insurance

Ok, i've decided to start looking at switching my insurances not just boat but home, auto etc. any suggestions? I have everything with Erie now and have had no problems but it keeps going up every year and we have had no claims, so I am thinking of starting to shop around and thought you folks may have some suggestions where to start.
thanks, Jason

American Family for house and cars, only 1 claim storm damage on the old house they really came through with no hassle. Boat US for both boats they will do stated value for older boats and cover freeze damage. They also give 300 towing coverage.

I guess if you do the job right you dont need to spend millions trying to get new business.

I have mine through Texas Farmers insurance. Cost is 123.00 YR, full coverage. My boat and trailer is insurared for 8 grand.. Go with the private insurance companies, just stay away from like State Farm. Rip off!!

I use state farm and I know they arent the cheapest but our agent has been really good to us and I do think it is actually a good company. They arent going to be the cheapest though. I think you are always better of with a mutual company, they have no incentive to shaft you. Agreed though you must understand your policy. You cannot get upset something is not covered if it specifically says it isnt, even if it seems it should, they have to draw a line somewhere.

I have Ski Safe. State Farm for everything else. I find State Farm to be easy to deal with. Couple fender benders(wife,not me) . I also totaled a snowmobile a few years back and though the claim could have easily been denied/ questioned they gave me zero trouble. It was legit, but If I was them, I probably would not have paid it.

They do not like the boats to have more than 10hp per foot. When i bought my 330 hp 21 ft skiboat that will touch 38 on a good day, they didnt want to insure it. Even though i had full coverage ( was under $200yr) from them at the time on my 18' 150hp Ranger bass boat that would run 65 mph all day long. They just dont get boats.

   Mike

BoatUS insured my 89 with 12k stated value coverage. They only required pictures of the boat.

I'm in agreement with finding an independent agent. We are currently with Mercury, which is a smaller insurance company that we were with in CA, also. I'm not sure if they have Mercury in your area, but it would be worth checking into. They tend to work with small, independent agents.

TRBenj wrote: skicat2001 wrote: Mine as you stated is 100k each occurence and 5k per person for medical payments. Great insurance for cheap costs. $100k per person, or $100k per accident? Or both (ie, $100k/$100k)? Personally, I consider $100k/300k a minimum, with 200/500 being better. Just curious if we're talking apples to apples.

Tim thats per person. Maybe it is the minumum. I am just curious but why would one want to up there insurance to 200/500, espcially if most of us are cautious on the water and watch out for others?Being a boater, the most dangerous people down here are kids on those darn jet skiies! If you can stay clear from them.. Or do you think having maxium coverage is best??

Everyone's insurance needs are different. That said, I have changed my homeowner, boat, motorcycle, and antique vehicle insurance every few years. I believe I have three different insurance companies for my boats because I got a better rate that way. I have kept my "driver car" insurance with Geico for about 15 years. It seems that if you stay with any company they continually raise your rates, but if you are a reasonable risk there is always someone willing to undercut your current insurer to get your business. This has not been true with Geico however, They have not raised my rates despite several non chargeable claims, They are also the only insurance company I have had that has authorized new factory replacement body panels for my cars up to 6 years old instead of the aftermarket trash. My cars are in very good condition however and that was the justification the adjuster used to justify it. I would get reasonable liability coverage for my "stuff" and then cover everything with an umbrella policy "just in case" if you have assets that can be attached to a loss.
Good luck and happy hunting.

over the years Boat US seems to be about the best from my experiences of dealing with the insurance companies, sometimes the companies will baffle you, i had a rotted keel on a boat and they sent a surveyor because there was a small crack on the bottem, it was a 7k repair, it was a 1988, he ok'd it and they paid the bill, on the otherside of the coin, i qouted painting the complete side of a boat because of a gouge, in order for the paint to match you have to do the side, it was one of the big three that knocked it down to 700.00 and made me spot it in and you could see the color difference in the sun.
the best one that sticks in my mind was a 20k bill, the owner pulled it into nuetral when he was powering up, it was a Tiarra, twins, I asked the owner if he did it on purpose and he said "god no" call your insurance company and see what they say.....they covered it

I agree with trBenj my boat is covered for 5K my liability is 100/300 its not so much about the boat but everything else.