Vacation packages
Stays
Cars
Flights
Support
AARP Member Savings
My Trips
AARP.org
Join
Renew

Bay Palms Waterfront Resort - Hotel and Marina

3.0 star property
Family-friendly hotel with a marina and a fitness center

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Bay Palms Waterfront Resort - Hotel and Marina

Dock
Boating
One Bedroom Suite: 1 Queen Bed and 1 Sleeper Sofa | Private kitchenette | Full-size fridge, microwave, stovetop, coffee/tea maker
Marina
Marina
Bay Palms Waterfront Resort in Belle Vista blends relaxation and adventure by the water. Guests enjoy marina views from the terrace with easy fishing and kayaking access. The outdoor pool offers a refreshing break, while the gym and playground entertain the whole family.

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Room service
  • Pet friendly
  • Pool
  • Gym
  • Laundry
  • Air conditioning

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 10 of 10 rooms

View all photos for Standard Room: 2 Double Beds

Standard Room: 2 Double Beds | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Standard Room: 2 Double Beds

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)

Highlights

Yard
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Free cribs/infant beds
Kitchen
  • 33 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for One Bedroom Suite: 1 Queen Bed and 1 Sleeper Sofa

One Bedroom Suite: 1 Queen Bed and 1 Sleeper Sofa | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

One Bedroom Suite: 1 Queen Bed and 1 Sleeper Sofa

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(4 reviews)

Highlights

Yard
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Free cribs/infant beds
Kitchen
  • 46 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Efficiency Suite: 1 Queen Bed and 1 Sleeper Sofa

Deluxe Efficiency Suite: 1 Queen Bed and 1 Sleeper Sofa | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Deluxe Efficiency Suite: 1 Queen Bed and 1 Sleeper Sofa

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(7 reviews)

Highlights

Yard
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Free cribs/infant beds
Kitchen
  • 33 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Suite, 1 Queen Bed with Sofa bed, Marina View

Suite, 1 Queen Bed with Sofa bed, Marina View | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Suite, 1 Queen Bed with Sofa bed, Marina View

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Yard
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Free cribs/infant beds
Kitchen
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Two Bedroom Suite: 2 Queen Beds and 1 Sleeper Sofa

Deluxe Two Bedroom Suite: 2 Queen Beds and 1 Sleeper Sofa | Private kitchenette | Full-size fridge, microwave, stovetop, coffee/tea maker

Deluxe Two Bedroom Suite: 2 Queen Beds and 1 Sleeper Sofa

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Yard
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Free cribs/infant beds
Kitchen
  • 60 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Standard Room: 1 Queen Bed

Standard Room: 1 Queen Bed | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Standard Room: 1 Queen Bed

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(5 reviews)

Highlights

Yard
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Free cribs/infant beds
Kitchen
  • 33 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Standard Room: 1 Queen Bed and 1 Sleeper Sofa

Standard Room: 1 Queen Bed and 1 Sleeper Sofa | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Standard Room: 1 Queen Bed and 1 Sleeper Sofa

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(5 reviews)

Highlights

Yard
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Free cribs/infant beds
Kitchen
  • 33 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Deluxe One Bedroom Suite: 2 Queen Beds and 1 Sleeper Sofa

Deluxe One Bedroom Suite: 2 Queen Beds and 1 Sleeper Sofa | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Deluxe One Bedroom Suite: 2 Queen Beds and 1 Sleeper Sofa

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(5 reviews)

Highlights

Yard
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Free cribs/infant beds
Kitchen
  • 56 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Deluxe One Bedroom Suite: 1 Queen Bed and 2 Sleeper Sofas

Deluxe One Bedroom Suite: 1 Queen Bed and 2 Sleeper Sofas | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Deluxe One Bedroom Suite: 1 Queen Bed and 2 Sleeper Sofas

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(4 reviews)

Highlights

Yard
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Free cribs/infant beds
Kitchen
  • 56 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Double Sofa Beds

