Anyone have any experience with MARKEL Insurance??

ANYTIME

ANYTIME

New Member
Dec 3, 2006
345
Northern Virginia
Boat Info
Boatless
Engines
Boatless
All,

Thanks for the replies.

My current insurance is with Zurich through the Global Marine Agency. My policy's Agreed Hull Value is rounded to the nearest $1k over the total purchase price, including taxes, registration, optional insurance, etc.; Liability coverage of $1Mill, Medical Payments, Personal Effects, Named Storm Towing, etc. All in all, an excellent policy for a cost of about $1100. My coverage area is from Wachapreague Inlet, VA (spelling??) down to Duck, NC not to exceed 50 miles from the coast, and the entire Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. My in the water layup period is from 30 November to 24 March.

The policy expires in November and I am just wanting to be sure that I have the best policy at a reasonable price.

This past week, USAA first quoted me a price with Progressive and the coverage wasn't as good as Zurich and the cost was double. Then they recommended Markel as an alternative. The coverage is okay, but the cost is about the same. I just requested a copy of the actual policy that Markel writes to be able to compare "apples to apples".

I expect I will stay with Global Marine/Zurich. They seem like great folks to work with, are almost always available, and by using their Caller ID, when they answer the phone, they almost always have my information in front of them.
 
My original policy is about to expire and I am looking at other insurers. Working with USAA, they have offered an attractive policy underwritten by Markel American Insurance Company.

The policy has some attractive features, but I wanted input from fellow boaters on any additional information they may offer on this company before making any decisions.
 
I've not heard of them, but I can tell you 3 quotes I have so far for my boat but it won't be much of a comparison since I have a different boat and boat all year long.

Drive Insurance (Progressive) renewal is $1069 (3 payments)
Nationwide through SkiSafe is $978 (1 payment)
Allstate wanted $1800+ :wow: (1 payment)

I'd like to find something cheaper but no luck so far.
 
USAA is now farming out any new marine policies to Progressive Drive insurance.

My quote for a 2007 260 Sundancer was $1060 also as the gentleman above with a 10% discount if I paid it all up front. Deductibles all $1500.

Total replacement value include tax, title and license, comprehensive and $150K for underinsured or non insured boaters. $5k medical.

Cdr. Augs
 
I had BoatUS for over 10 years and switched to INMAR through: http://www.boatinsurance.net/. Great agency and I saved over $200 (>20%) for the policy over BoatUS and have more coverage now.

Have not heard of Markel but as stated before, lots of farming out by USAA (which I have had since 1972 for my cars). I reinsured my motorcycle and they pushed me to Progressive. Cost me more and had to pay one year up front... So I dropped them for m/c insurance.
 
When choosing an insurance company I always consider their credit rating, the ability for them to pay a claim. I was not able to find a rating on Markel insurance but I did find one for their parent company Markel Corp - S&P rates them BBB-
I use Travellers (S&P rates AA) and get a good price. Maybe beause they have all my business (auto/boat/home/etc) with them - I pay about 1,200 for my 320 Sundancer
 
I had my Harley Davidson insured with Markel. Never had a claim, but service was very good, and they had the lowest premium available. I was paying a little over $400 for a new Road King. The dealer recommended them. They were underwriters for BikeLine insurance.

I didn't know they also insured boats. I'm with BoatUS.
 
I had a claim with them last year and was treated promptly and fairly. It was my first and only claim experience and considering it was several $$$, I was pleased with the no-big red tape experience.
 
I gave Global Marine a shout MoonDancer.

The best they could do for me was $1700 a year where I already have a quote from Drive insurance for a renewal of $1068. Living in Florida sucks for insurance.
 
Sam this is a bit late....but I have Markel via USAA.....they take payments nicely......knock on wood, no claims as of yet...Been with them a little over a year.....USAA's endorsement is what prompted the switch from Allstate...along with Allstate raising the premium for the newer boat
Pete
 
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I use Progressive and USAA directed me there too. Their rates seem reasonable and they're easy to deal with. Of course, I haven't had to deal with them on a claim, but feel since USAA recommends them I would rely on them if I had any issue. I've used USAA for 35 years for cars, homes, etc. and they're the best in my book!

Good luck!
 
kg4vgh said:
Sam this is a bit late....but I have Markel via USAA.....they take payments nicely......knock on wood, no claims as of yet...Been with them a little over a year.....USAA's endorsement is what prompted the switch from Allstate...along with Allstate raising the premium for the newer boat
Pete
Click to expand...

Pete,

Not too late at all. I asked USAA to send the actual policy so I could compare the coverages between Markel and Zurich. My current policy doesn't expire until the middle of November.

Thanks and 73 de Sam K4KAI (My original callsign in 1956)
 
How about for a 340 in Florida? Any ideas? USAA/Progressive won't cover it.
 
To all who responded to my question, Thank You !! :smt038

We have finally received the quote and proposed policy for Markel from USAA and carefully compared it to our existing policy from Global Marine/Zurich. Here are my observations:
  • The policy costs were nearly the same, but Coverages differed significantly.
  • The responses to queries were quicker from Global Marine/Zurich. Global Marine emailed "pdf" quotes to me; USAA mailed them to me. When I would call, I had to leave voicemail at USAA, there was always a familiar voice at Global Marine.
  • The Coverages were generally greater with Global Marine/USAA:
  1. Personal Property with USAA was $2500 and $5000 with Global Marine
  2. Emergency Towing was $750 with USAA and $1000 with Global Marine
  3. Electronic Navigation Equipment deductible with USAA was $1580 and $250 with Global Marine
  4. Hurricane Protection not offered with USAA and $3000 with Global Marine (they pay 50% of costs up to $3k to move boat out of "harms way" and then relaunch after the danger has passed, in the event of a Named Storm)
  5. The Navigating Limits of USAA are the Chesapeake Bay and Tributaries and for Global Marine, in addition the Chesapeake Bay and Tributaries, they also include the Atlantic Ocean (up to 50 miles from the coast) as far north as Wachapreague Inlet, VA and as far south as Duck, NC.
I notified USAA that I would not be needing their policy and will be renewing my Global Marine policy in November. :thumbsup:
 
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