BoatUS / Seatow worth the cost ?

B

Bob & Sue

Active Member
Jun 3, 2011
1,637
Browns Point Tacoma WA
Boat Info
Sold 1999 270DA Sundancer
Engines
5.7l Mercuiser
BoatUS / Seatow is worth the cost

On June 5th we had a shift cable shear while at the fuel dock about 2 miles from our marina which is in an inlet we called BoatUS for a tow back to our marina because they were not responding to our hailing I called the 800 number an operator came back after about 3 minutes and said he should be there any minute he's in the same marina as you are. He showed up a couple minutes later walking to the fuel dock told me all 3 of his boats were broke down being repaired in the marina. We left our boat in a guest slip overnight and got a ride back to our car at the time it kind of ticked me off, he had our boat back at our home marina by 10:00 the next morning. I called BoatUS to vent a little they offered a 1 year refund of the premium while keeping our policy active I told them I was just letting them know what happened so maybe they could rectify the problem as we had no out of pocket cost.
Today I just received the invoice for the tow that BoatUS paid which really surprised me at the amount charged for a 2 mile tow in a 5 mph zone the total cost was $371.25. Anybody not having tow insurance should definately rethink their reason for not having it. I was told they charge a minimum $250.00 hookup fee then it is by the minute to tow you. Best $125.00 I ever spent we have Puget Sound Inland Waters and Canada.
 
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sfergson727 said:
Due diligence suggests though, that you make sure that BoatUS has the ability to assist in the area you boat in, there are plenty of waterways and lakes in which they don't have services available.
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Good advice Scott. Seatow is no where near where I boat on the Potomac and BoatUs is just across the river. I renew every year but have not needed it. Knock on fiberglass.
 
sfergson727 said:
I get it every year. What I really like, is that I am covered for all my boats with my membership, and according to BoatUS, any boat that I happen to be on. (haven't put that to the test though, I am somewhat skeptical) But at the very least, I know my 340 and whaler are covered.


I used BoatUS insurance when my buddy and I ran his Ski Natique aground in Georgia with no question asked.
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2000SEARAY280SS said:
Good advice Scott. Seatow is no where near where I boat on the Potomac and BoatUs is just across the river. I renew every year but have not needed it. Knock on fiberglass.
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I did contact Seatow after BoatUS had all their boats in for repair I was told they would issue a policy even though there is no coverage in my area all they would do is relay the tow to BoatUS and pay the bill with no out of pocket cost BoatUs also does this she told me. BoatUS does have coverage almost everywhere we plan on going but it is broke up into coverage areas where one area ends another boat picks up they are all independent contractors.
I spoke to my boat insurance company about the $1000.00 tow coverage that is included at no extra charge in my policy they told me if I was out of coverage area for BoatUS I could use this to have the boat towed by any means such as small tug or marina tow service to an area where BoatUS would take over, so for an extra $18.00 per year I had the $1000.00 bumped up to $3000.00 the only drawback is this is out of pocket coverage with reimbursement after filing a claim. I also read the fineprint in the policy it states the wording almost exactly what I was told. Hopefully I'll never find out knock on wood, fiberglass etc.
 
I have had SeaTow since my first boat, the 176BR. I had the ignition go out on me in the middle of the St. Johns river - total out of pocket cost for the tow - $0. Cost if I hadnt been a member - $380. Then on Saturday, second time out in the new boat (260DA), had it die on me just about in the same spot as the last one. 2.5 hour tow, total cost would have been $580. Total cost to me - $0. (FYI....threw in a new IAC Sun AM and was good to go again!). Id say yes, its worth it. We all like to think we do everything we can to make sure we never break down - but Im not ready to eat a $1000 tow bill if I break down.

EDIT: I also never told SeaTow I had sold the 176BR and bought the 260DA, and they towed the 260DA no problem - just explained I had sold it when they asked what boat I was on.
 
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Bob & Sue said:
I did contact Seatow after BoatUS had all their boats in for repair I was told they would issue a policy even though there is no coverage in my area all they would do is relay the tow to BoatUS and pay the bill with no out of pocket cost BoatUs also does this she told me.
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They did not tell me that at the boat show a few years back. I will ask them next time I see them. Choices are always good.
 
