Wrong all people who have insurance for season 2025-2026 pay this.insurancy company simply rise price for next year.Also we in Croatia/London pay this. London rise in re-insurance and insurance companies rise price.
Minimum labor rate in the US is now close to $15/hr... and in some countries.... $1 or less. Does that give a slight clue?
If you are not in the salvage business fore decades I take your analysis with a grain of salt.
I was doing salvage from 2003-2016.
I raised many a boat (probably between 100-200) as 10 per year was common and on some days I helped raise 4-5/day after storms. A few resulted in minor environmental cleanup due toa lot of engine oil leaking out, but the vast majority had no cleanup necessary. The boats that did were the larger, offshore vessels that had a lot of oil/fuel in engines/tanks and extra stored on board
Occasionally I raised a few on my own with just the tow boat, come-a-long and trash pump. Rarely was the charge under $3000 even back 20 years ago in New Jersey, USA.
I used to cringe at the prices when the salvages went quick and smooth. I never cringed when they took all day and were dangerous as heck.
But salvage is like any business... you charge what you charge and win some and lose some.... so overall you hope you make a nice profit. But nice profit is not necessarily getting rich quick.
My boss explained to me he developed a flat rate per foot that usually kept the cost well within what it would cost if you detailed the invoice time/materials and labor. It was very popular with insurance companies as they almost never balked. In fact some would use us instead of their partner towing company because our prices were more competitive and the salvages almost all went well.
A lot of boaters have a bad opinion of people who tow and do salvage. I can't say I thought highly of them either as a Coastie or a boater till I did it for many years. My bosses were trustworthy, honest men whom I respected a lot. There were a few assistance towing companies I didn't think so highly of, but it wasn't because of their pricing as it wasn't a whole lot different than most.
Before discussing towing salvage, I suggest walking a mile in their shoes and learn something about it beyond internet banter.