boat insurance

Just read an interesting article in Jan. Bassmaster about boat insurance. Gist of it was, one needs to be aware of the coverage, especially during tournaments. 2 questions for the group
1. Has anyone ever had problems or been denied a claim because they were in a tournament?

2. Has anyone had any experience with a “boaters only” group such as Progressive or whatever it is advertised on the Jimmy and Billy shows. Are they credible companies? Do they hassle claimants? Are the rates better?

I currently have my insurance with State FArm, and have not had any problems on my two claims which were not tournament related. But I am getting a new boat this year and thought I’d search the field before signing up again. Thanks for the input!

dick

Progressive does not consider Tournament fishing to be a commercial risk and will cover it under there boat policy. This is not true for all companies, you may want to check with your SF agent.

It’s a good question to ask. My American Family policy covered it and it’s covered under my current Boat US policy.

Jon J.

This is a good question: I have both my guide insurance and boat insurance due. I have just started to ask around, I would need coverage for guiding (commerical liablity) and tournament fishing.
I may have to look into Progressive!

Bob, did you contact Anglers Advantage to get one policy?

No, I’m not aware of them?

Thanks in advance………

Bobber,

I just renewed my insurance through Anglers Advantage (fka…Greater Insurance Service?) Same people, new management? Derek, is this right?

Anyway, they have catered to my needs quite nicely last year. Professional tourney anglers and guides are welcomed with a nice defined package that works well for all your responsibilities throughout the year.

Here is a number I have for them;
1-800-747-4472
414 Atlas Avenue
Madison, WI

Todd Grams still affiliated with this new juncture?

Steve, you better check you AA policy. You no longer have professional liabilty insurance if you no longer have Markel as your carrier.

I had to switch from Great Insurance to Charter Lakes because Markel dropped Greater Insurance. If you want a comprehensive policy that includes Professional Liability check out Charter Lakes. I have been dealing with Nicole Luster.

Markel was the company that used to write the NPAA policy. If you want the same policy you had you will have to go through Charter Lakes now.

Scott. thats what is confusing to me. What is professional liability coverage outside of personal injury liability?

What I know about the guide insurance thing is this: “When it is for hire”……you need commerial liability guide insurance. The standard policy won’t cover you in this case.

I just switched from Progressive to Anglers Advantage because of problems with Progressive.I’ve never turned in a claim on the boat but I hit something this year in the river and needed it fixed,called my agent and took it to be fixed.Progressive denied the claim.First because they said it was not reported on time,then because they didn’t see the parts.I took it to a good repair shop not a back yard mech and I called my agent the same day it happened.Personal opinion they want our money and they want to KEEP IT.Anyways Give Anglers Advantage a try.Here’ the web site http://www.anglersadvantageins.com I also saved a lot money and it covers me in tourney’s.

Yes Bob thats right, but its the professional liability coverage that I don’t get. I have read I believe it covers you when doing sport shows and other such things, I’m just not sure what that means?

A bunch of the guides and outfitters around here use Philadelphia Insurance for their Commercial General Liablity and Commercial Inland Marine insurance. My agent is Greater Insurance out of Madison WI, (ask for Lynne) but any agent who carries Philadelphia Insurance can work with you.

Fishing local tournaments versus circuit events (PWT, RCL etc.)could put you in another categorie of liability especially when the circuit advertises itself as being for profesional fisherman with high stakes.

The key is commercial versus tournament and commercial versus professional.

Good discussion topic, I have Farmers Ins. and Progressive could not beat them. I do not guide or fish Pro tourneys but I do see some tournaments talk about 100K in professional liability coverage.
I have never found out about under water coverage, where I hear your lower unit is covered if you hit something. Anyboby have that, is it a rider??

Kevin is right about Philadephia, they offer a CGL (Commercial General Liability) policy, as do lots of carriers. The minimum premium for a CGL policy through Philadelphia is $1000.

Derek, Professional Liability is much different than BI or Bodily Injury. In simple terms BI covers you if you are negligent in causing bodily injury or harm to someone. However, it does not extend to certain situations. Certain situations that are not included in your Anglers Advantage policy such as Sport Shows, Charity events, Promotionals, etc. An easy way to think of it as if you are in your boat, you are most likely covered with the AA policy. If you are not in your boat, you are most likely not covered.

If you are looking for Professional Liability along with your guide/tournament coverage Markel has the best policy no doubt. That is the policy I carry for myself and my boat.

If you are running a guide service and have other guides working with you or for you a CGL is the best way to go by far. However, you still may need professional liability if you fish Tournaments.

don’t forget your agent – they are your best rep with the company … underwater damage is something my agent pointed out as the most frequent claim she handles ….. I’m with nationwide – home, car, boat, umbrella, life ….. you gotta have confidence that your agent will represent you well.
barry

I just received a Non-Renewal Notice from Mid-Century Insurance Company stating they will no longer insure BOATOWNERS in my state (Wisconsin). I have never filed a claim against my boat owner’s policy; however, I recently filed a claim against my ATV policy when my 4 wheeler burned while located at the dealer’s facility where it was being stored until it was sold (consignment). The ATV Policy was also with Mid-Century Insurance.
I wonder if there could be any correlation. As I will need to replace this insurance policy, I am soliciting opinions on what company(s) offer the best boat insurance coverage? Thanks,
Geronimo

D Man,
I also have Farmers Insurance and they recently bought Foremost Insurance. They want to replace my not to be re-newed Mid-Century Boat Owners Policy with a Foremost Policy with a premiun that is more than $ 100 higher! Does Farmers cover your boat owners or are you with another Insurance Company?
Geronimo

Foremost and Progressive both write boat policies that are similar. If you are just looking for boat insurance I can recommend both of these companies, as I write insurance for both of them. As someone stated earlier, an Agent is the best bet for these matters. Pick one that you can trust as they will be there for you when it comes time to actually use your insurance.

Thanks Scott,
Are you interested in some new business?
Geronimo

i have my boat insurance with state farm. I have not filed a claim against it, but then my boat is also over 20 years old. I have some on there incase it gets totaled out, I can get some money to replace it or have a down payment.

shane

I can certainly give you a quote if you are interested….My office number is (320) 597-2146 and AM’s are the best time to catch me in the office.

i am always in the mood to save a few bucks, more fishing lures. he he he!! i will give you a call.

shane

Eyejacker,
Mid Century (Farmers) no longer carries boats so Fermers moved me over the Foremost Ins. Reading my policy I do not see anything about underwater coverage that I make out. I’m paying $366 a year total annual premium on a 2001 1775 proV w/150hp and the trailer. I can never understand a insurance policy other than “how much does it cost”.

Thanks D Man,
My proposed new Foremost Policy Premium is $273 vs the old Mid-Century Premium of $167. That is an 63 % increase which seems a little steep. My boat boat is a 1998 Lund Mr Pike 16 with a 70 HP Johnson 4 Stroke.
Geronimo

Let’s get back to the Underwater Coverage for a monent. My Foremost agent a Farmer’s office tells me I have this Underwater coverage on my policy, but I do not see it mentioned in the policy as such. Can anyboby tell me if this is a separate rider or is it normally covered in a standard Foremost policy? Or what section of coverage will address this?

Does it say in your policy that the motor is covered for damage?

Hey Guys…

Just curious about what insurance plans cost for boats? Either Full Coverage or some type of liability??

Also–I’ve noticed that on some of my Tourny Entrance Forms, they ask for proof of boat insurance..Is that 100% necessary??

ok??

Can anybody tell me where you might go to get a boat appraised for insurance purposes?