View all photos for Deluxe One Bedroom Suite: 2 Queen Beds and 2 Sleeper Sofas

Deluxe One Bedroom Suite: 2 Queen Beds and 2 Sleeper Sofas | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Deluxe One Bedroom Suite: 2 Queen Beds and 2 Sleeper Sofas

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)

Highlights

Yard
Separate sitting area
Individually furnished
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Free cribs/infant beds
Kitchen
  • 56 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 8
  • 2 Queen Beds and 2 Double Sofa Beds

You may also like

Ad
On the beach, beach cabanas, beach volleyball, 2 beach bars

Sirata St. Pete Beach

St. Pete Beach
  • Pool
  • Hot Tub
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning
7.4 out of 10, Good, 2,435 reviews
Sirata St. Pete Beach

About the neighborhood

Map
4237 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach, FL, 33706

What's nearby

  • Pass-a-Grille Beach - 5 min walk - 0.3 miles
  • Splash Island Water Park - 17 min walk - 0.9 miles
  • Eckerd College - 6 min drive - 4.0 miles
  • Upham Beach - 7 min drive - 1.7 miles
  • John's Pass Village & Boardwalk - 12 min drive - 6.2 miles

Getting around

  • Tampa Intl. Airport (TPA) - 33 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Crabby Bill's Seafood - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Undertow Beach Bar - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Drunken Clam Bar & Grille - ‬4 min walk

About this property

Bay Palms Waterfront Resort - Hotel and Marina

Family-friendly hotel near St. Petersburg - Clearwater Beaches
Take advantage of a marina, a grocery/convenience store, and a terrace at Bay Palms Waterfront Resort - Hotel and Marina. Active travelers can enjoy amenities like parasailing and fishing at this hotel. Enjoy the gym, as well as activities like kayaking. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi, and guests can find other amenities such as a garden and a playground.
Additional perks include:
  • An outdoor pool
  • An electric car charging station, express check-out, and laundry services
  • A front-desk safe, wedding services, and barbecue grills
  • Luggage storage, beach towels, and multilingual staff
  • Guest reviews say great things about the helpful staff
Room features
All guestrooms are individually furnished, and offer comforts such as premium bedding and laptop-compatible safes, in addition to thoughtful touches like air conditioning and separate sitting areas.
More conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding and free cribs/infant beds
  • Bathrooms with tubs or showers and free toiletries
  • 42-inch Smart TVs with premium channels and DVD players
  • Private yards, separate sitting areas, and kitchens

Similar properties

Suite, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed, Balcony (Gulf Front View) | Balcony view

Plaza Beach Hotel Beachfront Resort

  • On private beach
  • Pool
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, 1,024 reviews
Plaza Beach Hotel Beachfront Resort

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Limited onsite parking

Food and drink

  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Fishing
  • Gym
  • Kayaking
  • Library
  • Outdoor pool
  • Parasailing
  • Personal motorized watercraft
  • Playground
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • Arcade/game room
  • DVD player
  • Grocery/convenience store
  • In-room crib
  • In-room full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • In-room kitchen
  • In-room microwave
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Playground

Conveniences

  • ATM
  • Grocery/convenience store
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Beach cabanas (surcharge)
  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels
  • Garden
  • Marina
  • On the bay
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • No elevator

More

  • 1 building
  • 2 floors
  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Free crib
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Bathtub or shower
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 42-inch smart TV with premium cable channels
  • DVD player
  • MP3 dock

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Full-sized refrigerator/freezer
  • Kitchen
  • Microwave
  • Room service
  • Stovetop

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Ceiling fan
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Desk
  • Free local calls
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop-compatible safe
  • Phone
  • Separate sitting area

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4 PM; Check-in end time: 11 PM
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
The check-in location differs from the property location; go to: [Plaza Beach Hotel, 4506 Gulf Blvd, St Pete Beach, FL 33706]
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you arrive at the property after hours, you'll need to check in at an alternate location: [Plaza Beach Hotel, 4506 Gulf Blvd in St. Pete Beach, FL 33706]

