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03-08-2016, 01:21 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
City: PNW
Vessel Name: EXILE
Vessel Model: HANS CHRISTIAN TRAWLER
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 134
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BoatUS Fees
Is the cost to subscribe to BoatUS towing service the same no matter where it is purchased? I know it can be purchased directly from BoatUS and from West Marine and possibly other outlets. Thanks in advance for your responses.
-David
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03-08-2016, 01:44 PM
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#2
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Guru
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,834
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David, BoatUS and WM are the same company or parts of the same company. Believe you have to buy it from them. Should be the same price regardless.
Ted
__________________
Blog: mvslowhand.com
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove, on my mind.....
I want to spend some time, Not come and go in a heated rush.....
"Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters
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03-08-2016, 01:46 PM
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#3
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Guru
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
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Quote:
Originally Posted by petdoc4u
Is the cost to subscribe to BoatUS towing service the same no matter where it is purchased? I know it can be purchased directly from BoatUS and from West Marine and possibly other outlets. Thanks in advance for your responses.
-David
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There are occasionally deals made where memberships are discounted or even given away by merchants. However, all those I've ever seen have been simply for the Basic $24 membership which covers very little. Only $50 toward a tow. I've seen many people very confused when they got free Boat US Towing membership from a marina and then found out it didn't cover but $50 of a tow, didn't cover a jump start, didn't cover a soft grounding and didn't cover fuel delivery.
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03-08-2016, 01:51 PM
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#4
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TF Site Team
City: California Delta
Vessel Name: FlyWright
Vessel Model: 1977 Marshall Californian 34 LRC
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,728
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It also depends in whether you're operating in inland waters or coastal areas. I paid less for coverage in the CA Delta, but needed to upgrade my coverage once I wanted to depart the inland waters. It's all on their website.
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03-08-2016, 01:54 PM
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#5
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Guru
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
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Quote:
Originally Posted by O C Diver
David, BoatUS and WM are the same company or parts of the same company.
Ted
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Not unless Warren Buffett has made an move I'm unaware of today. Boat US is owned by Berkshire Hathaway. Randolph Repass is the largest shareholder of West Marine with 26% ownership.
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03-08-2016, 02:36 PM
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#6
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Guru
City: Victoria TX
Vessel Name: Bijou
Vessel Model: 2008 Island Packet PY/SP
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 5,290
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BandB
Not unless Warren Buffett has made an move I'm unaware of today. Boat US is owned by Berkshire Hathaway. Randolph Repass is the largest shareholder of West Marine with 26% ownership.
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Berkshire did sell 9B in bonds today. 10 years at 1.5%. 😄
Maybe he's gonna buy West Marine! I hope not. Retail sucks.
Disclosure-- long BRK for about 20 years.
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03-08-2016, 02:52 PM
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#7
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Guru
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,870
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You can join wherever the membership is sold. It is probably easiest to just go on-line from the comfort of your own home (or boat).
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03-08-2016, 03:04 PM
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#8
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TF Site Team
City: California Delta
Vessel Name: FlyWright
Vessel Model: 1977 Marshall Californian 34 LRC
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,728
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If I have my facts straight, in 2003 WM bought the BoatUS stores, but not the insurance or tow service portions of the company. That may have led to some ownership confusion.
West Marine Buys Boat U.S. Stores | Boating Industry
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03-08-2016, 03:13 PM
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#9
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,151
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History of BoatUS
2003 – The BoatUS Product Division – a 900+ page catalog, 62 retail Marine Centers and wholesale operation - is sold to West Marine.
2007 – Boat America Corporation, the stock company that provides the services to BoatUS., is sold by an ESOP to a Berkshire Hathaway owned subsidiary, National Indemnity Company.
2015 – BoatUS is transferred to GEICO, another Berkshire Hathaway company, to better align for growth. BoatUS Marine Insurance creates a much-needed specialized insurance policy for peer-to-peer rental networks. Aligning under one national brand, BoatUS changes the name of its West Coast based Vessel Assist towing fleet to TowBoatUS. On February 13, BoatUS Founder Richard Schwartz crosses the bar at the age of 85.
