SkiSafe Insurance Review for 2025: Boat and PWC Coverage

SkiSafe, a Sullivan & Strauss insurance agency headquartered in Lake Success, New York, has specialized in boat and personal watercraft (PWC) insurance since 1974, serving over 500,000 boaters across the United States. Underwritten by AXIS Insurance Company (A+ rating by A.M. Best), SkiSafe offers customizable policies for jet skis, bass boats, pontoons, sailboats, and luxury yachts, with premiums starting at $85 annually.

With 30% of U.S. boaters facing accidents or claims annually (per boating statistics), choosing a reliable insurer is critical. This article reviews SkiSafe’s coverage options, customer experiences, strengths, and weaknesses for 2025, based on customer reviews, industry ratings, and insights from sources like ConsumersAdvocate.org and Trustpilot. Tailored for boat owners new to insurance, it helps you decide if SkiSafe is the right choice for your vessel.

SkiSafe’s Coverage and Features

SkiSafe provides tailored policies for various watercraft, emphasizing flexibility and affordability. Key features include:

• Coverage Options:

  • Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability: Covers injuries or damage to others caused by your boat.

  • Physical Damage: Protects against collision, theft, fire, or vandalism, on water or land.

  • Medical Payments: Covers medical expenses for injuries on your boat.

  • Towing and Roadside Assistance: Includes on-water towing and trailer coverage.

  • Personal Property: Covers equipment like fishing gear or water skis.

  • Disappearing Deductibles: Reduces deductibles over time for claim-free policies.

• Customizations: Options like replacement cost coverage, agreed value (fixed payout), or actual cash value (depreciated payout).

• Discounts: Available for boating safety courses, clean driving records, winter layup (non-use periods), multi-craft policies, or navigable waters restrictions.

• Online Tools: Free quotes, self-service dashboard, EZ Pay (25% down, balance in 30 days), and a boat insurance blog.

• Unique Policies: Offers summer-only policies and coverage without requiring Social Security numbers or credit checks.

Pricing: Annual premiums start at $85, with quotes often lower than competitors (e.g., half the cost of some insurers, per customer Charles). Policies require a lump-sum payment, though EZ Pay allows installment options.

Customer Feedback: The Good and the Bad

SkiSafe’s reviews are polarized, reflecting excellent service for some and significant issues for others, based on sources like ConsumersAdvocate.org, Trustpilot, and PlanetNautique forums.

Positive Feedback

• Affordable Rates: Customers like Charles and Richie report quotes significantly lower than competitors, with one noting a policy cost “less than half” their prior insurer.

• Responsive Service: Clients praise quick quote processes (8 minutes online) and helpful staff. A customer highlighted adjuster Kate’s professionalism during a motor failure claim.

• Efficient Claims: Some report smooth claims handling, like a lightning strike claim resolved promptly with a professional adjuster (Tommy Suggs). Another customer gave 5 stars for a significant claim in 2017, remaining loyal since 1994.

• Ease of Use: Online tools and customer service are lauded for simplicity, with comments like “seamless from quote to purchase” and “very easy to set up.”

• Long-Term Loyalty: Clients with multiple boats or decades of coverage (e.g., 20 years, five policies) appreciate consistent service and competitive pricing.

Negative Feedback

• Depreciation Issues: A major complaint is SkiSafe’s depreciation policy, which can reduce payouts significantly. For example, a 23-year-old boat’s damaged parts were deemed valueless, leaving a $3,200 bill. Another client faced a 65% parts depreciation, receiving less than half the policy value for a near-totaled boat.

• Claim Denials and Delays: Customers report denied claims due to policy miscommunications, like a summer policy incorrectly listed as September–December, leaving a boater uninsured during a collision. Another client waited eight months without payment for repairs or storage.

• Poor Customer Service: Some describe rude or unresponsive staff, like an adjuster (Kristen) accused of avoiding claim payments or a team that stopped responding after quoting a policy.

