Boat hit by careless driver. Now what?

[Rugbyguy]

On my way to the river yesterday, a lady toasted a stop sign and t-boned my boat. Knocked the boat right off the trailer, both trailer tires went flying, sparks every where, not a good afternoon. Boat appears to be a total loss. Other driver received a citation. Wrecked the tow hitch on my vehicle and ruined the rear bumper as well.

I just bought the boat a month ago, I didn't even have it added to my insurance yet. The boat is a 2001, but has only had a half a tank of gas run through it between me and the previous owner. It was in mint condition.

My insurance will handle my claim for my vehicle, that shouldn't be a problem. What is the process for my boat? How do I recover the value? What about all of the add ons? I have a spreadsheet started with replacement values. Do I turn that over to her insurance, mine, or both?

To make the best out of a bad situation, I would hope her insurance would fix my vehicle, cut me a check for the boat, and allow me to start boat shopping again.

Any tips or advice would be appreciated. I don't want to lose my hind end on this.

[RebelSS]

O wow...that sucks. Sorry to hear that. You will have to sue her insurance carrier for damages. Find a competent attorney first that deals with accidents/negligence.

Too much to go into deatil here, but there are MANY Minnesota laws/applications that apply to this type of insurance situation that you need to be aware of. Some are good, and some are lousy governing what you can and can't do. I've proceeded to phase two of my lawsuit (phase one was won with large lump sum settlement)

against an Insurace company for close to the same thing, and we're into year three...and that's with a big top dog attorney who's also a fishing buddy. Don't delay!!! It takes a long time, because they can and will legally delay on every ground they can. You will also be able to recover all monetary and court costs. Good luck.

[King Canada]

Start with your own insurance conpamy and insist that they represent your interests

[thatoneguy]

Her insurance should cover the damage to both your boat and vehicle.

[highlife4me]

Assuming the other party even has insurance - one never knows - her insurance should cover your damages no questions asked. I wouldn't contact an attorney just yet. I would make some calls and give it no more than a week if you are not getting anywhere I would get an attorney involved.

[herefish101]

I would have had a grand moll meltdown right there on the road, people need to learn how to drive.

[RebelSS]

There's a BIG difference between what insurance companies SHOULD do and what REALLY happens.

I just was forced into an early retirement on disability after 27 years in law enforcment/Security field because some stupid cow rear-ended me on a bright, sunny December morning while I was on my way to work, sitting at a stop sign. She was tagged, I went to the ETU in an ambulance. How many times did I deal with that on a daily basis...now it was me.

It took 2 years to get money out of her company, and now I'm fighting my "Wonderful, big name Insurance Company" to honor my Underinsured (Not Un-insured) motorist coverage. (She had the minimum policy) Ya, right. Insurance companies are like anyone else, they're in it to make money. Two things I learned...Go WAY more than the basic 100/300 policy, and don't waste time if the insurance companies involved don't pay up right away. Even though your is not a PI accident, it still represents a substantial monetary claim. Get some good legal counsel. Just my Hope you get lucky!

[FM_Mike]

Sorry it happened and I know it is not your fault but no insurance?? That is just not something I would ever consider not having. When or if you get this settled, insure your rig.

There are to many what ifs to even go into on this post.I have insurance not only for my safety but for the safety of others that may be injured by something I may have done. IE (Hit someones boat while on the water).

Hope it all works out.

Mike

[Triple_D]

I would immediately talk to a good plaintiff's attorney, they will meet with you for free to assess your case. If you have a good chance at winning, and it sounds like you do, you would sign a retainer agreement. You likely will not even have to pay them, they will collect once there is a settlement or if they win at trial. Don't be afraid to meet with more than one attorney before signing to get a consensus and find one you like.

You may have coverage through your insurance, they may pay for some/all of your claim and go after her insurer to get what they paid out, that's called subrogation.

You likely will be disappointed in what you thought your mint boat was worth as they will use the NADA 10 year old values.

Don't ever try and tranport a boat without being insured first in my opinion, not a good idea. Boat insurance is very cheap and I just had a claim where my insurance company paid an $11,000 claim on my boat, best $172 I ever spent was buying that annual boat insurance policy.

I agree that this might be a long and frustrating process, good luck.

