When ready I contacted BoatUS again allowing about 4 days out to schedule and coordinate with the boat Yard, tides, etc. During that contact, I was asked if the reason for the tow involved insurance, to which I acknowledged that the repairs were covered through my insurance. I was then asked if I was insured through BoatUS - Geico. My response was no that I have alternative insurance coverage. The BoatUS representative then explained that BoatUS would not cover my tow expenses but would however provide a TowBoat U.S Captain to tow my vessel noting that I would have to pay (Est. $750.00) out of pocket upon their arrival on the scheduled date. When asked why I would be forced to pay when I have been a covered member for years. I was told because I was not insured through BoatUS - Geico, and insurance was involved. I advised them that one had nothing to due with the other, and cited their own agreement terms (Noted Above) with the representative. It did not matter. I even called a third time to verify and was told the same thing.
It appears that if I had called for the tow before I contacted my insurer, BoatUS would have covered the tow and probably tried to sell me their insurance. My point is, BoatUS appears to make up rules as they go that negatively impact their membership and is especially concerning when their policy is not clearly spelled out within the Service Agreement provided to its members. I paid for a service and thought I was thankful that I had as it was one less thing to worry about with repairs to consider. In this instance, BoatUS only added to the aggravation and caused me to start looking for competitive service providers. Beware.......
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