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 45 per pet, per night, plus a deposit of USD 50.00 per stay
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Up to 50 lbs per pet
An off-leash area is available

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Free cribs are available on request at the property

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Resort fee: USD 39 per accommodation, per night
The resort fee includes:
  • Beach access
  • Beach towels
  • Business center/computer access
  • Fitness center access
  • In-room safe
  • Laundry facilities
  • Lending library access
  • Nearby fitness center access
  • Parking
  • Partner property access
  • Partner property pool access
  • Phone calls
  • Pool access
  • Self parking

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Pet deposit: USD 50.00 per stay
  • Pet fee: USD 45 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation

Property is also known as

Bay Palms Waterfront Resort Hotel
Bay Palms Waterfront Resort Hotel St. Pete Beach
Bay Palms Waterfront St. Pete Beach
Bay Resort Hotel Palms
Bay Waterfront Resort Hotel
Palms Resort Hotel Bay
Palms Resort Hotel Waterfront
Resort Hotel Bay Palms
Waterfront Palms Resort Hotel
Waterfront Resort Hotel Palms
Bay Palms Waterfront
Bay Palms Waterfront Hotel Saint Pete Beach
Bay Palms Waterfront Resort - Hotel And Marina St. Pete Beach
Bay Palms Waterfront Resort Hotel Marina
Bay Palms Waterfront St Pete
Bay Palms Waterfront Marina
Bay Palms Waterfront Resort - Hotel and Marina Hotel
Bay Palms Waterfront Resort - Hotel and Marina St. Pete Beach

Frequently asked questions

Does Bay Palms Waterfront Resort - Hotel and Marina have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Bay Palms Waterfront Resort - Hotel and Marina pet-friendly?

Yes, Bay Palms Waterfront Resort - Hotel and Marina allows pets with a maximum weight of up to 50 lbs per pet. There's a deposit of USD 50.00 per stay and a fee of USD 45 per pet, per night. Service animals are exempt from fees.

How much is parking at Bay Palms Waterfront Resort - Hotel and Marina?

Limited spots are available.

What time is check-in at Bay Palms Waterfront Resort - Hotel and Marina?

Check-in start time: 4 PM; Check-in end time: 11 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Bay Palms Waterfront Resort - Hotel and Marina?

Check-out is at 11 AM. Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability).

Where is Bay Palms Waterfront Resort - Hotel and Marina located?

This family-friendly St. Pete Beach hotel is located on the waterfront, within a 10-minute walk of St. Petersburg - Clearwater Beaches, Pass-a-Grille Beach, and Dolphin Landings Charter Boat Center. Splash Island Water Park and Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve are also within 1 mi (2 km).

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Reviews

Bay Palms Waterfront Resort - Hotel and Marina Reviews

8.4

Very Good

9.0

Cleanliness

8.8

Location

9.0

Staff & service

9.2

Eco-friendliness

8.6

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 272 out of 517 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 147 out of 517 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 46 out of 517 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 30 out of 517 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 22 out of 517 reviews

Reviews

8/10 Good

Donald

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Property manager was awesome. EVERYONE SHOULD BE AWAKE OF THE " RESORT CHARGE"
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Charles

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great beach access, friendly staff, reasonably priced , nice beach bar and volleyball court. Pool still under repair from the hurricane but ocean right there.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Small boutique motel with a great location with a pool and across the street from the beach
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Janai

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had to stay overnight before a road trip and this was a fun location for myself and my husband. It had everything we needed in a hotel. Loved the quirky artwork!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Wonderful stay

We had a wonderful relaxing stay and enjoyed the close proximity to the beach , but also the comfort of the pool and loungers. The staff ere extremely helpful.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gus

