Welcome Back SkiSafe!

[NautiqueJeff]

As you have likely noticed, SkiSafe has joined PlanetNautique as a site sponsor once again! I am very happy to have them back, and I look forward to a long relationship with them going forward.

Some of you already know this, but I want to put it out there again for those who don't. I really do spend quite a bit of time researching vendors who want to become PN site sponsors, and I only accept the ones that I believe offer outstanding products and services. Much like the Nautique brand, I believe our sponsors should represent the best that the industry has to offer, and SkiSafe fits nicely into that requirement.

I have spent a good amount of time getting to know the company over the past few months, and they really understand the inboard ski and wakeboard boat owner. They know what type of insurance we need to safely cover our boats and the people in them, and they are also interested in becoming a resource to help us all maintain our boats properly (more on that in the near future).

This might be a good time to look into a new policy for your boat. Their rates are competitive, their service is hard-to-beat, and their product fits most inboard boat owners' needs perfectly. Here are a few good reasons to get a quote from SkiSafe right now:

1. You'll be supporting this site!!
2. It doesn't cost anything to get an online quote through our special PlanetNautique quote page.
3. You could save money as compared to what you're currently paying for insurance.
4. SkiSafe configures their policies just for the inboard ski and wakeboard boat owner.
5. SkiSafe will be actively helping us out on this site with tech tips and maintenance items.

Click HERE to get a free online quote from SkiSafe!

[SNMike]

I've been using Ski Safe for 10 years. Nobody can beat their price for what you get IMHO.

Mike

[NautiqueJeff]

You guys might also want to check out their website for inboard maintenance advice. They have some pretty good suggestions there.

http://www.skisafe.com/boatmainadvice.stm

[SkiSafe]

SkiSafe Insurance

Jeff, thanks for the warm welcome and allowing us to be part of this fantastic site. SkiSafe got its start in boat insurance over 20 years ago by focusing exclusively on ski boats and the water ski community. Although we’ve since expanded to provide insurance coverage for all types of boats, PWC's and Yachts, we remain committed to providing the best water ski insurance experience on the market. I know many members here at Planet Nautique are long time SkiSafe customers and I thank you for that. For those of you who are not familiar with SkiSafe or who might have been with us in the past I invite you to try out the SkiSafe experience and see for yourself.

I’m happy to make myself and the rest of the SkiSafe team available to address any insurance or boating questions that may arise. This site is a great service to the ski community and we’re happy to be on board to help out each and every one of you.

As Jeff noted above you can easily get a free quote through the handy link on the page, but don’t hesitate to reach out here with any thoughts or questions.

Rich

[wake_fun]

My quote was $137 more than what I pay now for the same coverage..............

[Shooter]

Gave it a try, but I was disappointed they couldn't beat the big guys like State Farm or my current coverage @ AAA.

[AirTool]

I got a quote two years in a row and don't remember the cost to be much different one way or another.

The snag for me was the wind storm coverage. It was difficult to tell what I was getting without the pound of fine print...but first impression was the coverage was not even close to what I have.

Sorry, but it was a no brainer to not change.

[SkiSafe]

SkiSafe Insurance

Shooter and wake_fun, thanks for the feedback. No one can claim that they'll beat every price every time, and SkiSafe is no exception to that. While we try to provide the best coverage for the lowest rates available and are generally able to do so, there are always exceptions.

That being said, I'm curious if your quotes didn't accurately reflect your boating experience. Folks in the Planet Nautique community represent some of the safest and most experienced boaters on the water so I'd want to make sure you were credited for that experience. Feel free to reach out to me directly and we'll make sure everything is in order.

Best,
Jon
ext. 270

[SkiSafe]

SkiSafe Insurance

Hi Airtool, hope all is well. We actually have a lot more flexibility regarding windstorm coverage at this time, particularly for the ski boats that dominate the scene here at Planet Nautique.

Let me know if you'd like to review and I can make sure that at a minimum there won't be any fine print confusion -- we don't look to slip anything in there and can make sure you're clear on every scenario up front. Thanks!

Best,
Jon

[TRBenj]

Hi Airtool, hope all is well. We actually have a lot more flexibility regarding windstorm coverage at this time, particularly for the ski boats that dominate the scene here at Planet Nautique.

Let me know if you'd like to review and I can make sure that at a minimum there won't be any fine print confusion -- we don't look to slip anything in there and can make sure you're clear on every scenario up front. Thanks!

