BoatUS - Not what it appears to be!
Posted: October 6th, 2019, 3:20 pm
As a Unlimited Gold Member, I recently contacted BoatUS for the first time for a tow. Yes it happens to everyone sometime. This tow was for a haul out and repair, and was from my home dock to a boat yard approximately 5 miles away. My Carver was disabled but not in peril, and was in need of some work covered through my insurer. The BoatUS Service Agreement states in part " Unlimited Gold Service Level, Paid Service includes payment of the cost to tow Member's disabled boat, for the purpose of repairs, from any dock or mooring to the Members port of choice not to exceed a total towing distance of 25 miles." Upon first contact many days in advance, I was advised to call for the tow a day in advance and after discussing my needs, I was told that I was completely covered for the service as an Unlimited Gold Member.
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.......
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.......
