Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I am in the market for boat insurance for my pontoon boat. I believe I may have seen some posts in the forum, I cannot seem to locate them again.

Does anyone have any suggestions and good/bad experience with any specific companies? How about claims?

I have gotten quotes from GEICO, Progressive, and Ski Safe. Any thoughts?
Thanks......

Who has your car and house? Sometimes you get a good price by combining all. have farm bureau and Boat is less than 150 a year for full coverage and 100,000 liability.

I like American Family.

We have our house, 4 vehicles, now two boats including the pontoon and my warehouse/toybox.

For the brand new Pontoon, I have full coverage and a $2 Million Liability Umbrella for $310 a year.

That's more than quoted above, BUT....it's also higher coverages, so you could still shop with them and get a comparable deal.

I once had an experience with American Family concerning my little fishing boat.

They cut the check for the loss faster than I'd have thought possible.

Boat US has been excellent for me, been a customer for many years without issues. People can't say the same with others that don't specialize in boat insurance exclusively.

I got a $220 quote from Boat U.S. the other day on my Bennie--substantially less than Progressive.

My Waverunner insurance is also due, and they quoted me $310 a year for 20% of the coverage of my Bennie. I guess that means they don't want all our marine business.

I'm currently using progressive... 124.00 a year. As I understand it if my boat were a total loss they would write me a check for the total amount of the policy with no depreciation.. but that's for the first 5 years... after that they would pay total loss minus depreciation... My boat's just turning 4 years old, so I'll stay with them for the time being... after the 5 year limit I may just add it to my existing car and home policies that I have with Shelter Insurance..... One thing about Shelter, I've had several claims over the years and they have always been johnny on the spot when it came time to pony up a check.... very very good company...

I will also add 1 for Boat US. They were cheaper than almost all of the standard insurance companies.

Is your boat new or substantially updated? If so, consider an "agreed value" policy instead of a "actual cash value" policy. If something happens to it, the policy will pay the purchase price or the value that is placed on the policy. Most companies like Progressive only have the actual value type which is just like your car. They take depreciation into account. Agreed value is a bit more expensive but might be worth it.

Boat US.... thats all they do is boats, they have all kinds and types of coverage to choose from. You may find cheaper some where else, but you need to compare the coverage. just saying.....

yep get Boat US been with them for 15 years.

Thank you all for your quick replies........I will double check with my home/auto insurance and also check out Boat US.

I am new to the Pontoon scene. Recently purchased a 2014 SunTracker Fishing Barge 20DLX with a 60 Merc. It is still at the boat dealer waiting to be prepped. As our lake and weather are just starting to be more boater friendly, we are in no hurry. I have been a V hull fish/ski boat for a long time. It will be a new experience for my wife and I. We will be using it on Lake Champlain and the St Lawrence River, as well as some of the Adirondack Lakes. (We live North of Plattsburgh, NY, about 6 miles from the Quebec border.....)

Thanks again

VacationLand wrote:Most companies like Progressive only have the actual value type which is just like your car. They take depreciation into account. Agreed value is a bit more expensive but might be worth it.

Not accurate. I use Progressive and have an agreed value policy on my toon. My premium this year is $177 for an agreed value of $10,000 on my 2001 Bennington and actual cash value on my 2001 Seadoo GTX. I've never had a claim (excuse me while I knock some wood) so I can't comment on their performance.

Progressive here. $132.00 a year with no deductible, except on trailer ($250) and electronics ($500). Also have the 100% replacement for a total loss. IF the boat blows up, they buy me a new boat.

Priced Boat US , Progressive and Geico today. All between 400 - 600.

I have had Boat/US for 22 years. $40K agreed value, $300K boating liability, $850K fuel and other spill liability, Longshore & Harbor WC, etc. for $283.
And as others mentioned, one won't know how good their insurance is until they have a claim.