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03-08-2016, 05:19 PM
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#10
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Guru
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,834
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BandB
Not unless Warren Buffett has made an move I'm unaware of today. Boat US is owned by Berkshire Hathaway. Randolph Repass is the largest shareholder of West Marine with 26% ownership.
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Sorry if my information was dated. Like the services Boat US provides (not the insurance) and really couldn't care less about WM.
Use to own Berkshire Hathaway stock until having had some dealings with Geico. I'd would buy Altria stock before BH. At least you know up front the product there selling.
Ted
__________________
Blog: mvslowhand.com
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove, on my mind.....
I want to spend some time, Not come and go in a heated rush.....
"Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters
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03-08-2016, 05:27 PM
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#11
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Guru
City: Victoria TX
Vessel Name: Bijou
Vessel Model: 2008 Island Packet PY/SP
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 5,290
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BoatUS Fees
Quote:
Originally Posted by O C Diver
Sorry if my information was dated. Like the services Boat US provides (not the insurance) and really couldn't care less about WM.
Use to own Berkshire Hathaway stock until having had some dealings with Geico. I'd would buy Altria stock before BH. At least you know up front the product there selling.
Ted
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Yep. Altria is selling death, up front.
What do you mean you don't know what products Berkshire is selling? Here is a list of the companies BRK owns-- it's pretty clear.
http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/subs/sublinks.html
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03-08-2016, 06:11 PM
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#12
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Guru
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cardude01
Yep. Altria is selling death, up front.
What do you mean you don't know what products Berkshire is selling? Here is a list of the companies BRK owns-- it's pretty clear.
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I think he means he had a bad experience with one of them. Doesn't like the kid so doesn't like the parents.
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03-08-2016, 06:47 PM
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#13
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Guru
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,834
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BandB
I think he means he had a bad experience with one of them. Doesn't like the kid so doesn't like the parents.
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Yes that pretty much summarizes it. Only difference is that the parent acquires the kids because they approve of how the kid dose business. Had good friends badly abused by the insurance company. It's cheaper to beat people into submission with lawyers than pay honest claims.
Ted
__________________
Blog: mvslowhand.com
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove, on my mind.....
I want to spend some time, Not come and go in a heated rush.....
"Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters
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03-08-2016, 07:04 PM
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#14
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Veteran Member
City: Puget Sound
Vessel Model: Currently boatless
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 92
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Quote:
Originally Posted by O C Diver
Yes that pretty much summarizes it. Only difference is that the parent acquires the kids because they approve of how the kid dose business. Had good friends badly abused by the insurance company. It's cheaper to beat people into submission with lawyers than pay honest claims.
Ted
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Honestly, the business model of ALL insurance companies is to collect money and then fight giving any back on claims. Lawyers are just part of their business model. The only way to deal with them on a large claim is to use the same tactics, but with a better lawyer.
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03-08-2016, 07:47 PM
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#15
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Guru
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,834
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S41
Honestly, the business model of ALL insurance companies is to collect money and then fight giving any back on claims. Lawyers are just part of their business model. The only way to deal with them on a large claim is to use the same tactics, but with a better lawyer.
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That sounds very politically correct. Never been involved with a large claim. On the small stuff (<$50K) most insurance companies (not including health care) seem to process claims in a very professional manner. That's the way I've seen it based on experiences for myself, friends, and family. When the numbers get large or the claim looks suspicious, I would expect to see more lawyer involvement.
Ted
__________________
Blog: mvslowhand.com
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove, on my mind.....
I want to spend some time, Not come and go in a heated rush.....
"Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters
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03-08-2016, 08:07 PM
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#16
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Guru
City: Sydney
Vessel Name: Sojourn
Vessel Model: Integrity 386
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 13,333
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The law here implies an obligation of utmost good faith to both insurer and insured. Insurers seem to need reminding about it, eg.Comminsure,the insurance arm of our largest bank, the Commonwealth Bank.
