Bass boat insurance- who's best?

[twopars]

I just bought a new 2002 Nitro 882 and I was a little shocked when my insurance bill came. I had an aluminum Tracker before and paid $120/year. The new figure was $550!!!. It is with Farmers Ins. Co. Anyone have an idea what insurance for a new bassboat should cost? It has a Mercury 150h.p. Optimax engine on it. The new boat cost approx 2.5 times what my old one did but the insurance is 4 times as expensive! What have you guys found?

 

[dwarrick]

Re: Bass boat insurance- who's best?

We made a similar mistake using State Farm insurance for our 25 boat it was costing us about 650 per year we changed over to Boat US insurance for our new boat. Which is valued at about 60K our insurance cost us $325 per year. Check them out I think you will find they are much cheaper. No I don't work for BOAT US.

 

[ajp]

Re: Bass boat insurance- who's best?

I agree, BoatUS is the way to go. You also get a good boating magazine, and newsletter.

 

[jackc]

Re: Bass boat insurance- who's best?

Progressive Insurance is a board sponsor. If you go to the iboats home page, there is a tab that reads "boat insurance". You can fill it the questionaire and get a quote in about two minutes.

 

[495v]

Re: Bass boat insurance- who's best?

I just went to Progressive because I got this offer through overton's for a free quote. I currently pay about $375 and progressive just quoted me at $1000 for the same coverage. What's up with that. I think their a little out of the ball park!

 

[bertherr]

Re: Bass boat insurance- who's best?

I too have a new boat this year. My insurance was going to be much higher than I expected until I insured with Boats US. Now, I have never made a claim with Boats US. Anyone have any experience with a claim through Boats US? Maybe lower cost up front does not equal lower cost in the end. Bert

 

[Codedog]

Re: Bass boat insurance- who's best?

Hey Twopars - check out Twin Rivers Marine Insurance in Antioch, CA. They are a broker and can shop around for you for the best price & coverage. I just insured my new Crestliner through them (Zurich) and it was less than I expected. Call 1-800-259-5701 and ask for Gary or Bob. They also have a web site (I haven't looked at it yet) www.boatinsuranceonly.com

 

[philtheskipper]

Re: Bass boat insurance- who's best?

Boat US is the way to go! I would pay a little extra for the extra towing insurance also. It saved me 2 times and just had to show them my Boat US card and it covered the bill 100%.

 

[legend602]

Re: Bass boat insurance- who's best?

I just bought (On Monday) a 2001 nitro NX 882 w/150hp engine. Through State Farm I'm paying about $385/yr for full coverage insurance (boat & trailor) with a $250 deductable. It was about $330/yr with a $500 deductable.<br /><br />-Mike

 

[Codedog]

Re: Bass boat insurance- who's best?

The thing to look at is how the insurer is going to handle a claim. Fer'instance - your boat gets swamped and sinks to the rail. You need to have it recovered. However it's full of gas & oil so the environmental folks get involved. You need to have the site "contained" or secured prior to your boat being lifted or moved. The cost for this could be $2K to $3K. Will your insurer cover this additional cost, or not? <br /><br />Will say, State Farm depreciate the value of your engine from the day it was purchased? Do they use straight-line depreciation? Do they cover lower unit damage for hitting submerged obstacles, or engine damage due to sudden occurances (i.e. burying your lower unit in a sandbar or mud and overheating)?<br /><br />Just some things to consider when you are looking at boat insurance!

 

[twopars]

Re: Bass boat insurance- who's best?

Thanks for the input guys! I'll definately check out Boat Us ins. co. for a quote. Progressive turned out to be nearly as expensive as Farmers so the search continues. I'm currently covered under my Farmers policy so I'm OK while I look.<br />

 

[Adversary98]

Re: Bass boat insurance- who's best?

I just bought a new boat with a Volvo Penta 5.7 Gxi - 320 hp. Horsepower makes sometimes a big difference in prepium paid, always some difference. Anyway, my annual premium from American Family Insurance is only $216 per year and includes: towing (land or water), environmental cleanup, and the usual liability and comprehensive coverages. $250 deductible.

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Bass boat insurance- who's best?

I'm very familiar with the State Farm policy, especially in Oregon & Washington...<br />You'll find that many companies list the important pollution coverage separatly as a lower amount. You need as much coverage as you can get, and it should, at least, be included as part of your regular (high) liability coverage. State Farm covers the boat, motor and trailer on an agreed amount(between the insured and the company) for total losses, repair or replacement for other than total losses. <br />Of big-time importance on the west coast is the territory covered: from Ensadada, Baja Ca, to Cape Spencer, AK, + 75 miles out. That's a big deal if one goes fishing or cruising off-shore, Puget Sound or Canada; probably not so important to a bass fisherman!

 

[twopars]

Re: Bass boat insurance- who's best?

Well, I just got a quote from BoatUS and it was $563!. What's the deal. I'm a relativly old fart with a spotless driving record. How are you guys getting such inexpensive quotes? Is it the particular boat that I bought? Oh well- I'll keep looking

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Bass boat insurance- who's best?

Location is one of the key factors in rates....here in Fort Lauderdale Florida, it's hard to find ANYBODY who will write me...and then it is out of site....My aluminum 14' 40 hp new bass boat is 250.00 bucks PER/MONTH if I wan't it!!!! (Full coverage with full replacement value)

 

[Fathom]

Re: Bass boat insurance- who's best?

FlyBoyMark makes a good point. Location is a key factor in your quote. Just recently I applied for insurance at Boat US for the Chesapeake Bay. When I originally filled out the application I told them I wanted to navigate my boat within 30 miles of the Bay on coastal waters. This quote ended up being $330/yr. Then I changed the region to just the Chesapeake and it's tributaries (no coastal waters). The final quote ended up being $210/yr, which is actually what I want. So, to sum it up, pay close attention to how you fill out the application. What seems insignificant can actually cost a lot of money. Plus, you should call a representative rather than using these "quick" quote sites. A lot of times these reps can help you with the costs.

 

[RJS]

Re: Bass boat insurance- who's best?

Two Pars<br /><br />Location, Location, Location.<br />It depends where you boat at and not necessarily your record. For example, if I claimed that I lived in Lomg Island, New York my insurance would be much greater than claiming that I live in New Jersey, even though I would navigate the same bay.