Hey - one tip I learned a while back........check with your insurer to see if there's a "boater's safety course" you can take (online). It lowers your insurance each year once you pass it. We have it in Missouri. I'd assume you have it in Texas. For me, it was $30 for the course, to save $30 every year.

I filed a claim on a lower unit last year with Foremost and they wanted to deduct 20% off the cost of the parts. I didn't think that was fair, so I talked the adjustor down to 10%. I then changed all my insurance needs from Farmers to Farm Bureau. Unless your boat is almost new, you may find your company depreciating the cost of parts. My boat is 03, and Farm Bureau will deduct certain costs too, at least I know now. When China starts making after market(inferior) boat parts, insurance companies will use them too. There is one thing all insurance companies are glad to do.....accept your payment.

I have Progressive also, never had any problem with them.

I went through a change of boat insurance agent last year and it was a royal pain. I had Progressive which is what I wanted to stay with. This carrier had Progressive and i talked to them about the switch. Initially thought I was getting a great deal for the swap and saving a bunch but shortly thereafter I kept getting little notices of increases because of this little thing or that until I was paying more than I was prior with the other Progressive carrier. I called and complained and they said they would work on it. Next thing I know I had an entirely different carrier all done without my permission. I was not too thrilled about that either. Made the change anyway and again I got nickle and dimed too death. Finally called and said forget it. Went to the same agent that had my auto policies and I am once again paying an affordable amount for the coverage I want and i am very happy. Be careful changing agents. Its not always a good deal.

I have progressive, no claims yet, TG. But the rates are great.

I totally agree with Stevefromtyler.

I have Progressive (not for much longer tho). I filed a claim on Dec 8th for damage to my lower unit. Turns out I had a broken drive shaft. My claim was not settled until January 16th. The adjuster nor his manager would call to let me know the status. Even when I called them I could not get return calls. Spent two weeks waiting for a "marine expert" to look at my lower unit. Turns out this "expert" had very little experience with outboard motors and no training at all. His experience and background was with Jet engines.

The settlement I got was for an after market rebuilt lower unit. Cost me $1000.00 above my deductible to get Mercury lower unit. I am definitely in the market for different company. Progressive may have saved a few bucks on this claim but when I move 3 vehicles and the boat to another company, they will be the ultimate loser. Also I just got a customer survey from Progressive. You can imagine how much fun I will have completing it.

I have progressive & never had a problem, had to file a claim last year & the adjuster was great, even gave me some tips on how to save some cash.

Try BoatUS Angler.

They tailor thier policy to boaters, offer towing services on and off water and if you have issues going to a tournament that you've already paid for they even have a program the defers your covers the entry fee the tournament.

Lot of other benefits as well.

try the hartford I have been very happy with the auto policy and just collected on my uninsured motorist for a rear ender that screwed me up. other guy had no insurance and got the full amount of coverage with no hassle. putting my boat with them after out of shop for upgrades, will do older boats for stated value, and cover all gear.

I am with Progressive. Had a claim on my lower unit with no problems last year.

State Farm

Recommendation to all boat owners who have an insurance claim. Take your boat to a reputable marine dealer when you know or think you have a claim. Handling this on your own can lead to poor handling by the insurance company and adjuster.
Reputable marine dealers and service centers have countless hours of experience with these companies and there adjusters giving you the best opportunity to get your claim covered. Case in point I met someone on the internet through my hunting services that lives in Del Rio, he had fuel problems with his 300 Yamaha and was going to bite the bullet and buy the high pressure pump out of pocket. We were talking hunting and fishing and he explained his problem. Through a conversation I had with Chuck at Service Marine I knew that there had been some issues with water in fuel and contamination of fuel systems. I urged him to take his boat to a reputable marine dealer in the Del Rio area not the one he was currently useing, he was not happy with the one he had chosen and was allready out of pocket $1200 and still had a poor running boat. He chose a quality marine dealer who knew of some of these issues and his insurance covered the claim and saved him a couple of thousand dollars. It was a legitimate claim and now his boat runs better than ever, he picked up 200 rpm.
He is happy and will be a Progressive customer for life.
I have a couple of reputible marine service and dealers in my signature below. They work hard for their customers.

I have mine with MetLife. Great company and rates. I totaled a boat four years ago and no questions asked very easy.

For full disclosure I am an insurance agent that represents Progressive along with most of the other carriers mentioned in the posts. There are claim horror stories associated with each and every company no matter the line of coverage. One of the most important things is to have a good relationship with your agent and let them know immediately if things are not going the way you think they should. All carriers will depreciate the cost of the parts but that is negotiable as to the percentage.

As to the gentleman who was not satisfied with his claim results. You need to contact your agent and get him/her to help. You can also file a complaint with Texas Department of Insurance. As for the time frame of the settlement, a claim settled in 30 days is not that long of a time period. I know yours happend to be closer to 40 but with the holidays that time frame is not out of line. Of course the sooner the better but sometimes that is not always possible.

If I can help anyone please feel free to give me a call. 940.683.4008.

Jared