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great Vacastay

Very well maintained, clean with friendly staff and clientele. Family environment and complimentary hour in main hotel lobby
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Wendy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hotel was super cute and spacious. I’ll definitely be back!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved our stay! We are walking wanderers so this spot was very centralized and easy walk in either direction to any bar or restaurant, or just a short drive to anything 2 miles north or south. It was great to have access to the bigger pool at the plaza and beach access with our wristbands. It was a great room and perfect for us and we would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kevin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
A great place. The staff responds quickly to any concerns. I'll stay here again
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

DEANNA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great place

Our stay was wonderful, very quiet spot on the inter-coastal side of the Gulf. The places are small but have all the necessities. Very clean and the ceiling fans are wonderful.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I liked its proximity to the beach and the fact that 3 properties share amenities
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kelly

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Hidden gem

Really cute resort- very kind and helpful staff. No frills but all the necessities.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Sandy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Friendly staff

Alexis made the entire stay wonderful. She helped with our bags and answered all questions with a smile.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Marco

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Room was so clean and people always care about us
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

camille

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
Patking lot was very small. Did not know this property was more like a Motel. It was very small but clean and the deck over the pier was great. We stayed just 1 night.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Sandra

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great place to relax

Just an overnight stay booked at last minute. Great views and several restaurants within walking distance. Parking not so great, having to travel back and forth while fighting traffic between the facilities was a little stressful
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ant

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Excellent staff. Very helpful
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Phillip

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Everything was great except our double bed room. It's a little to small for a family but me made the best of it.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

Keith

Started out a little rocky two seniors looking for the office in the middle of the night but after talking with the office staff the next day the remainder of the stay was pleasant.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

8/10 Good

Jessica

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brenda

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We were very pleased with everything. the only surprise is the office for check-in was not at the address given through Expedia. I'm not sure how long it would have taken us to learn where check in was, except for another guest.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2022

6/10 Okay

Ovidio R

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

Our stay was with fear

Not so good
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean and spacious rooms. A selection of pools. Free Happy Hour. Right off the beach. The kids loves the outdoor games. One thing that isn’t clear is the pet fee which is $45 per night per dog. We only stayed one night and loved the place so it was worth it but I could see how this could add up. Other than that we loved this place!

4/10 Poor

Helayne

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
I did not realize that I was not on the beach side but down the block and across the street. The room lacked many amenities like two end tables for the bed. I had to put my things (glasses, water bottle, etc) on the floor. The sofa in the first room was too uncomfortable to sit on. The second room had no sofa at all.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

6/10 Okay

Carol

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities

Good location but not a great stay.

I think this could be a decent place to stay for a family that just wants to be close to the beach and is willing to make concessions. My one-bedroom suite was clean and had newer furniture and amenities. Tiny kitchenette was decently appointed. However, being on the first floor, there were only two windows that really couldn’t be opened for safety reasons. One faced busy Gulf Boulevard and the other, the very narrow hallway. Plus, they are covered in a vinyl film for privacy, so the room was extremely dark. Queen mattress too soft and squeaky. Parking is on a single narrow strip in front of the building and 3 feet away from Gulf Boulevard. Extremely dangerous backing out and pulling in isn’t much better. Pets are allowed, but very limited green space. Tiny pool closes at sunset. Dock seating area is nice. Check in for this unit was across the street and three buildings down. It was arduous as I had added an extra day and everything had to be duplicated with the first reservation and second. Extra charges for resort fee and pets. Not an inexpensive stay, but again you’re paying for the location. Be vigilant about room choice.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

  • † More information about the $50 gift card with flight package benefit may be found at: https://www.expedia-aarp.com/lp/b/vacationpackages50prepaid

  • English Copyright 1995 – 2025. All rights reserved. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the Expedia User Agreement and Privacy Policy. Expedia pays a royalty fee to AARP for the use of AARP’s intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purpose of AARP. All goods or services and discounts offered via the AARP® Travel Center powered by Expedia ®, are provided by third-party suppliers. AARP and its affiliates do not endorse and are not responsible for the goods or services and discounts made available on this site. Offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the AARP® Travel Center powered by Expedia® directly for full details. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers.