BajaNomad

Insurance - 18 year old Boston Whaler

Bajachief - 3-29-2007 at 12:44 PM

Went to get my on-line policy for the truck and boat and they will not cover the boat because of the age. Value of the boat is 10,000 +
Anyone know who covers boats?

Leaving soon
Thanks
Chris

BajaGeoff - 3-29-2007 at 01:38 PM

Hey Chris,

I know you spoke to Jennifer at Baja Bound about this today. Our website is set up in accordance to the underwriting guidelines given to us by the insurance companies we work with, which is why the boat was only eligible for liability coverage online. However, in certain cases we are able to request special permission for a situation like yours.

In this case, we were in fact able to get permission from the underwriter to provide full coverage for your boat. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Hook - 3-29-2007 at 01:51 PM

Stateside insurance or Mexican insurance?

It's a personal financial decision, but I dont think I would pay for any kind of comprehensive policy on a boat that is only worth 10k. I think I'd accept the risk, be prudent as to when you launch and how you boat, and pocket the premium. This would be especially true on a boat with the Whaler's capabilities of staying afloat. I'd still carry liability; though.

A partnership on a boat of that value might be a different story. Or, if you live in a high crime area and the policy covers theft in all cases, that might change my thinking.

Let's face it......a boat is not like a car. You HAVE to have a car.

Insurance - 18 year old Boston Whaler

Bajachief - 3-29-2007 at 02:37 PM

Baja Bound has come through as the company to use again!

Hook the coverage I want is for on-the-trailer. Once on the water I cover myself in Mex.
I think the money is well spent to cover what could happen to my 10,000 boat if some idiot crashes into me.

Pictures to come of the trip
Chief

Phil S - 3-30-2007 at 08:05 AM

I wonder why they had to come back to give you the coverage??? Why, if they CAN cover it, did they handle it this way.???????
YOu could also check with Lewis & Lewis in Beverly Hills who have an 800 # to compare prices. They have insured me for over ten years now, and including my towable Livingston Warrior 16'. I was most pleased with their services and prices, and the fact we can do business from Oregon via credit card.

BajaGeoff - 3-30-2007 at 10:41 AM

Phil,

As I said above, our underwriting guidelines explicitly state that any auto or boat over 15 years is only eligible for liability coverage. In certain cases, such as Bajachief's boat, we are able to get special permission from the underwriter to write a full coverage policy.

We handled it this way because it is in the best interests of our agency and the property of our clients to make sure the policies we issue are 100% accurate.

Phil S - 3-30-2007 at 11:57 AM

Geoff. I responded the way I did, as I read in his first inquiry. Then you came back with saying you CAN do it. Rather than Jennifer saying, "it will take special underwriting & I"ll get back to you". As I read the post, he was assuming that it was a NO, and that was why he was asking us for help in finding an agent to get him covered. Sooooooooooooooo your quick response was GREAT!! I only questioned why it wasn't handled differently????? I'm happy, and and I'm sure Chris is happy. And I was just offering him another option for coverage. You handled this well Geoff!!!!

BajaGeoff - 3-30-2007 at 04:21 PM

Hehe!

It is funny how a conversation can be so easily misinterpreted on the forum! Jennifer was in fact looking into it and Chris was just taking extra steps to make sure his boat could get covered since time was of the essence. Unfortunately for Chris, he had to postpone the trip to a later date.....

Have a great weekend!

Phil S - 3-31-2007 at 02:03 PM

I think your response was good, because so many times we take things for granted. I wouldn't have thought age would be a problem in Mexico.
Are you finding underwriting of home insurance in Baja Sur tightening, or becoming easier to get. i.e. premiums being reduced, etc.

BajaGeoff - 4-2-2007 at 10:03 AM

The market is definitely tightening down there. With the huge losses from hurricanes in recent years the underwriters are growing wary of insuring property in high risk areas. Some underwriters, such as Qualitas, have opted to get out of the homeowners market entirely. It is going to get interesting though, as real estate continues to boom and the property values go up.....