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BoatUS Boat Insurance Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 4.5 / 5 (Excellent)
23 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
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The Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS) is an insurance provider that has exclusively supported the U.S. boating community for the past 50 years. The company offers a wide range of policies with exceptional benefits, add-on coverages, and a membership program with unlimited towing and other perks.

How is BoatUS rated?

Breakdown

4.5/5
Coverage & Benefits
0.0/5
Discounts
5.0/5
Customer Experience
4.5/5
Financial Strength & Reputation

Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5 (Excellent)

BoatUS Marine Insurance Program has 500,000 members and sells boat insurance products in all 50 states since 1966. It has superior financial ratings with all major credit rating agencies as well as an excellent rating with the Better Business Bureau. BoatUS cares about its customers, and it shows. Its website is extremely informative and provides detailed information on its generous policies and coverages. Because of its outstanding financial reputation, industry experience, and customer-centric values, BoatUS is among our top choices for boat insurance in the United States.

BoatUS Coverage & Benefits

Coverage & Benefits - 4.5 / 5

BoatUS offers comprehensive insurance options including agreed value, actual cash value, liability-only, and "only for anglers" policies. It also provides generous base coverages such as a $25k supplemental medical coverage, a fuel spill liability and clean up allowance, haul out coverage of up to 50% of the cost, and up to $1,000 for NOAA storm preparation. The company offers a variety of endorsement options for agreed value and actual value policies, including a premiere enhancement package that increases coverage for medical payments, personal effects, captain’s liability, and freeze protection. An unlimited towing option is available with a BoatUS membership. Policyholders who have a Geico auto insurance policy may also qualify for an additional multi-policy discount.
Policy Type
Agreed Value
Actual Cash Value
Coverages
Comprehensive
Collision
Bodily Injury Liability
Property Damage Liability
Medical Payments
Uninsured/Underinsured Boater
Boat Engine
Type of Boat
Small
Speedboat
Antique
Personal Watercraft
Yacht
Fishing
Sailboats
Pontoon Boat
Bass Boat
Leisure Boat
Sport Boat
Discounts
Multi-Policy
Boat Education Course
Benefits
Salvage Assistance
Fuel-Spill Liability
24/7 Dispatch
Fuel Spill Cleanup

BoatUS Customer Experience

Customer Experience - 5 / 5

BoatUS offers 24/7 claims processing, online accounts with auto-pay, and flexible payment options. Its membership includes an unlimited towing benefit as well as discounts for fuel, slip fees, boating equipment, and more at several marina stores. It also provides free fuel delivery and jump starts, roadside trailer assistance, boat financing, access to information from a sophisticated hurricane tracking center, and six annual issues of BoatUS Magazine, among other perks.
Online Quotes
24/7 Claims
Online Account
Additional Resources
Articles
FAQs

BoatUS Financial Strength & Reputation

Financial Strength & Reputation - 4.5 / 5

BoatUS has superior financial ratings with two of the major U.S. credit rating agencies: A.M. Best and Moody's. The company is a subsidiary of Geico Marine Insurance, which holds a Better Business Bureau rating of A- with only a single negative customer review and five complaints. Its NAIC complaint ratio for 2017 is well below the national median.
Company Type
Subsidiary/ Partner
Year Founded
1966
NAIC Marketshare (2017)
0.52%
NAIC Complaint Ratio (2017)
0.12
NAIC Total Complaints (2017)
1
NAIC Direct Premiums Earned (2017)
$265,587,538
AM Best Financial Rating
A++
Standard & Poor's Financial Rating
AA+
Moody's Financial Rating
Aa1
BBB Rating
A-
Number of BBB Negative Reviews
1
Date Collected
2018-04-19

Company Profile

Full Name
BoatUS Boat Insurance
Company Website
Headquarters
880 South Pickett Street, Alexandria, VA, 22304

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23 Customer Comments & Reviews

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Ed b
3/24/2021
They have been wonderful until this renewal deprecated the boat value by $15,000 this I understand but to raise the premium by $731.00 I don’t. When I called they wanted to know what other policies I have with them so they could give me a discount. Refused to explain the increase just said that what is my new rate. No claims I don’t have a deductible.


