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GEICO Insurance

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

We all like bashing insurance companies, or so it seems and for 41 years I¡¯ve not had any complaint about BoatUS insurance, until this week. In the end, everything worked out, the process just sucked.

We have been working our way to the Bahamas since last summer. Our current coverage included Inland and Coastal waters of the US and Canada out to ?75 nm so long as I didn¡¯t enter waters governed by any other nation. Since the Bahamas were on our agenda, I called GEICO last October to inquire about any specific requirements for us to get a Bahamas endorsement as Second Star is celebrating her 32nd birthday. I was told I would need a Valuation and Condition survey that could be done in or out of the water. Fine and consistent with their policy to havre all 30+ year old boats surveyed.

We are now in Velcro Beach and looking at a weather window for crossing next week. On Monday I called GEICO to request the Bahamas endorsement and was told I now needed a survey and?a rigging inspection. I just about blew a gasket but managed to maintain some self-control. After informing the agent I had called last fall and no mention was made of a rigging survey they tried to locate the call and couldn¡¯t find it, or so they say, and denied my request for the endorsement. I did inform them I had been a customer for 41 years with no claims, had a 6 week old survey that found the boat in average or above condition with the recommendations for corrections being ¡°none currently¡±. ?I informed them the rigging was replaced 5 years ago, however the recipes were 1,000 miles away. The request was kicked up a level and the supervisor said no.

I was able to download my call records from ATT and there I found a call I made to BoatUS Insurance on Oct 14. I called them back and gave the agent this specific information and was denied again, although he did connect me with a kind supervisor who actually listened to my argument, 41 years of no claims, recent excellent survey, prior experience sailing to the Bahamas, nand repeated suggestions I would be looking for new insurance provider. She was sympathetic and agreed to review it with the next level of management and get back to me with the decision.

Under some domestic pressure to follow up I called again and was told it had been reviewed by management and was denied. I was perhaps a bit more force full in my response suggesting a change in providers and a complaint to the NY Insurance Commission. Shortly there after I received a call from GEICO on a private line, unfortunately I was helping another boat unjam an in-mast furler. I returned the call to voice mail. An hour so later the kindly manager I had spoken called me and said they would provide the Bahamas endorsement. It was the hardest I've ever worked to spend $20, the cost of a 2 month endorsement.

The lessons from the tribulation are simple:

  • Record the exact date and time of any inquires made about your policy. A cell phone makes this easier because that information (at least on ATT) is readily availble on their website.
  • If your boat is 30 years old expect to need a survey.
  • If your boat is 30 years old expect to need a rigging survey
  • Be firm in your dealings
  • Loyalty does pay off

I believe loyalty and knowing the precise date and time of any contact made the case for my appeal. Had I known a rigging survey was needed, I would have had one done.?

Forewarned is forearmed. Hope this is helpful to others planning similar trips.

Dave
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Hi Dave,?

It is sad to read your dealings with Geico but not too surprising - true, loyalty helps but only so much, we are just a number on a file, I think what may have helped is your threat to complain to the Insurance commission as big companies do not want any bad rep with regulatory agencies, I am glad it finally worked out for you.?

A few years ago I got scammed by a local ATT store manager before he left town, I wasn¡¯t able to have it resolved at the store so I started calling ATT customer service, I spent an accumulated 20 hrs with several reps and their supervisors but couldn¡¯t get it solved, they knew what tactic to use and everyone was using it. Finally, I sent complaints to CFPB, BBB, and drafted a letter to the CEO showing all the call logs totaling over 20 hrs, their scam bills, and my job title and hourly pay, I threatened to sue in local court for the actual loss of pay and some extra for stress and headaches, even threatened to send the letter to local media outlets - a week later I got a call from the CFO of ATT, he cancelled remaining payments for our 2 new iPhones and fixed our bill amount to half of what it was supposed to be for 2 years, he just asked me to pull the complaint from BBB which I did, he even gave me his direct line and asked to call him if the bill amount changed, I didn¡¯t need to as it was good. We enjoyed the lower bill for 2 years and then I changed to T-Mobile, I still couldn¡¯t get over those 20 hrs of stress.?

