So I am looking to renew my policy for 2 boats and I have always heard talk of Worldwide Insurance & Bob Luellen. For starters, has anyone ever had any issues with this company? Just wondering because the premiums are so different than what I'm paying with Safeco. 1992 Ranger 361v & a 2007 Bennington Pontoon. Both insurances have the same coverage, limits and equipment coverage, except that Worldwide is doing an agreed value on both and the agreed value of the bass boat is twice what Safeco is insuring it for. Plus Worldwide is over $300 a year less. Just wondering, for anyone using Worldwide that has needed to use it, how easy was it to deal with them?

I found it easy to deal with Worldwide. Worldwide is NOT the insurer - they are a broker who shops out client opportunity to insurance companies that "bid" on providing the policy. Using a broker is a way to get suppliers to bid competitively for your business.

Worldwide mainly uses Progressive as the insurance carrier. I have used them for many years across three boats. Had my first claim a couple of months ago, and was not impressed, with Progressive or really Bob and company...basically stonewalling me as far as fighting Progressive. Progressive is inexpensive, but this is another scenario of you get what you pay for. Switching to Bob Green as my new broker.

I have been using Bob for couple years but have never had a claim.

Another one to check out is Ben Green Insurance.

Ben is always recommended when these threads come up and he is a Bass Tourney fisherman.

I had to sue progressive to pay on my offshore boat last year so if that is who they want you to go with id look elsewhere.

Guys, We represent numerous companies. We market to all of them and go what makes the most since. The most important thing is to understand your coverage's. I quote your boat like it is mine. Guys have mentioned companies in this post that have deprecation on partial losses. You need be make sue you understand what you are buying. Thank you Bob Luellen

quote my 95 champion 202, all garmin (over 8,000 $), 95 200 xri with low hrs, and just rehabbed to better than new. 3 garmin 93sv plus, garmin force 57''. livescope
all new gauges, new dash, new switch console, seastar pro, bobs 8" hyd jp. and more. seriously looking.




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Give us a call Monday and we can go over your needs. It is very important to understand coverage's on older boats. Most companies will have depreciation on machinery. I will go over all the coverage's. Thank you Bob Luellen 517-627-8080

There are always the good, bad and downright ugly stories with insurance coverage's. As previously stated, boat owners knowing the coverage they need is of most importance. Older and re-equipped boats are the most vulnerable because owners forget to submit upgrades and such to their policies. " Agreed value " and " replacement coverage's " are often overlooked. They cost a bit more, but covers your investment.
Here are two examples:
1) Boat owner has 1K coverage on trailer with 500.00 deductible ( collision ) and detoured down a gravel road. Cost was 2500.00 to sand blast, repair, prime and refinish with multiple pinstripe included. Cost to owner would be 2000.00+. Full replacement coverage would have been about an extra 50.00 a year? back then.
2) Owner of older boat puts 3500.00 in refurbish plus another 3000.00 in electronics. Two weeks later, he had everything from 4 wheelers, fork lift and boat stolen from facility. They had 2500.00 fair market value on the boat.

It has been my experience, that the companies with their own adjusters process claims quickly ( usually within a week ). The ones that use independent inspectors or consultants, can take a week or longer to schedule appointment, a week to write their report, another week for the insurance to review and now it is ready to be scheduled for repair. A month later before the real work can begin. Most cases the repairs can be completed within a week.

Another issue to consider is to take directly to the repair facility. Dealers are in the sells business and often sublet these repairs. Your boat may sit for weeks waiting for estimate and sometimes the actual cost for the repairs are so over inflated, the insurance companies spend extra time trying to justify or ultimately deny these cost.

I have a very clean, classic 1982 Boston Whaler Sport 15 with a 1983 Johnson 50 HP with aftermarket (CMC) power tilt / trim. It's insured with Progressive (through Worldwide Marine Underwriters). On their advice, when I bought the boat I insured it for an agreed value of $10K.

A few weeks ago I destroyed the lower unit and SS propeller backing off a sandbar and hitting some really solid submerged object. I called Progressive and was surprised to have an adjuster call me back the same day. She quickly took my report and assigned an estimator to look at the boat.

I really wanted the motor repaired and would have been happy with that. The estimator tried his best to locate parts, a used or reconditioned lower unit, but could find none. So he totaled the entire boat. They very promptly paid me the $10K less salvage value of $725 and let me keep the boat with no change of title work. I have 0 deductible having been with them over 5 years so they paid me $9,275. I have now purchased a brand new 2020 Tohatsu 60 HP 4 stroke which will be installed (I hope before the end of holidays) for an installed, out the door price of $9,100. I came out smelling like a rose and decided to add a hydraulic jackplate at my expense.

I must admit I was somewhat apprehensive about the claim, but it was handled quickly, fairly, and everything was clearly explained.

I was afraid they would send out Flo (as seen so often on TV). I asked if they could assign the cute little blonde in the "lets hide behind the chainsaws" commercial, but alas, they said they couldn't do that.

Agreed Value saved me. I plan to reinsure it for $10K after sending them documentation of the new motor. The underwriter (Bill) said that wouldn't be a problem. Worldwide Marine Underwriters did well for me.

I have been with Bob for several years. He knows the business. They first time we talked, he looked at my policy to see what I needed and I wasn't even with him at the time. Can't beat that.

Bringing the back TTT, thinking about making an insurance switch. Who are TFF'ers using in 2023?

I used Worldwide for a year and dropped them. They told me when I bought the policy (Progressive) that I had road side assistance as part of the coverage. When I need them (stranded on the road) they told me they I was not covered. I asked Worldwide to check out what happened & they never called me back.

I use WW /Progressive and recently had my 1st claim in 30 years of boating. Fast service and had a check in my hand within a week after the claim was started. For me excellent service

Do yourself a favor and contact Gabe at BIA, at least to compare. He’s done me right IMO.

Gabe@bia.us
800-344-7488 x523