Stopped by the GLB booth last night and met Dan Kimmel. Let him know that after researching boat insurance I settled on Worldwide Marine. Bob Luellen was fantastic to deal with. He really understands what is needed on a boat. He offered me a great package at a very reasonable price. I can't believe that for so many yrs I had incomplete coverage thru my hoeowners policy. I have never had a claim and moving forward I hope I never do but i now have peace of mind knowing I'm covered.
I surely need to do something. I am in the process of buying a new home and with the vehicle accident a couple of years go, the boat claim is driving up my home owners $300 a year! Bad time to switch as I don't want to deal with it as there is so much stuff going on right now. On the other hand, that is a ton of cash!
I had State Farm and when my engine blew up, they refused to cover it saying it was normal wear, but they covered the repair cost of the skeg for hitting the log that blew it up!! So I switched to Worldwide. Had to talk to Bob last year, as I took my boat in to find out what was wrong with my engine, only to find out that when Tim and I got hit by lightning :o on the water that it fried all the electrical in the motor. They sent an adjuster the next day, and had the repairs going in no time. I would recommend Bob to ANYONE looking for insurance. Period.
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If you tournament fish you really should look into Boat US insurance. They have a GREAT policy for anglers that covers everything from blown motor repair to entry fees should you not be able to complete the event. Like many of you I had my boat on my homeowners policy, and when I blew my motor last year during a tournament they would not cover ANY of my loss. Not a dime.
Check Boat US... they do NOTHING but boat insurance and they know their stuff.
I know Bob Luellen, great guy and he does offer some decent policies.. but I don't believe they offer the tournament coverage that Boat US does.
I have not heard of Boat US before. Where are they out of? That is handy that they deal with tournament fees and what not. I appreciate the info.
Bob will get you a better deal than Boat US. You have to call him to find out. 1-800-339-1235 / 517-627-8080
Bob Luellen helped design some of the best known marine insurance programs out there, has fished tournaments (bass and walleye) and works with a large number of insurance companies to get you the best coverage at the best rate for your personal situation. How does he do this? He asks you about what an underwriter should ask you because he knows what he is doing for our kind of boating! All Bob does is marine insurance. He knows what all the marine insurance policies cover and don't cover. That's who I would get my marine insurance from. I was so happy when Bob asked to be a part of GreatLakesBass.com because he is the best in the entire business.
Boat US has a depreciation built into their policy for older boats that cuts your benefit by 10% every year older than 5. 8 year old boat means 30% reduction in your benefit.
They also have a $5,000 limit on fishing gear - that's the highest you can get. If that includes graphs/gps, many of us nowadays would not get all our gear replaced in a catastrophic loss. I wouldn't be interested in getting a $200 entry back if I had a major loss. I'd be interested in getting my boat, motor and gear fixed/replaced the way I thought it was going to get fixed!
That's what Bob will make sure you are covered for. Personally. I do like the separate Boat US unlimited towing package for the Great Lakes, but I would still check with Bob at Worldwide Marine (http://worldwidemarineins.com) towing coverage first to see if he can beat. They are pretty good at beating prices at Worldwide Marine Underwriters! As far as an actual real insurance policy to protect the boat, motor, trailer and all your gear, Bob will make sure you get the best coverage at the best price for your individual situation. Period.
If you do have a quote from someone else that seems to provide the coverage you need at the best price, Bob will tell you that honestly. He's been in the business a long time and his reputation for integrity is very important to him.
If you work with Bob for your marine insurance, he will make sure you don't have any unpleasant surprises if and when you ever actually need to use your insurance. I've talked to way too many fellow boaters over the year who haven't found out until it was unpleasant that they weren't covered the way they thought they way. None of these boaters went through Bob. Bob and the nice people at Worldwide Marine will tell you if they can't find the best coverage for your personal situation. Please, please do yourself a favor and make sure you are really covered the way you think you are BEFORE you need it. Confirm that by talking to someone with Bob's industry-leading expertise before getting it from someone else or assuming. It is a big favor you can do yourself!
Many policies have limits that won't cover all your gear on and in your boat. Some policies won't cover you on the Great Lakes - they consider that coastal waters. Some policies won't cover you if you are in a tournament or being paid to guide (commercial). Don't find out the hard way! Call Bob! 1-800-339-1235
With the depreciation statement, it doesn't sound worth while unless you have a brand new boat. Mine is 11 years old, that means 60% depreciation? I've got more coverage than that through my insurance company. I don't particularly like my insurance company, and would like to go elsewhere. But, I can't pay someone to insure me, and in the event of a claim, tell me my boat is worthless. I have already gotten the run around from my insurance company when my Nitro got hit by that Blazer. ???
When you get a chance, call Bob. Most of the people who actually call him are very happy they did so. I've known Bob throughout the boating industry for so long I'm not sure when I actually first met him. I know it was when he was selling bass boats for a marine dealer when the Ranger 361 came out with the first full, front raised deck - sometime in the early to mid-80's. He was the best, most honest salesman I'd ever met. Still is.