Darshan
Manhasset Bay

On Mar 19, 2025, at 8:33?PM, David Lochner via groups.io <davelochner@...> wrote:

?We all like bashing insurance companies, or so it seems and for 41 years I¡¯ve not had any complaint about BoatUS insurance, until this week. In the end, everything worked out, the process just sucked.

We have been working our way to the Bahamas since last summer. Our current coverage included Inland and Coastal waters of the US and Canada out to ?75 nm so long as I didn¡¯t enter waters governed by any other nation. Since the Bahamas were on our agenda, I called GEICO last October to inquire about any specific requirements for us to get a Bahamas endorsement as Second Star is celebrating her 32nd birthday. I was told I would need a Valuation and Condition survey that could be done in or out of the water. Fine and consistent with their policy to havre all 30+ year old boats surveyed.

We are now in Velcro Beach and looking at a weather window for crossing next week. On Monday I called GEICO to request the Bahamas endorsement and was told I now needed a survey and?a rigging inspection. I just about blew a gasket but managed to maintain some self-control. After informing the agent I had called last fall and no mention was made of a rigging survey they tried to locate the call and couldn¡¯t find it, or so they say, and denied my request for the endorsement. I did inform them I had been a customer for 41 years with no claims, had a 6 week old survey that found the boat in average or above condition with the recommendations for corrections being ¡°none currently¡±. ?I informed them the rigging was replaced 5 years ago, however the recipes were 1,000 miles away. The request was kicked up a level and the supervisor said no.

I was able to download my call records from ATT and there I found a call I made to BoatUS Insurance on Oct 14. I called them back and gave the agent this specific information and was denied again, although he did connect me with a kind supervisor who actually listened to my argument, 41 years of no claims, recent excellent survey, prior experience sailing to the Bahamas, nand repeated suggestions I would be looking for new insurance provider. She was sympathetic and agreed to review it with the next level of management and get back to me with the decision.

Under some domestic pressure to follow up I called again and was told it had been reviewed by management and was denied. I was perhaps a bit more force full in my response suggesting a change in providers and a complaint to the NY Insurance Commission. Shortly there after I received a call from GEICO on a private line, unfortunately I was helping another boat unjam an in-mast furler. I returned the call to voice mail. An hour so later the kindly manager I had spoken called me and said they would provide the Bahamas endorsement. It was the hardest I've ever worked to spend $20, the cost of a 2 month endorsement.

The lessons from the tribulation are simple:

  • Record the exact date and time of any inquires made about your policy. A cell phone makes this easier because that information (at least on ATT) is readily availble on their website.
  • If your boat is 30 years old expect to need a survey.
  • If your boat is 30 years old expect to need a rigging survey
  • Be firm in your dealings
  • Loyalty does pay off

I believe loyalty and knowing the precise date and time of any contact made the case for my appeal. Had I known a rigging survey was needed, I would have had one done.?

Forewarned is forearmed. Hope this is helpful to others planning similar trips.

Dave
 

Hi Dave, Glad it worked out. Hopefully you can get unstuck from ¡°Velcro Beach¡± and get over to the Bahamas. I hate autocorrect.
Bill Kellner
S32 Sandusky Ohio

On Wed, Mar 19, 2025 at 8:33?PM David Lochner via <davelochner=[email protected]> wrote:
We all like bashing insurance companies, or so it seems and for 41 years I¡¯ve not had any complaint about BoatUS insurance, until this week. In the end, everything worked out, the process just sucked.

We have been working our way to the Bahamas since last summer. Our current coverage included Inland and Coastal waters of the US and Canada out to ?75 nm so long as I didn¡¯t enter waters governed by any other nation. Since the Bahamas were on our agenda, I called GEICO last October to inquire about any specific requirements for us to get a Bahamas endorsement as Second Star is celebrating her 32nd birthday. I was told I would need a Valuation and Condition survey that could be done in or out of the water. Fine and consistent with their policy to havre all 30+ year old boats surveyed.

We are now in Velcro Beach and looking at a weather window for crossing next week. On Monday I called GEICO to request the Bahamas endorsement and was told I now needed a survey and?a rigging inspection. I just about blew a gasket but managed to maintain some self-control. After informing the agent I had called last fall and no mention was made of a rigging survey they tried to locate the call and couldn¡¯t find it, or so they say, and denied my request for the endorsement. I did inform them I had been a customer for 41 years with no claims, had a 6 week old survey that found the boat in average or above condition with the recommendations for corrections being ¡°none currently¡±.? I informed them the rigging was replaced 5 years ago, however the recipes were 1,000 miles away. The request was kicked up a level and the supervisor said no.

