BoatUS Avis 6

When I called in to get a quote for tow I was told it would be a flat rate of $350. Next day my credit card was charged $452. When I called in to dispute I was told there was a 15 minute over charge in addition to the 3% credit card fee. At no point was the 3% discussed and the dispatcher specifically told me he would honor the rate of $350 even though he recognized that the time may go over slightly.

The only reason I'm giving a 2 star rating, as opposed to a 1 star rating, is because of the service the captain offered when towing our jet ski. Billing wise/ transparency they deserve a 1 star rating for not standing behind their quote. I'll never use them again unless they are my last option.

I live in Florida on a river and I purchased BoatUS Towing "Unlimited Inland/Freshwater" in April 2025.
I received an email on 12/12/25 stating that "this service will no longer be eligible for use in Florida". I called and asked if my coverage that I purchased would be valid through the expiration date of 4/30/2026 and he said no unless I up upgraded my coverage to include salt water, also that if I had a claim in the past 8 months it may or may not have been covered. I asked if there was a refund available since I purchased coverage thru 4/30/26 and he said no. Refunds are available for the first 30 days, but I didn't know I had no coverage for 8 months. I went on to their website and sent a message that I was frustrated and was called but the answer was the same. Be sure you know what you're signing up for because their customer service doesn't care. I actually paid for nothing.

I have been a member of BoatUS for several years. Yesterday, for the fist time, I contacted them for a jump start. 24 hours later someone calls and asks if I am ok. I said I was still waiting for a jump start.
Absolutely terrible service. I will cancel my membership and go to Sea Tow.

I have been an Unlimited Towing customer of Boat UBoat U.S. for 11 years.
Yesterday my boat would not start at the dock.

BOAT U.S. states:
Boat Towing

Member
No out of pocket expense for towing in an unlimited service area. An Unlimited Service Area is up to a minimum of 25 miles from the responding TowBoatUS Port.
* Professional 24/7/365 towing dispatch
* …
* BoatUS pays for your on water towing, jump starts, fuel delivery*

“Professional 24/7/365 towing dispatchBoatUS pays for your on water towing, jump starts, fuel delivery.”

I called Boat U.S.

1. Chris answered.

2. I asked “Can you send Boat U.S. to try a jump start?(One of the benefits listed on my membership below). If that doesn’t work, can you tow me to my service dock?” Unlimited Towing membership.

3. After answering a lot of questions from Chris, I repeated my jump start/tow question.

4. He told me because I guessed battery “it is an electrical - not mechanical problem” and is not covered. I told Chris “I am not a mechanic. And certainly not qualified to diagnose engine problems. He told me he would send me an invoice that had to be paid before BOAT U.S. will come. I asked to speak to his supervisor. Chris said “She will tell you the same thing I did.” I was on hold for about 22 minutes.

5. Supervisor Karen/Boat U.S answered. Karen was patient as I explained I was an 11 year customer and needed assistance.

6. Then Karen read me the fine print that restricts towing and jump starts if you are docked at your home dock. If you were 25 miles offshore, you would not be charged extra for towing or jump start.

7. Later, I received a text from Boat U.S. saying it will cost $350 an hour for towing to a repair dock. I assume, the same rate of $350/hr. for a jump start.

BOAT U.S. says they are a “community for boaters” yet advertise “UNLIMITED TOWING INSURANCE” & “JUMP STARTS”

Coverage is limited by hidden asterisk restrictions* especially when you need it.

HINT: “Unclick automatically renew”. This way you have a choice if BOAT U.S. reduces benefits by hiding it in the fine print while increasing costs to you.

I would give a zero if I could. Had their service and finally needed to use it for a boat tow and emergency. They did not show up. Then when I complained to a so called rude supervisor I was told they were not liable to tow me and that I should have called our insurance company! We had an emergency in the middle of the ocean! Next I get a letter of cancellation for “abusing” my privileges! Horrible company. Do not ever use them!

There's something fishy about this site When using Google to search for boat number stickers, it pops up in the top 3. It's not a boat-number-sticker place at all, it's an insurance company ... or it is? What it is? Looks like it does a bit of everything - not well.
Ordered on a Friday. Not "processed" until the following Wednesday, and then shipped by wagon train across the county. They're stickers. Put them in the mail, and they'd be in my mailbox in two, three days tops. Slowest, Order. Ever. Thank goodness I'll only need them once and never again. I suggest people look elsewhere if they need stickers.