Best,
Jon

Jon,

Has SkiSafe changed its policy regarding agreed-upon values for older boats? I had to drop you almost 5 years ago because my 1990 Ski Nautique was being forced to a "book value" policy due to its age. I think most here would agree that book value is not a very accurate representation of a ski boat's true value- particularly an older Correct Craft in exceptional shape.

[DanielC]

I went Insurance shopping a few years ago. Tried a few automotive companies that try to convince you that they have the lowest rates.

I did find one or two rates lower that Ski Safe, but here was a major problem. The insurance was only good if I, or somebody I had previously informed the insurance company about, and they had drivers record, and other personal information on, was driving.

The other insurance companies did not understand the reason I have a ski boat is because I like to ski behind it.

Second problem was dealing with the issues of using the boat in Ski Shows, and other forms of competition, like slalom use.

Check your policy. Make sure your boat insurance is in effect even if you are not driving. It may not be.

Go with an insurance company that understands boating, skiing, and the marine world.

Insurance companies are not your friend. You are not in good hands with one. They are a business, and in business to make money. They are not in business to give money out. They will use every legal trick to avoid paying your claim. When you get a check, they are not being nice. They are offering you a minimum amount they think you will accept to release them from further liability.

[SkiSafe]

Jon,

Has SkiSafe changed its policy regarding agreed-upon values for older boats? I had to drop you almost 5 years ago because my 1990 Ski Nautique was being forced to a "book value" policy due to its age. I think most here would agree that book value is not a very accurate representation of a ski boat's true value- particularly an older Correct Craft in exceptional shape.

TRBenk, great question. While we likely wouldn't have an agreed value policy on a 20 year old boat (wish I could get that on my car!), the program for such a boat would actually value it based on its fair market value. That allows us to provide more coverage than the "book" would indicate in those situations where folks like you have maintained the boat in pristine condition. If you'd like I can review what we can do on your '90 Nautique to make sure its adequately protected. Thanks!

-Jon

[TRBenj]

TRBenk, great question. While we likely wouldn't have an agreed value policy on a 20 year old boat (wish I could get that on my car!), the program for such a boat would actually value it based on its fair market value. That allows us to provide more coverage than the "book" would indicate in those situations where folks like you have maintained the boat in pristine condition. If you'd like I can review what we can do on your '90 Nautique to make sure its adequately protected. Thanks!

-Jon

Jon, thanks for the offer- but at this time I will pass. Allowing any insurance company (see DanielC's description of insurance companies above) to determine what my boats "fair market value" is, scares the heck out of me! I have found other carriers that still allow agreed upon values for my older boats, so I will stick with them. If my '90 isnt new (valuable) enough to allow for an agreed upon value policy, Id hate to see what my '71 Correct Craft would be worth in SkiSafe's eyes!

I have to say that I dont understand the reasoning behind the shift. The liability portion of the policy is the largest driver in determining the premium, in my experience. My father's '03 196 costs less to insure than my '90 (with the same liability coverage), despite having a replacement value more than twice mine. Figure that one out!

[SkiSafe]

SkiSafe Insurance

I went Insurance shopping a few years ago. Tried a few automotive companies that try to convince you that they have the lowest rates.

I did find one or two rates lower that Ski Safe, but here was a major problem. The insurance was only good if I, or somebody I had previously informed the insurance company about, and they had drivers record, and other personal information on, was driving.

The other insurance companies did not understand the reason I have a ski boat is because I like to ski behind it.

Second problem was dealing with the issues of using the boat in Ski Shows, and other forms of competition, like slalom use.

Check your policy. Make sure your boat insurance is in effect even if you are not driving. It may not be.

Go with an insurance company that understands boating, skiing, and the marine world.

Insurance companies are not your friend. You are not in good hands with one. They are a business, and in business to make money. They are not in business to give money out. They will use every legal trick to avoid paying your claim. When you get a check, they are not being nice. They are offering you a minimum amount they think you will accept to release them from further liability.

Thanks, Daniel! You're absolutely right that people should make sure they have the right coverage for boat. We always try to to determine just what coverage a boater needs and make sure we can offer that -- its our job to make sure there are no such surprises.

Jon

[Quinner]

I have to say that I dont understand the reasoning behind the shift. The liability portion of the policy is the largest driver in determining the premium, in my experience. My father's '03 196 costs less to insure than my '90 (with the same liability coverage), despite having a replacement value more than twice mine. Figure that one out!

What I was told many years ago was an older boat was more susceptible to damage/sinking from a mechanical or structural failure thus the increased liability cost.