I was able to download my call records from ATT and there I found a call I made to BoatUS Insurance on Oct 14. I called them back and gave the agent this specific information and was denied again, although he did connect me with a kind supervisor who actually listened to my argument, 41 years of no claims, recent excellent survey, prior experience sailing to the Bahamas, nand repeated suggestions I would be looking for new insurance provider. She was sympathetic and agreed to review it with the next level of management and get back to me with the decision.

Under some domestic pressure to follow up I called again and was told it had been reviewed by management and was denied. I was perhaps a bit more force full in my response suggesting a change in providers and a complaint to the NY Insurance Commission. Shortly there after I received a call from GEICO on a private line, unfortunately I was helping another boat unjam an in-mast furler. I returned the call to voice mail. An hour so later the kindly manager I had spoken called me and said they would provide the Bahamas endorsement. It was the hardest I've ever worked to spend $20, the cost of a 2 month endorsement.

The lessons from the tribulation are simple:

  • Record the exact date and time of any inquires made about your policy. A cell phone makes this easier because that information (at least on ATT) is readily availble on their website.
  • If your boat is 30 years old expect to need a survey.
  • If your boat is 30 years old expect to need a rigging survey
  • Be firm in your dealings
  • Loyalty does pay off

I believe loyalty and knowing the precise date and time of any contact made the case for my appeal. Had I known a rigging survey was needed, I would have had one done.?

Forewarned is forearmed. Hope this is helpful to others planning similar trips.

Dave
 

A timely tip, so I thank you for that Dave.?

I received my email from Geico earlier this year and a reminder yesterday. Not sure how they do the math on calculating age, I¡¯ve had the boat insured with Boat US/Geico almost 5 years now, the boat is now 35 going on 36 YO and this is my first notice that a survey is required.?
I have my survey coming up in a couple of weeks and I¡¯ll be sure to ask about the exact nature of the survey.
?
?
--
Pete Waterson
¡°°ä³ó²¹°ù»å´Ç²Ô²Ô²¹²â¡±
S38-2
Oriental, NC
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

The timing has to do with the renewal date and when the last survey was conducted. They wanted surveys within the last 5 years for boats over 30 years old. My renewal date is in October.
Second Star is a 1993 boat, so in October 2023 she was not over 30 years old. In October 2024, she was 31 and needed a survey before they would renew the insurance in 2025.?

When I asked about the need for a rigging survey I was told there was an increasing rate of rig failures on old boats going to the Bahamas. As important as it is, rigging is often neglected. I¡¯m surprised by how many sailors don¡¯t know how to tune their rig.


Dave
Second Star
S362 #113
Fair Haven, NY/Lake Ontario

On Mar 20, 2025, at 7:35?AM, Pete Waterson via groups.io <peterjwaterson@...> wrote:

A timely tip, so I thank you for that Dave.?

I received my email from Geico earlier this year and a reminder yesterday. Not sure how they do the math on calculating age, I¡¯ve had the boat insured with Boat US/Geico almost 5 years now, the boat is now 35 going on 36 YO and this is my first notice that a survey is required.?
I have my survey coming up in a couple of weeks and I¡¯ll be sure to ask about the exact nature of the survey.
?
?
--
Pete Waterson
¡°°ä³ó²¹°ù»å´Ç²Ô²Ô²¹²â¡±
S38-2
Oriental, NC
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Velcro Beach is not an autocorrect, it is a nickname for Vero Beach amongst cruisers. The municipal marina has an excellent mooring field well protected from all winds and seas. It is used as a hurricane hole. It seems many cruisers get here and have difficulty leaving. For Florida, it is a pleasant location focused mostly on high end tourism, not to the level of West Palm, more upper middle class. Lots of Mercedes, Benzes, a Maserati or two and no carnival rides or spring break shenanigans. Cruisers seem to have a hard time peeling away. We¡¯re on day 5 of a 2 day stay. Happened last time we were here, too. Others have stayed much longer or come for the winter. The boat we¡¯re rafted to has been here 2 months and will stay another 2 months or so.

