should i file an insurance claim

[cstultz]

The other day, I clipped a pole while pulling in through a gate. Left a pretty good scratch, knocked off a piece of lettering and popped the trim a bit. Should I file an insurance claim to have it fixed? The entire boat looks pretty "dull". It is in need of a gel coat to fix some of the other scratches on the other side. I just didn't have enough money to do that earlier. Maybe this is a way to get it done? Would they repair and repaint the whole boat to fix one deep scratch? I'm thinking matching the color would be difficult.

 

[Woodonglass]

What's your deductible??

 

[tpenfield]

Insurance has its way of getting their money back, so you will have to make that decision, based on your specific situation. Typically, insurance will fix the damage and not beyond that.

 

[cstultz]

Well... I figure this is why I pay for insurance. When my fridge broke and ruined my hardwood floors they paid to replace the whole floor because matching was virtually impossible. Thought this was similar

 

[greenbush future]

The accident didn't cause your entire boat to fade on gel coat, so my guess is they will not fix your entire boat, the cost to re-gel an entire boat could exceed the entire value of the boat. We lack many details to really offer a good opinion, but typically these ins. companies will only cover exactly what they have to, and nothing more. Value of boat, your type of insurance, the deductible, all play into the choice you will make. Pictures are always helpful .

 

[H20Rat]

So the boat was on a trailer? Make sure you actually have coverage to start with for that! Depending on your state and your insurance, sometimes that falls under your homeowners policy, auto policy, boat policy, or in some cases, a completely different coverage that you must purchase.

 

[cstultz]

After an initial glance.... Insurance should cover the boat damage up to 9,000. This will also include the engine repair. Which is why I was pulling into a small parking lot before. Boat policy is separate from auto and homeowners. Guess I will need to find out more

 

[Woodonglass]

I think you should have a conversation with your Ins. Agent. I'm betting you'll find that he paints a much different picture than what you expect. I fail to see how a Scratch to the hull could ever strrrrrrrretch into covering engine repair or anything else other than the repair of the actual damage. Do keep us posted with the Facts!!!! If it does, I want the # of your Insurance agent!!!

 

[tpenfield]

I do not believe the engine issues were from damage. . . More like regular maintenance and repair. Remember it is an insurance policy, not a lottery ticket. .. .. But do let us know how it plays out. Something to learn here perhaps.

 

[cstultz]

I hear ya. Technically, the engine problem led to the gouge/scratch. According to the repair shop, they would need to do the entire boat to match the paint/coat. We will see how that goes over. Insurance said engine isn't typically covered. But... I wonder why it shows that engine is covered on my policy

 

[tpenfield]

I hear ya. Technically, the engine problem led to the gouge/scratch. According to the repair shop, they would need to do the entire boat to match the paint/coat. We will see how that goes over. Insurance said engine isn't typically covered. But... I wonder why it shows that engine is covered on my policy

If your engine is subject to damage from an accident or other mishap, then it would most likely be covered . . . . if it is just a maintenance issue, then not.

 

[cstultz]

Ah... That makes sense. Luke damage from a squirrel chewing through a water line or something? That's bound to happen.

 

[midcarolina]

IMO...There is no sense in beating around the bush, Insurance premiums have sky rocketed in large part due to insurance fraud.......... what you are talking about is insurance fraud.........
It sure sounds to me like you are taking a minor incident of your own doing and using that to try and get a poorly maintained boat all shiny and new for the cost of your deductable.

Keep in mind your insurance company have seen it all before.... If you are denied the claim it will be noted and any future much more legitimate claims will be scrutinized much more closely........ thats if you don't receive a notice of cancellation near your renewal date.

 

[cstultz]

Absolutely completely disagree!!! I'm not taking a "minor" incident and getting a new shiny boat. I pay my policy and should get what it states. I do not want a half white boat and a half faded boat. Simple as that. Right now it matches, but there is a piece of trim that's likely to fly off when I'm driving down the road or on the water. My boat almost sank in the middle of a pretty big lake last week with me and my 2 kids. I'm hardly committing any type of fraud. Fraud would be if I didn't really hit a pole and said I did. I'm not lying to anyone about anything. And... What makes you think I have a poorly maintained boat???

 

[bruceb58]

You hit the side of your boat and now you want the engine repaired! Did you mean that or am I imagining something here.

 

[midcarolina]

Absolutely completely disagree!!! I'm not taking a "minor" incident and getting a new shiny boat. I pay my policy and should get what it states. I do not want a half white boat and a half faded boat. Simple as that. Right now it matches, but there is a piece of trim that's likely to fly off when I'm driving down the road or on the water. My boat almost sank in the middle of a pretty big lake last week with me and my 2 kids. I'm hardly committing any type of fraud. Fraud would be if I didn't really hit a pole and said I did. I'm not lying to anyone about anything. And... What makes you think I have a poorly maintained boat???

Fraud my friend comes in many sizes......re read your original post, then ask yourself what would my insurance agent think of that statement,

Now, If your insurance company cuts you a check to repair the damage and then you pay the difference to the repair shop to get the "other" scratches and fading repaired then that's a different story.

 

[tpenfield]

My understanding from your other thread is that the boat was leaking . . . you took it to the repair shop, (hitting the pole in the process) and the repair shop believes that the bellows need to be replaced (for about $1,100). The engine work would be a 'maintenance' item versus a 'damage' item. The scratch and rubrail repair would be the damage from the pole incident.

In most all cases, insurance policies cover liability, damage, & towing to some extent, . . . but not maintenance (right?) Unless you have a policy that covers maintenance :noidea:

Sounds like your scratch and rubrail will get fixed, and probably according to what the insurance adjuster dictates, not what the boat shop would like to see. (of course they want to re-finish the entire boat . . . what shop wouldn't ??)

If you have an insurance agent, they can advise you on the possibilities of a higher premium next year or even cancellation.

 

[cstultz]

You hit the side of your boat and now you want the engine repaired! Did you mean that or am I imagining something here.

You're imagining... I was questioning what "engine coverage" meant on my policy. After hearing your advices on what engine damage is, my comment "that's bound to happen" was sarcasm. Although I did have squirrels chew through my lawnmower. They're not sure its the bellows. They haven't looked yet.

 

[Woodonglass]

Amazing, Boat gets a Scratch and the Shop wants to Re-Gel the entire Boat and you want the insurance to Pay for it. I wish whenever my car got scratched my insurance would pay for an entire new Paint Job. Any shop worth their salt can fix the scratch and match the Gelcoat no matter how faded and discolored it is. If they can't find someone that can. You could buy a Gelcoat repair kit and within a couple of hours do it yourself with a little patience. The coverage you have on your boat, will dictate what they will pay for. I seriously doubt they will pay for a total Re-Gel job for on little scratch!

 

[zool]

For what its worth, I filed 3 boat insurance claims in my lifetime.

The 1st one I ran aground on a sand bar, they paid for the outdrive repair, and related engine analysis/repair, bottom paint.

The 2nd one, someone hit and ran my swim platform at the dock, they paid the repair.

The 3rd one was for my 28sf that hung up on a bulkhead at dock in a storm. The repair shop also priced in scratches around the hull, some related, some not, I was handed over to the investigative unit for questioning, had to prove where I docked was as stated in the policy...they ended up paying the claim (no where near the total cost), cancelling my policy, and blacklisting me to other insurers....the repair shop that wrote the estimate went unscathed.....wasn't worth the hassle in hindsight.