__________________
BruceK
2005 Integrity 386 "Sojourn"
Sydney Australia
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03-08-2016, 11:31 PM
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#17
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Guru
City: Seattle, WA
Vessel Name: Pau Hana
Vessel Model: 1989 PT52 Overseas Yachtfisher
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,676
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S41
Honestly, the business model of ALL insurance companies is to collect money and then fight giving any back on claims. Lawyers are just part of their business model. The only way to deal with them on a large claim is to use the same tactics, but with a better lawyer.
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Really? Have any facts to back up your statements?
A more correct assessment would be that an insurance company is in the business of risk transference; coverages are offered for premium paid (premiums are generally but a fraction of the value of the vessel, yet will pay the agreed value of the vessel). The problem I see over and over again is that too many people do not read their policy to understand what is and what is not covered- but they run with the assumption that everything is covered.
When a claim occurs, that assumption can lead to much maligning on the internet about how "they got screwed".
I've been in the business for a long while, and recently joined GEICO Marine as the head of the charter underwriting department. Seaworthy Insurance (another BH company) and BoatUS were both bought under the Geico Marine Insurance in November 2015. We are currently streamlining all the insurance products under one standard, so the coverages offered are equitable with Chubb, Travelers, Markel, and a host of other marine specialty insurers.
__________________
Peter- Marine Insurance Guru at Novamar Insurance Group (206-350-5051) & tuna fishing addict!
1989 52' PT Overseas yachtfisher
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03-09-2016, 12:05 AM
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#18
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Guru
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pau Hana
Really? Have any facts to back up your statements?
The problem I see over and over again is that too many people do not read their policy to understand what is and what is not covered- but they run with the assumption that everything is covered.
When a claim occurs, that assumption can lead to much maligning on the internet about how "they got screwed".
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I know people do sometimes get bad treatment from insurers but the majority of people seem to have never actually read their policies and by reading them I mean every word of every page. Either one does that up front or gets surprises. There is no standard policy. Today someone was talking about a great deal here but their towing and assistance was only $2500 and they didn't know if they had any salvage beyond that or how much it was. Salvage can run into tens of thousands quickly.
I have no idea the specifics of the Geico situation referenced here. I have never been insured by Geico on anything. People think marine insurance is as simple as auto insurance with a standard policy within each state and all you need to know is the coverage amount. Now, actually the auto insurance isn't as simple as some thing and they find out when they need a rental car or have a unique situation. But whatever complexities it has, homeowners has more and boats have many many times more. Things like who can operate the boat, where it can be operated. What it can be used for. How much for towing. Whether the policy covers latent defects, uninsured boaters, deductibles on lightning strikes, depreciation on partial losses, coverage of personal effects, of art, transportation, storage, exclusions for wear and tear related items.
Here is a useful page just to look at to alert one to some of the things one needs to know about their policy. I'm not pushing anyone toward Pantaenius, just think this is a valuable list of items. Just look at the differences between their different levels of policies.
Pantaenius Yacht Insurance Comparison
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03-09-2016, 05:27 AM
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#19
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Veteran Member
City: WIXOM
Vessel Name: INCOGNITO
Vessel Model: 34 MARINE TRADER
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 31
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My boat club once got a group discount on Boat US membership, don't know if it still applies
__________________
Mike Koski
32' Marine Trader........... 34' Marine Trader
" Curvaceous "............... " Incognito "
Newport, MI ................. Marathon, FL
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03-09-2016, 11:38 AM
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#20
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Guru
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MICH MIKE
My boat club once got a group discount on Boat US membership, don't know if it still applies
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There are regularly different discounts floating around on their memberships. When marinas were giving free basic in our area you could take it and then upgrade to other. Several companies have deals to offer 10% discounts on all memberships. I think Navionics is one. There are deals out there, just may not be worth the effort to find them.
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