There are worse places to be.


Dave
Second Star
S362 #113
Fair Haven, NY/Lake Ontario

On Mar 19, 2025, at 11:12?PM, Bill Kellner via groups.io <bkellner48@...> wrote:

Hi Dave, Glad it worked out. Hopefully you can get unstuck from ¡°Velcro Beach¡± and get over to the Bahamas. I hate autocorrect.
Bill Kellner
S32 Sandusky Ohio
On Wed, Mar 19, 2025 at 8:33?PM David Lochner via <davelochner=[email protected]> wrote:
We all like bashing insurance companies, or so it seems and for 41 years I¡¯ve not had any complaint about BoatUS insurance, until this week. In the end, everything worked out, the process just sucked.

We have been working our way to the Bahamas since last summer. Our current coverage included Inland and Coastal waters of the US and Canada out to ?75 nm so long as I didn¡¯t enter waters governed by any other nation. Since the Bahamas were on our agenda, I called GEICO last October to inquire about any specific requirements for us to get a Bahamas endorsement as Second Star is celebrating her 32nd birthday. I was told I would need a Valuation and Condition survey that could be done in or out of the water. Fine and consistent with their policy to havre all 30+ year old boats surveyed.

We are now in Velcro Beach and looking at a weather window for crossing next week. On Monday I called GEICO to request the Bahamas endorsement and was told I now needed a survey and?a rigging inspection. I just about blew a gasket but managed to maintain some self-control. After informing the agent I had called last fall and no mention was made of a rigging survey they tried to locate the call and couldn¡¯t find it, or so they say, and denied my request for the endorsement. I did inform them I had been a customer for 41 years with no claims, had a 6 week old survey that found the boat in average or above condition with the recommendations for corrections being ¡°none currently¡±.? I informed them the rigging was replaced 5 years ago, however the recipes were 1,000 miles away. The request was kicked up a level and the supervisor said no.

I was able to download my call records from ATT and there I found a call I made to BoatUS Insurance on Oct 14. I called them back and gave the agent this specific information and was denied again, although he did connect me with a kind supervisor who actually listened to my argument, 41 years of no claims, recent excellent survey, prior experience sailing to the Bahamas, nand repeated suggestions I would be looking for new insurance provider. She was sympathetic and agreed to review it with the next level of management and get back to me with the decision.

Under some domestic pressure to follow up I called again and was told it had been reviewed by management and was denied. I was perhaps a bit more force full in my response suggesting a change in providers and a complaint to the NY Insurance Commission. Shortly there after I received a call from GEICO on a private line, unfortunately I was helping another boat unjam an in-mast furler. I returned the call to voice mail. An hour so later the kindly manager I had spoken called me and said they would provide the Bahamas endorsement. It was the hardest I've ever worked to spend $20, the cost of a 2 month endorsement.

The lessons from the tribulation are simple:

  • Record the exact date and time of any inquires made about your policy. A cell phone makes this easier because that information (at least on ATT) is readily availble on their website.
  • If your boat is 30 years old expect to need a survey.
  • If your boat is 30 years old expect to need a rigging survey
  • Be firm in your dealings
  • Loyalty does pay off

I believe loyalty and knowing the precise date and time of any contact made the case for my appeal. Had I known a rigging survey was needed, I would have had one done.?

Forewarned is forearmed. Hope this is helpful to others planning similar trips.

Dave
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

A pair of well known Sabre sailors from the Chesapeake did the same stop, then returned to Vero permanently.
It¡¯s a nice place, especially now, but you have to have your eyes open about Florida summers, bugs, wildlife and storms.
Pete
(Former FL resident)


On Mar 20, 2025, at 7:55 AM, David Lochner via groups.io <davelochner@...> wrote:

?Velcro Beach is not an autocorrect, it is a nickname for Vero Beach amongst cruisers. The municipal marina has an excellent mooring field well protected from all winds and seas. It is used as a hurricane hole. It seems many cruisers get here and have difficulty leaving. For Florida, it is a pleasant location focused mostly on high end tourism, not to the level of West Palm, more upper middle class. Lots of Mercedes, Benzes, a Maserati or two and no carnival rides or spring break shenanigans. Cruisers seem to have a hard time peeling away. We¡¯re on day 5 of a 2 day stay. Happened last time we were here, too. Others have stayed much longer or come for the winter. The boat we¡¯re rafted to has been here 2 months and will stay another 2 months or so.

