I've just been informed that my compression post is rotted on my 1986 Hunter31. The yard was drilling to snake some wires and found very soft wood. Now I am faced with replacing the post as well as the bulkhead. My question is "what success has anyone out there had with filing an insurance claim for this?"
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Insurance Companies are a bunch of ........
Alan: Most insurance companies are a bunch of xxxxxxxx. They want their money every year but really do not want to pay. They are usually fine when you have a total loss (not much to argue about). I suggest that you try to file a claim and see what happens (don't expect much). Once you have a determination from them you can proceed with the fix. You will need to remove the mast. Then they need to remove the post and the bulkhead. When these are done they should drill some holes in the crossmember to determine if there is any rot in that area too. Once this is done you will know where you are with the repairs. We had our bulkhead and the post replaced for about $3200. If you have to cut into the crossmemeber you may be looking at an additional $800-1000. It is one of those problem that you need to fix even if you want to sell the boat, so you may as well bite the bullet and have it done. I would proceed ASAP so you do not miss any of the sailing season. Be sure that you get a metal post when the repairs are done. If you do the cross member then they should consider using an aluminum crossmember too.
Alan: Most insurance companies are a bunch of xxxxxxxx. They want their money every year but really do not want to pay. They are usually fine when you have a total loss (not much to argue about). I suggest that you try to file a claim and see what happens (don't expect much). Once you have a determination from them you can proceed with the fix. You will need to remove the mast. Then they need to remove the post and the bulkhead. When these are done they should drill some holes in the crossmember to determine if there is any rot in that area too. Once this is done you will know where you are with the repairs. We had our bulkhead and the post replaced for about $3200. If you have to cut into the crossmemeber you may be looking at an additional $800-1000. It is one of those problem that you need to fix even if you want to sell the boat, so you may as well bite the bullet and have it done. I would proceed ASAP so you do not miss any of the sailing season. Be sure that you get a metal post when the repairs are done. If you do the cross member then they should consider using an aluminum crossmember too.
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John
some on this site have done this job themselves
check the archieves. I remember reading some descriptions where they did it while the boat was in the water with the mast up. I have heard of using pressure treated four by fours or teak I beams to do this. Not too bad if you are handy.
check the archieves. I remember reading some descriptions where they did it while the boat was in the water with the mast up. I have heard of using pressure treated four by fours or teak I beams to do this. Not too bad if you are handy.
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Terry
Hi Alan, my insurance company came through...
like troopers when I had my accident. Very please with the way they handled my claim and the finished repair. Whether your situation falls within their claim parameters you can find out by contacting them, or a reputable surveyor for their opinion about your situation. Terry
like troopers when I had my accident. Very please with the way they handled my claim and the finished repair. Whether your situation falls within their claim parameters you can find out by contacting them, or a reputable surveyor for their opinion about your situation. Terry
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David
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Bob F
Insurance companies not that bad
Insurance is not designed to cover maintainence items. If something wears out or has rotted over a long time its a maintenence issue. Polices cover "direct physical loss". I'm in the business & not all companies are bad.
Insurance is not designed to cover maintainence items. If something wears out or has rotted over a long time its a maintenence issue. Polices cover "direct physical loss". I'm in the business & not all companies are bad.
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Rich Wallace
Let's Put This In Perspective
I have been in the casualty insurance business for 30 years, mostly in Claims, and even went to the trouble (lots of it) to get a professional designation (CPCU) years ago. If you take your car to the garage and they tell you the fenders are rusted out, you would not expect your insurance company to pay for the repairs although you might go back to the manufacturer. This is no different. It is a maintenance item related to the ownership of that boat, and your insurance company will not be able to cover the repairs. We look for ways to cover losses (honest), but rotting is not going to be covered. Sorry.
I have been in the casualty insurance business for 30 years, mostly in Claims, and even went to the trouble (lots of it) to get a professional designation (CPCU) years ago. If you take your car to the garage and they tell you the fenders are rusted out, you would not expect your insurance company to pay for the repairs although you might go back to the manufacturer. This is no different. It is a maintenance item related to the ownership of that boat, and your insurance company will not be able to cover the repairs. We look for ways to cover losses (honest), but rotting is not going to be covered. Sorry.
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Michael O'
I still blame Hunter -not Insurance Co.
The fact that there have been so many "issues" with the H'31 compression post is evidence that this is a Hunter design issue (in my opinion). Some may blame the dealer for poor boat prep, but I believe that Hunter should have accepted responsibility for the poor design of the compression post and poor interior support beneath the mast of soft pine shims. Hunter should have offered to help pay for the reasonable cost of repair. There was no way for any new owner to look at the structure and discern any impending problem until it was too late. Hunter should have "gone the distance" with their customers by accepting responsibility and helping to remedy the design defect(s). This is not an insurable claim event. This was a poor design ticking away until the first bulge of the fiberglass appeared in the cross member over the doorway.
The fact that there have been so many "issues" with the H'31 compression post is evidence that this is a Hunter design issue (in my opinion). Some may blame the dealer for poor boat prep, but I believe that Hunter should have accepted responsibility for the poor design of the compression post and poor interior support beneath the mast of soft pine shims. Hunter should have offered to help pay for the reasonable cost of repair. There was no way for any new owner to look at the structure and discern any impending problem until it was too late. Hunter should have "gone the distance" with their customers by accepting responsibility and helping to remedy the design defect(s). This is not an insurable claim event. This was a poor design ticking away until the first bulge of the fiberglass appeared in the cross member over the doorway.
Insurance companies WILL pay for stupidity
If you run your boat into the rock or a fixed light they will pay. If the boat leaks because of a storm your SCREWED! Let's face it they are in business to make money and they have more ways to get out of paying on your policy that a gopher has escape holes. Don't put oil in your engine and they will pay but they don't like any type of a leak in a boat. If you roof leaks they will pay? Something wrong with this picture.
If you run your boat into the rock or a fixed light they will pay. If the boat leaks because of a storm your SCREWED! Let's face it they are in business to make money and they have more ways to get out of paying on your policy that a gopher has escape holes. Don't put oil in your engine and they will pay but they don't like any type of a leak in a boat. If you roof leaks they will pay? Something wrong with this picture.
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John K Kudera
Rich Wallace is Correct!
Insurance is for accidental losses, not maintenance issues, Also, we are talking about boats that are over 20 years old, how long should a manufacturer be liable? The Hunter boats are the greatest, I think the best for the money! Remember guys, we did not buy Hinkleys!
Insurance is for accidental losses, not maintenance issues, Also, we are talking about boats that are over 20 years old, how long should a manufacturer be liable? The Hunter boats are the greatest, I think the best for the money! Remember guys, we did not buy Hinkleys!
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