• Low Payouts: Clients note low claim settlements, such as $250 for a $10,000 boat repair based on NADA values or an $8,000 depreciation deduction, leaving significant out-of-pocket costs.

• Website Navigation: Seniors and first-time users find the website difficult to navigate, with unclear coverage details and minimal policy information online.

Strengths of SkiSafe Insurance

• Specialization: As a boat-only insurer, SkiSafe offers expertise and tailored policies for all watercraft types, from jet skis to yachts, unlike general insurers.

• Competitive Pricing: Quotes are often lower than competitors, with discounts for safety courses, winter layup, or multi-craft policies.

• Strong Underwriting: Backed by AXIS Insurance (A+ A.M. Best rating), ensuring financial stability for claims.

• Flexible Options: Customizable coverage (e.g., agreed value, towing) and online tools simplify the process for busy boaters.

• Positive Claims Experiences: When handled well, claims are processed quickly, with some adjusters earning high praise for professionalism.

Weaknesses of SkiSafe Insurance

• Depreciation Policy: High depreciation rates (up to 70% after 7 years) can drastically reduce claim payouts, leaving boaters with significant repair costs.

• Inconsistent Claims Handling: While some claims are smooth, others face denials, delays, or low settlements, frustrating customers.

• Customer Service Variability: Experiences range from stellar to unresponsive or rude, with no BBB or Trustpilot ratings to verify overall performance.

• Limited Transparency: Policy details are hard to access online, and the website’s navigation challenges seniors or new users.

• No Senior Discounts: Unlike competitors, SkiSafe offers no specific discounts for seniors, and lump-sum payments may be inconvenient.

SkiSafe vs. Competitors

Note: Progressive offers coverage up to 75–90 miles offshore (including Bimini), while SkiSafe’s navigational limits exclude parts of the U.S. southern coastline (e.g., Fernandina Beach to Brownsville) for saltwater policies, which may limit appeal for coastal boaters.

Who Should Choose SkiSafe?

• Ideal For: Boaters with newer vessels (less affected by depreciation), seeking affordable premiums, or needing simple, boat-specific coverage. Those valuing online quotes and discounts for safety courses or winter layup will benefit.

• Not Ideal For: Owners of older boats (7+ years), seniors needing clear website navigation, or boaters in southern coastal areas with restrictive navigational limits. Those prioritizing consistent claims handling may prefer larger insurers like Progressive.

Tips for Choosing SkiSafe

1. Read the Policy: Check depreciation terms (10%/year, max 70%) and coverage dates, especially for summer-only policies, to avoid surprises.

2. Verify Coverage Area: Confirm navigational limits, as saltwater policies exclude key U.S. coastal areas unless specified.

3. Compare Quotes: Use SkiSafe’s free online quote and compare with Progressive or Geico, which may offer towing perks or broader coverage.

4. Ask About Claims: Inquire about adjuster processes and repair shop recommendations, as SkiSafe lacks preferred vendors.

5. Check Reviews: Research recent feedback on forums like PlanetNautique or JetBoaters.net for real-world experiences.

Final Thoughts

SkiSafe Insurance offers a compelling option for boaters in 2025, with affordable premiums starting at $85, customizable coverage, and a focus on watercraft that sets it apart from general insurers. Its A+ underwriter (AXIS Insurance) and discounts for safety courses or winter layup appeal to cost-conscious boaters, and positive reviews highlight quick quotes and seamless claims for some.

However, significant drawbacks—high depreciation rates, inconsistent claims handling, and restrictive navigational limits—pose risks, especially for owners of older boats or those in southern coastal areas.

Customer service varies widely, and the website’s lack of transparency frustrates some users. Before choosing SkiSafe, compare quotes with Progressive or Geico, review policy terms carefully, and verify coverage for your boating needs. For newer boats and straightforward claims, SkiSafe can be a cost-effective choice, but diligence is key to avoid pitfalls.