There are worse places to be.


Dave
Second Star
S362 #113
Fair Haven, NY/Lake Ontario

On Mar 19, 2025, at 11:12?PM, Bill Kellner via groups.io <bkellner48@...> wrote:

Hi Dave, Glad it worked out. Hopefully you can get unstuck from ¡°Velcro Beach¡± and get over to the Bahamas. I hate autocorrect.
Bill Kellner
S32 Sandusky Ohio
On Wed, Mar 19, 2025 at 8:33?PM David Lochner via <davelochner=[email protected]> wrote:
We all like bashing insurance companies, or so it seems and for 41 years I¡¯ve not had any complaint about BoatUS insurance, until this week. In the end, everything worked out, the process just sucked.

We have been working our way to the Bahamas since last summer. Our current coverage included Inland and Coastal waters of the US and Canada out to ?75 nm so long as I didn¡¯t enter waters governed by any other nation. Since the Bahamas were on our agenda, I called GEICO last October to inquire about any specific requirements for us to get a Bahamas endorsement as Second Star is celebrating her 32nd birthday. I was told I would need a Valuation and Condition survey that could be done in or out of the water. Fine and consistent with their policy to havre all 30+ year old boats surveyed.

We are now in Velcro Beach and looking at a weather window for crossing next week. On Monday I called GEICO to request the Bahamas endorsement and was told I now needed a survey and?a rigging inspection. I just about blew a gasket but managed to maintain some self-control. After informing the agent I had called last fall and no mention was made of a rigging survey they tried to locate the call and couldn¡¯t find it, or so they say, and denied my request for the endorsement. I did inform them I had been a customer for 41 years with no claims, had a 6 week old survey that found the boat in average or above condition with the recommendations for corrections being ¡°none currently¡±.? I informed them the rigging was replaced 5 years ago, however the recipes were 1,000 miles away. The request was kicked up a level and the supervisor said no.

I was able to download my call records from ATT and there I found a call I made to BoatUS Insurance on Oct 14. I called them back and gave the agent this specific information and was denied again, although he did connect me with a kind supervisor who actually listened to my argument, 41 years of no claims, recent excellent survey, prior experience sailing to the Bahamas, nand repeated suggestions I would be looking for new insurance provider. She was sympathetic and agreed to review it with the next level of management and get back to me with the decision.

Under some domestic pressure to follow up I called again and was told it had been reviewed by management and was denied. I was perhaps a bit more force full in my response suggesting a change in providers and a complaint to the NY Insurance Commission. Shortly there after I received a call from GEICO on a private line, unfortunately I was helping another boat unjam an in-mast furler. I returned the call to voice mail. An hour so later the kindly manager I had spoken called me and said they would provide the Bahamas endorsement. It was the hardest I've ever worked to spend $20, the cost of a 2 month endorsement.

The lessons from the tribulation are simple:

  • Record the exact date and time of any inquires made about your policy. A cell phone makes this easier because that information (at least on ATT) is readily availble on their website.
  • If your boat is 30 years old expect to need a survey.
  • If your boat is 30 years old expect to need a rigging survey
  • Be firm in your dealings
  • Loyalty does pay off

I believe loyalty and knowing the precise date and time of any contact made the case for my appeal. Had I known a rigging survey was needed, I would have had one done.?

Forewarned is forearmed. Hope this is helpful to others planning similar trips.

Dave
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

We got lucky, the velcro we ran into is old stuff and we¡¯re able to peel away without too much difficulty. Leaving in the morning.


