Boat US Insurance Claim Question

[Joe Mullee]

It's customary in the insurance business that when a client presents a property damage claim on their own policy there is a deductible. But what if the client "alleges" that the damage was caused by another party? Will Boat US waive the deductible PRIOR to an investigation? Has anyone who has Boat US as their carrier (an excellent company) experianced anything like this? Here's the scenario:

Two boats are rafted up in a no wake zone where there are many others anchored. The alleged offender comes thru the area in a 42' power boat at a high rate of speed throwing off a considerable wake thus causing the two rafted boats to bounce against one another to the point where each suffers thousands of dollars of damage to their gell coats, rub rails, etc. Each of the two rafted boaters presents a claim to their own company rather than pursue the offender directly. One captain had to pay his deductible and wait for his company to attempt subrogation. The other captain who is insured with Boat US stated he has already been paid for the damage by Boat US based on an estimate they did (though the repairs have not been performed yet) and they did not calculate a deductible into their payment.

Has anyone ever had this same type of experiance with Boat US waiving a deductible in their claim payment?

Thanks for any feedback.

Joe Mullee

 

[FourPoints]

not me. not exactly the same scenario, but I had a claim this spring when someone other than me (girlfriend) accidentally lit my galley on fire as she spilled a bottle of stove alchohol... they (Boat US) did take my deductible out of the payment.

 

[Rick D]

Not Customary

...I think there are some personal lines auto policies that offer such an 'enhancement' if memory serves me will from ads, but not likely marine. The normal process (check with them) would be for you to pay the deductible, they pay the balance, and if it's worth it, pursue the other responsible party for reimbursement and include your deductible. If you have expenses other than that not covered by your insurance, you are on your own to pursue them directly. Good luck and know I've been out of the biz for many moons!

 

[Benny17441]

Who talked to the adjuster?

 

[Maine Sail]

I suspect that unless you know the name of the boat that caused the wake, it was reported to the USCG and investigated and you have his insurance company and he is insured you're likely out your deductible. From what I can recall boats are liable for damages caused by their wakes. Insurance companies need to go after another one or the other policy holder to get their money back. If there is not one you're likely on the hook. Do you have witnesses and the boat name? If you have the name and hailing port the USCG documentation web site will allow you to track the owner down or use the state reg numbers if someone was able to write them down.

I've never understood why people raft anyway and I have seen quite a bit of damage result from it... A dinghy has always worked well for us. Then we don't have to worry about Joe six pack in his Sea Ray blasting though with a 6 foot wake....Perhaps someone can explain why people raft..?

 

[Stu Jackson]

It's the herding instinct. Some people "NEED" other people around them, all the time, on land as well as sea.

I love my anchoring out, solo.

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Last time our friends rafted up, I just tied my bow line to the stern cleat of one of the rafters. Each time I wanted to go between my boat and the raft, I just tugged on the line.

I know it doesn't help with the insurance question.