There May Be A Difference...
...in what you are condidering as an 'adjuster'. If it is simply the repair supervision, it doesn't make any difference if it is the same person on both boats or not. If it is the liability determination, the liability adjuster is supposed to be your advocate which would be hard to do for both owners in a contested liability case. (Of course, being your advocate doesn't mean they wouldn't call a situation your fault; it isn't the same as having a personal attorney.) All this may be mute if the insurer is simply going to pay both of you under your hull coverage and waive your deductibles, since a liability determination isn't necessary. That happens sometimes in auto coverage; it keeps the insurance company from having to tick off one or both customers and can be a marketing bonus, but I don't know how many still practice it; in some jurisdictions, they can't and it kind of screws up the pricing. I'd be surprised if it happens in a maritime policy, however, it is often the case that the repairs will initially be made under the hull coverage and then a liability determination be made later. Still, Ken's experience was that the deductible was waived, so what do I know? This is probably more info than anyone needs, but Andy's question was on point: he should have his own liability adjuster as a matter of fairness and general industry practice. RD