Dave
Second Star
S362 #113
Fair Haven, NY/Lake Ontario

On Mar 20, 2025, at 6:14?PM, Peter Tollini via groups.io <sabre30@...> wrote:

A pair of well known Sabre sailors from the Chesapeake did the same stop, then returned to Vero permanently.
It¡¯s a nice place, especially now, but you have to have your eyes open about Florida summers, bugs, wildlife and storms.
Pete
(Former FL resident)


On Mar 20, 2025, at 7:55 AM, David Lochner via groups.io <davelochner@...> wrote:

?Velcro Beach is not an autocorrect, it is a nickname for Vero Beach amongst cruisers. The municipal marina has an excellent mooring field well protected from all winds and seas. It is used as a hurricane hole. It seems many cruisers get here and have difficulty leaving. For Florida, it is a pleasant location focused mostly on high end tourism, not to the level of West Palm, more upper middle class. Lots of Mercedes, Benzes, a Maserati or two and no carnival rides or spring break shenanigans. Cruisers seem to have a hard time peeling away. We¡¯re on day 5 of a 2 day stay. Happened last time we were here, too. Others have stayed much longer or come for the winter. The boat we¡¯re rafted to has been here 2 months and will stay another 2 months or so.

There are worse places to be.


Dave
Second Star
S362 #113
Fair Haven, NY/Lake Ontario

On Mar 19, 2025, at 11:12?PM, Bill Kellner via groups.io <bkellner48@...> wrote:

Hi Dave, Glad it worked out. Hopefully you can get unstuck from ¡°Velcro Beach¡± and get over to the Bahamas. I hate autocorrect.
Bill Kellner
S32 Sandusky Ohio
On Wed, Mar 19, 2025 at 8:33?PM David Lochner via <davelochner=[email protected]> wrote:
We all like bashing insurance companies, or so it seems and for 41 years I¡¯ve not had any complaint about BoatUS insurance, until this week. In the end, everything worked out, the process just sucked.

We have been working our way to the Bahamas since last summer. Our current coverage included Inland and Coastal waters of the US and Canada out to ?75 nm so long as I didn¡¯t enter waters governed by any other nation. Since the Bahamas were on our agenda, I called GEICO last October to inquire about any specific requirements for us to get a Bahamas endorsement as Second Star is celebrating her 32nd birthday. I was told I would need a Valuation and Condition survey that could be done in or out of the water. Fine and consistent with their policy to havre all 30+ year old boats surveyed.

We are now in Velcro Beach and looking at a weather window for crossing next week. On Monday I called GEICO to request the Bahamas endorsement and was told I now needed a survey and?a rigging inspection. I just about blew a gasket but managed to maintain some self-control. After informing the agent I had called last fall and no mention was made of a rigging survey they tried to locate the call and couldn¡¯t find it, or so they say, and denied my request for the endorsement. I did inform them I had been a customer for 41 years with no claims, had a 6 week old survey that found the boat in average or above condition with the recommendations for corrections being ¡°none currently¡±.? I informed them the rigging was replaced 5 years ago, however the recipes were 1,000 miles away. The request was kicked up a level and the supervisor said no.

I was able to download my call records from ATT and there I found a call I made to BoatUS Insurance on Oct 14. I called them back and gave the agent this specific information and was denied again, although he did connect me with a kind supervisor who actually listened to my argument, 41 years of no claims, recent excellent survey, prior experience sailing to the Bahamas, nand repeated suggestions I would be looking for new insurance provider. She was sympathetic and agreed to review it with the next level of management and get back to me with the decision.

Under some domestic pressure to follow up I called again and was told it had been reviewed by management and was denied. I was perhaps a bit more force full in my response suggesting a change in providers and a complaint to the NY Insurance Commission. Shortly there after I received a call from GEICO on a private line, unfortunately I was helping another boat unjam an in-mast furler. I returned the call to voice mail. An hour so later the kindly manager I had spoken called me and said they would provide the Bahamas endorsement. It was the hardest I've ever worked to spend $20, the cost of a 2 month endorsement.

The lessons from the tribulation are simple:

  • Record the exact date and time of any inquires made about your policy. A cell phone makes this easier because that information (at least on ATT) is readily availble on their website.
  • If your boat is 30 years old expect to need a survey.
  • If your boat is 30 years old expect to need a rigging survey
  • Be firm in your dealings
  • Loyalty does pay off

I believe loyalty and knowing the precise date and time of any contact made the case for my appeal. Had I known a rigging survey was needed, I would have had one done.?

Forewarned is forearmed. Hope this is helpful to others planning similar trips.

Dave

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