D
David B
3/19/2021
I have used BoatUS insurance for over 20 years. During that time I filed one minor claim which was handled promptly and efficiently. I have always considered BoaUS to be a reputable company and an advocate for consumer rights. My trust and confidence have been significantly eroded over the past few years after BoatUS turned to GEICO to administer their marine insurance program. Premium costs to BoatUS members have risen annually under their stewardship. Over the last four years the annual premium on my 1988 Searay 390 has doubled from $818 in 2018 to $890 in 2019 to 1,083 in 2020 and now $1,544 for2021. The only change in these policies has been a decrease in "agreed value" of... Read More


R
Richard M
9/9/2020
My boat sank after 15 years with boat us and while they paid they immediately dropped my insurance. Never had a claim in all that time. Would not even give me liability insurance. I bought the boat back and repaired it. Didn't even request a survey to reissue. I even have my car insurance with Geico who is boat us carrier. Perfect driving record for forty years. Nothing. Very disappointing.


C
Chris W
9/8/2020
DON'T USE BOATUS!!! If you have a gas tank problem or fuel hose problem and it leaks into the bilge they will NOT cover it! They should have to specify exactly what is not covered. I understand depreciation and can agree with that but to exclude because of ware and tear is *****! I've already contacted a lawyer and will pursue a claim through them. I'm definitely changing insurance companies.


H
Hunter S
8/25/2020
I have used BoatUS insurance on my sailboat for probably 20+ years . I've had one or two claims that you paid promptly . Recently , the outboard motor on my boat somehow got wrenched off its mount during a severe micro-burst storm. I retrieved the motor and took it to a repair shop that got it running again quite well. The bill for their efforts was $125 as explained to your adjuster who found their fee quite reasonable. BoatUS/ Geico denied my claim based on some obscure caveat that storm damage was not covered . Why in the world would I have insurance that didn't cover storm damage? I assure you that I'll go elsewhere for my boat insurance once my current plan with BoatUS/Geico... Read More


Eric B
8/19/2020
I had a terrible experience with BoatUS, it took over 11 weeks for our claim to be processed. I made dozens of phone calls trying to find out the status of the claim. We called multiple times to find out if they needed anything else and they said no. We received an email saying they needed more pictures when they had said NO earlier in the day and the weeks before. Our boat Marina emailed the pictures to BoatUS which they never loaded. I was copied on the email, so I know they were sent. I had to load them myself, because BoatUS did not. They do not return phone calls or follow up. We tried for weeks to talk to the person managing our claim, no answer and their emails was full. I... Read More


Cyndee F
6/26/2020
My boat broke down today thank God I have BoatUs. They came right away and Captain John was the bomb. He took us right to the dock. Thanks a million.


Jon R
4/22/2020
Boat US a rip off, Below letter sent to Boat US claims office: To say I am disappointed and disgusted with the findings and treatment of the Surveyor, Armadillo Marine Consultants XXX XXXX, and the treatment from Boat US personnel who handled my claim is an understatement. There was no consideration of customer service or open dialogue. No calls were returned, ever, after the initial filings even when I specifically requested to make that part of the process. The mechanic/repair facility was never given a call back after many attempts by the head mechanic, his time and business treated in an unprofessional manner. The interaction with your surveyor from day one towards the shop I... Read More


D
David F
1/7/2020
I had my new 19' BassTracker broken into and had all my professional bass rods and reels and gear stolen.....I was devastated , there was well over $5,000 worth of gear and electronics stolen. I called the police and made a report and called Boat US Insurance. They informed me that none of my gear was covered. BUYER BEWARE.....if it isn't welded to your boat and double bolted with the bolts sheared off....you are wasting your money with this company. If you intend to insure your boat go with Progressive and make SURE you ask for "personal effects coverage". That is what I have done.


ldkmom86
7/20/2019
We’ve been sitting on the side of the road now for four hours. We’ve called and spoke to several people and have been told something different from each person. The first tow company that was sent out their truck was too small. The tow company blamed it on boatus for not clarifying how big the boat actually was. The tow company is now sending out another tow truck that is bigger but will only tow us 6 miles down the road because he’s at his limit for the day. Boatus wouldn’t even offer to find anyone else when I asked. So now we have to leave our boat at an unknown location two hours from home and come back tomorrow to fix a blown tire. Boatus is a absolute waste of money!!



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