Commercial Card

Does my membership cover me if I am a guest on a friend’s boat?

If the owner of the boat is onboard your membership privileges do not apply. However, if your friend joins and references your member number you earn a $25 credit toward your next renewal through our Refer-a-Friend program.

Why do I need Sea Tow if my insurance has a towing rider?

Does your insurance company have boats to service you? We are most likely going to be who you call for on-water assistance, so why pay out of pocket and then have to submit the bill to your insurance company for reimbursement? When you are not a member the average tow can cost $600 or more. Additionally, there may be dollar, distance, calendar or geographic limitations in your towing rider coverage – your rider may not cover the full cost of the tow. And don’t forget, Sea Tow members get priority service.

How does membership differ from boat insurance?

Although commonly referred to as such, a Sea Tow membership is not insurance. It's assurance. We'll come to your aid when things go wrong – towing you home, delivering fuel, or pulling you off a sandbar so you can get back on your way. It's our job to help ensure your safety and we take that seriously.

Boat insurance is intended to protect very significant investments – your boat, electronics and gear, etc. – because disasters strike unexpectedly. Many boaters choose to skip the insurance, but it is a huge risk to be left without the means to repair or replace the boat you've worked so hard to acquire, let alone handle legal costs should you be faced with lawsuits after an accident.

Having boat insurance is as common sense as maintaining a Sea Tow membership – the two are intended to work together to ensure your boating needs are met in unexpected situations, however minor or major they may be.

How do I sign up and what information do I need?

Signing up is easy and can be completed in just a few minutes. We accept membership applications online or by phone at (800) 4SEATOW (473-2869). When signing up, you'll be asked for the name, address and phone number of the person whose name appears on the boat registration(s), the year, make, length, color, name, registration or documentation number, and the hull and engine type of each vessel.

Additionally, we'll ask you for home port information regarding the primary vessel, specifically if the boat is trailered, kept at a marina, or docked at home. Following this, we'll ask you for the name of the boat ramp or marina you use most frequently, or the city and state where your home dock is located.

How long will it take for my membership to be activated?

Your membership is active 24 hours after we receive your payment. The dock-to-dock towing privileges become active after 30 days.

What happens after I join?

Sign up online and you’ll receive a confirmation email within a few minutes with your member number. Your Welcome Package including your membership card will follow in the mail approximately two weeks later.

Call our 24-hour call center and you’ll immediately be given your member number as well as the phone number of your designated local Sea Tow franchise. Your Welcome Package including your membership card will follow in the mail approximately two weeks later.

What if I need a tow before I get my membership card?

As long as your membership is active, covered services will be provided. Your local Sea Tow® office will be able to verify your membership. Having a copy of your member number available will expedite the process. Should you need assistance, just contact Sea Tow® on VHF Channel 16 or call (800) 4SEATOW (473-2869).

Should I join if there is no Sea Tow location in my area?

Yes. If you are in an area where Sea Tow is not yet operating, you would be covered under our Universal Towing Coverage, providing reimbursement up to $5000 per incident with no annual limit.

What is my home port?

A home port is the place you keep your boat. This could be a slip, dock, dry storage, a mooring, etc. If you trailer a boat your home port is the launch ramp you use most frequently. We assign you a home area based upon your home port.

What is my home area?

Your home area is the large geographic area of responsibility (AOR) that a Sea Tow franchise covers that will include your home port. For specific AOR boundaries please contact your local franchise.

How far offshore am I covered?

We do not have any specific offshore distance limits. How far offshore Sea Tow will go to get you is only limited by the sea conditions, fuel capacity of our boats and our ability to communicate with you. If, for any reason, Sea Tow cannot respond we will assist in arranging for an alternate provider and provide reimbursement up to $5000 per incident. In most cases, if we are unable to respond no other commercial assistance provider will be able to either, so we will defer to the U.S. Coast Guard.

How quickly can I expect Sea Tow to respond my request for help?

Response time varies with each situation, but we do everything we can to get to you quickly. Factors that affect response time include call volume, the size of the area your designated captain covers and the weather. Assistance calls are handled in the order they are received but as a member, you always receive priority service.

Do you provide coverage in the Bahamas?

Yes. You will be serviced in accordance with our Membership Agreement and U.S. Customs regulations.

How do I get in touch with Sea Tow when I need on-water assistance?

The quickest and safest way to contact your local Sea Tow® is on VHF radio Channel 16. Call "Sea Tow, Sea Tow, Sea Tow, this is the vessel __(name)___." The local Sea Tow captain will answer and take you to a working channel. All Sea Tow boats are painted yellow. Do not accept any other company. If there is no answer, call the U.S. Coast Guard, also on Channel 16, and ask for Sea Tow. You can also contact Sea Tow via phone at (800) 4SEATOW (473-2869). In emergency situations, always call the U.S. Coast Guard first.

How far offshore am I covered?

We do not have any specific offshore distance limits. How far offshore Sea Tow will go to get you is only limited by the sea conditions, fuel capacity of our boats and our ability to communicate with you. If, for any reason, Sea Tow cannot respond we will assist in arranging for an alternate provider and provide reimbursement up to $5000 per incident. In most cases, if we are unable to respond no other commercial assistance provider will be able to either, so we will defer to the U.S. Coast Guard.

How quickly can I expect Sea Tow to respond my request for help?

Response time varies with each situation, but we do everything we can to get to you quickly. Factors that affect response time include call volume, the size of the area your designated captain covers and the weather. Assistance calls are handled in the order they are received but as a member, you always receive priority service.

Who provides the Trailer Care roadside assistance services?

Since we specialize in on-water assistance, Sea Tow utilizes a third-party provider for roadside assistance. When you call us for help you will be transferred to the Trailer Care dispatch center who will locate the best provider for you. However, our Sea Tow representative will monitor your situation to ensure that service is provided in a timely and appropriate manner.

Can I add Trailer Care to my existing Sea Tow membership?

Absolutely, just give us a call at 800-4SEATOW (473-2869).

What is the difference between Trailer Care Marine vs. Trailer Care Universal?

Essentially, Trailer Care Marine provides services for any marine trailers you have (eg. boat, PWC). Trailer Care Universal not only provides service for your marine trailers, but for any other non-commercial trailers you own, except RVs (eg. utility, snow mobile).

How quickly can I expect Trailer Care to respond my request for help?

Response time varies with each situation, but we do everything we can to get to you quickly. Factors that affect response time include call volume, the location of your breakdown, weather and traffic conditions.

Will there be any out-of-pocket expenses in the event I need assistance?

Services are covered up to $300 per incident and do not cover the cost of parts, tires or fuel.

Sign-and-drive service is available in some areas. In cases where it is not available, you will need to submit an itemized bill for all services received. It must be postmarked within 60 days of the incident. All receipts will be reviewed and reimbursement issued promptly for covered services up to the $300 limit. Reimbursement requests can be submitted to the attention of Trailer Care and can be made via mail, email or fax 631-765-5801.

Can I find roadside assistance on my own?

Yes. You can choose to locate and employ your own service provider. The service provider must be licensed and insured. In this case, the above mentioned reimbursement procedures applies.