BoatUS?

Audrey II

Audrey II

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Joined
Aug 5, 2008
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30499
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Anybody know what's going on with BoatUS I just found out my policy has been transferred to Geico. I can't be the only one does anyone know what's up?
 
http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/2015/04/ownership-boatus-transferred-geico/ "In 2007, BoatUS was sold by founder and former chairman Richard Schwartz to Berkshire Hathaway-owned subsidiary National Indemnity Co.

In January, BoatUS was transferred in a change of ownership to Geico, another Berkshire Hathaway company, but one that BoatUS said is better suited to help it grow.":
 
They could not have handled the transfer more poorly! With no information they sent out bills that where dis-guarded because it seemed like they where trying to get us to change companies not inform us they are the new company. As a result our policy lapsed without our knowledge as soon as we realized we got it reinstated but this could have been a disaster! I have thought about changing companies a few years ago but BoatUS adjusted the bill so I stayed now had I known this change I may have shopped for the best deal before it ran out but I had no time I had to resign ASAP as a result.

I happen to use Geico for all my other insurance and have since I was 16 all except boat insurance because they where always to high!
 
BoatUS was never an underwriter. They are one of the larger agents for Progressive, Geico, etc., but they're just an agent.

Shop around and get the best deal. BoatUS insurance never worked for me but Progressive (via NBOA) did. We did that "trailer the boat to FL from MD and cross to the Abacos" numerous times. Progressive would cover that but BoatUS wouldn't (even though they sold Progressive coverage). Go figure! I bought that 1976 trawler from BillyIII and it only took a call to Progressive to cover it (no survey needed). Go figure.

While shopping, Dave, give NBOA a call and let them run some policies for you: https://www.nboat.com/
 
Kurt the problem is BoatUS had always sent their own bills now I'm getting bills from Geico marine which being we didn't know took over these bills were thrown away as junk mail and my policy lapsed. Now I had no time to shop around because I had to get cover ASAP so we reactivated the policy for yet another year. I have not idea it may be a great deal?
 
I was with another broker and company until I sold my boat back in early June. Then I shopped my kids 18' bowrider around a bit and BOAT US had the best price so I put their boat with them. They are agents for GEICO. I'm just a little bit apprehensive.
Although I've never had personal experience with GEICO, others who have over the years have told me that they have good prices, but if you put in a claim they look to drop you. Hopefully I'll never have to find out if it's true.
 
FWIW, When the switch came (I got notified in plenty of time by BoatUS by mail and eMail) I renewed. I checked several other companies, and none beat them--especially the 'stated value' clause I have.
 
I have all my insurance through USAA which actually insures through Progressive. When I insured the 1988 Wellcraft I only got liability ($100 annual premium)since the boat had a small value. When we bought the SR this month I called Progressive/USAA to change the insurance and to get collision, comprehensive, etc ($500 deductible) since this boat has some value. The new premium is $110. Sweet.
 
Dave as you know I gave up on BOAT/US after Sandy. I was not happy the way they handled the claim, and when I called to insure the Sea Ray the premium was over 300% more than what I was paying for the Silverton. You know who I went to and the premium was less than I was paying and for a better policy no less. I am not a Boat/US fan for insurance.
 
Just a month or two ago, I paid my annual premium to BoatUS, but the switch was supposedly last January? Something doesn't seem right.
 
When I got the Geico statement, I called BoatUS to find out what was going on. They informed me that the policies were switched to Geico. Comparing the old and the new policies, I found a premium increase of about $40. The policy was renewed because I have automatic payment with my charge card. Before next year's renewal, I'll shop around, but right now I had more pressing things to be concerned with. I worry more about all the uninsured, uneducated, untrained boaters out there than I do about which company BoatUS uses. Hy
 
BoatUS, sent me an email 4 months in advance that said the underwriter would be changing to GEICO. It came as no surporise to me.
 
I got no email nor did it get so much as a mention on their forum which I'm one of the only active members. My wife believes the only mail we got must have come as Geico marine envelope which we assumed to be a solicitation and was thrown away being we didn't have Geico marine insurance so we thought. As for Geico as I have mentioned I have been using them as long as I have been driving and I use them for home owners as well. I have had several claims with them and they have been great. They have never threatened to cancel my policy even when I was concerned the might. I'm in the middle of a suit from an accident my son had close to three years ago and so far they have been handling things well but it is a little early to be sure. I have an additional umbrella policy with them as well which might get put to the test before this is over. I have no real issues with them taking over my boat policy accept many years ago when I priced them for my boat they were much higher then BoatUS.
As for Victoria Secret issue I had a claim at the same time as you and they could not have been better for me at the time. I have spoken to your agent and while he is a very nice guy in fact he just linked in requested me this past week his price was a little less then BoatUS, I had to beat BoatUS up a bit to get them down to within a couple of dollars. Having had such a good experience with them in the past I wasn't about to leave. Now I feel as though they have left me so I may have to reconsider!
 
BTW I posted a similar thread on the BoatUS site and I have not gotten a single response not even from a Mod which in the past if I ever said anything negative on about them on their site they would jump on me and rectify any problem quickly. I have to wonder is there anyone left at BoatUS to even look at the forum?
 
I got a message from them well in advance explaining the move and my premium actually dropped for the same coverage. No issues for me.
 
" I got a message from them well in advance explaining the move and my premium actually dropped for the same coverage.' Quote by JohnC above.

Same for me. The message did not come in a solicition looking envelope.

Pete
 
I use NBOA and they have me with a company called STAR.
That is the same company that paid me off for Sandy.
No complaints.
Any insurance company that steps to the plate and does what they are suppose to do is okay with me.
 
I have progressive and when I added basic coverage to my center console, my premium went DOWN by $17 since I now had a multi vessel policy...lol
 
quote:
Originally posted by Intrepid

" I got a message from them well in advance explaining the move and my premium actually dropped for the same coverage.' Quote by JohnC above.

Same for me. The message did not come in a solicition looking envelope.

Pete

Click to expand...


Who sent the notice BoatUS or Geico? Anything from Geico Marine went straight in the trash.
 
Dave anything I got from Geico always went into the trash too, it came from BoatUS. I didn't know what is was so i opened it as I have insurance and Tow Boat with them. This was snail mail, not email. I opened it and was advised I would be receiving a notice about the change. Several months later when the renewal came, I was expecting an increase but was pleasantly surprised when it was less for the same coverage.

Pete
 
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