I was towed by BoatUS 2 weekends ago. The cost would have been $493 if I didn't have the membership. Best $149 a year I ever spent!
 
I have been towed once on Georgian Bay. Had a hydro-lock 15 miles from the marina 4 years ago. Had no tow insurance. It was $500 for the tow (had to pay at a rate per hour both ways plus his fuel cost). Its $59.00 a year for our short season here in Canada. Annual tow insurance is money well spent IMHO (he said, after shelling out $500)
 
sfergson727 said:
Due diligence suggests though, that you make sure that BoatUS has the ability to assist in the area you boat in, there are plenty of waterways and lakes in which they don't have services available.
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When I signed up they said I have $2500 in tow coverage out of the BoatUS system. MM
 
Tow insurance is just like any other insurance, you pay for it and not very often do you use it. But when you need it its great. I have had it for years and never used it, same as my liability and comprehensive as well. To me its a comfort level knowing its there if I need it and I have someone on standby to get me off the lake if I need them. I have the sticker with the phone # and the radio channel beside the mike so there is no question on who to call if we ever need a tow. I probably paid more than a tow over the years on tow insurance that i never used but I always feel comfortable knowing I have it when im 23-30 miles away from my dock.
 
I have had the coverage with BoatUS for years and never used it until last year. I was about 60 miles from my home port, they towed me back, put me in the slip and the bill was $2800. I had the unlimited coverage which actually has a limit of $2500, so my out of pocket for the 11 1/2 hour tow was $300. No complaints, I think I had paid like $135 or so for the coverage in total that year. Well worth it. I did up the coverage to their next level for a few more bucks that has a limit of $3000, but I hope tht I never have to use it, 11 1/2 hours under tow was a really long day. I must say that they were really great, it was a reallly hot day and the guys on the tow boat made sure that we had enough water and ice for the trip. About half way into the trip the tow boat had to stop for fuel, so they put us on the hook while they went in and fueled up. While they were in there getting fuel they re-stocked us with drinks and ice. You cant ask for much more than that.

Scott W.
 
MonacoMike said:
When I signed up they said I have $2500 in tow coverage out of the BoatUS system. MM
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Hey Mike,
Same here....when we needed a tow last year, Boat US was not available,:huh: we called seatow which spent over an hour getting us off a sand bar and towing us 2 miles to the marina at a cost of $900.00 to us , we wrote a check that day to sea tow and contacted the Boat US the next day and that within 5 days Boat US sent us a check for the full amount, and we also of course signed up to seatow:smt001
 
Mvoellinger how long did it take for Sea Tow to arrive? I have been told to have both Boat US and Sea Tow as one is typically more prevalent in one area versus the other.

Mvoellinger, what is you new boats name? You ever get up around Lamb's Yacht Center located in the Ortega?
 
I've had Boat U.S. unlimited towing since I've owned a boat going on 6 years now. A couple of times before my membership dues are up I have emailed them asking about the area I bought in and if there is a Towboat U.S. nearby. They are not super close, butI am within their area. In any case each time I have asked, the email reply has said that if a Towboat is not available, they would coordinate with another towing company and pay for it anyway. From the above remarks, it sounds like that is true.

Tom
 
You guys should work for them... you sold me! I got the boat and the trailer unlimited.
I won't worry as much anymore.
 
Both companies serve our lake, but BoatUS was $60 less per year than Seatow. I signed us up with BoatUS, will put the savings in the gas tank!
 
I think that that Boat U S is the best of the two , nothing but problems from tow boat,and hefty charges. They towed a 22 ' sport boat about 15 miles for over $650.00.. I was suppose to have full coverage on a new boat.for 30 days free ,what a joke ! (on me) ..Rip
 
I do like the Boat U.S. magazine that you get as part of the subscription too. And their website for members is pretty nice. It's the first place I go to check the local marine weather forecast for the area I'll be boating in.

Tom
 
worth every cent for tow boat (boat usa ) broke a shaft on the right side about 14 miles off the coast of stuart florida coming back from the bahamas, sent a boat out right away. all the time making sure we were ok by phone and radio, towed us in to a repair shop, even took my wife back to our home dock to pick up are car in the pouring rain. no cost to us at all
 
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