[Wanderer]

I'd have to read my policy or ask my agent but I'm pretty sure the boat and trailer are covered under your vehicle policy when your trailer is connected to your vehicle. It's the one time you should be safe without a separate boat owner's policy.

Your boat owners policy covers your liability on the water and damages (if you choose) in case something happens to it at a time it is not hooked to your vehicle.

Another one of those "Read your policy" moments but worth checking into.

Good luck.

[SCCO9803]

Wanderer has it right. You should be covered since it was attached to your vehicle. Good luck!

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Sorry for your loss. I hate to say it, but I would be surprised if you make out on this. They will value your rig on a scale with all the others of that age, regardless of how great it was. One more reason why I hate these guys.

Please let us know how it works out. If you have a great experience with an insurance company, that would be valuable info to pass along.

[jeffreyd]

my insurance (progressive) says anything that is attached to my truck is covered. I do however have insurance on my trailer and quads. It is a security thing to me. Good luck this just stinks

[pulleye16]

It sucks but you gambled and lost. I hope you can get it worked out but YOU NEED to buy insurance on something the second you buy it. A month is a long time for your property to get damaged and this should be a lesson to everyone. Just think if you injured someone while out on the lake.

Have you met someone who got injured in an accident and the other motorist didn't have insurance? It's horrible for that person and they can very easliy run out of "un-insured" motorist money...and ruin their life cause someone felt they "didn't need" insurance.

sorry for your loss but do all of us a favor who share the water and roads with you...GET INSURED!

[RumRiverRat]

Good Luck with getting replacement value.

Regardless of your spreadsheet and what you think the value is, the insurance company will compare it to all boats of the same make model and year as yours and place a value on it.

It sucks, but attorneys will cost money and you might get a settlement in 2 to 20 years.

You can sue the other party involved but if they do not have the money, good luck collecting if you win.

The very day you buy something that needs insurance you contact your insurance company.

You had a month to get insurance and gambled nothing would happen.

You lost the gamble and have learned a very hard lesson............the hardest lessons to learn usually have a suck factor that is off the charts.

[ANYFISH2]

He gambled but his boat is covered here(unless his auto insurance is unlike any I have seen). He may not get what he feels the boat is worth but he will be paid for the loss. In most cases his insurance will go after the at fault drivers insurance. If he got hit on the water he may have gambled and lost then, that not the case here.

[RumRiverRat]

He gambled but his boat is covered here(unless his auto insurance is unlike any I have seen). He may not get what he feels the boat is worth but he will be paid for the loss. In most cases his insurance will go after the at fault drivers insurance. If he got hit on the water he may have gambled and lost then, that not the case here.

With proper boat insurance that will cover replacement value he would have nothing to worry about.

[Esox_Magnum]

my insurance (progressive) says anything that is attached to my truck is covered. I do however have insurance on my trailer and quads. It is a security thing to me. Good luck this just stinks

My buddy had that on his truck to and after a deer incident where his boat ended up on it's top in the middle of the road he found out it only covered $500. Boat was insured to but not covered unless in the water or stored. The way I have my boat policy written mines covered no matter what happens as well as seperate ryders on electronics and equipment in the boat and any friends equipment...

[yaggie]

I am actually shocked at how many people here suggest suing right away. That would be a last result. Since you only had the boat one month it should be very simple unless the other party is uninsured. If it is totaled you should expect to get the same as you paid for it as there would be minimal depreciation for one month. If how ever you feel the boat was worth more than you paid for it and expect to get paid more than you paid, well good luck.

[Down Deep]

I've had two boat claims - One was when I hit a moose and totaled a boat. Collision/Comprehensive paid for the car and the boat policy paid for the boat. The second claim was when a guy rear-ended my boat while I was stopping for a red light. Again the boat, motor and trailer was totaled. The other guy's insurance company paid. I didn't have any problem with either claim.

I deal with liability claims as a part of my job mainly in collecting damages from insurance companies. I can tell you that you will be treated fairly as long as you are reasonable and work to solve the claim. Right now you should be putting your claim together. Decide what you think is fair value for your boat, motor, trailer (condition does matter) and any equipment that was damaged. Make sure you meet with the adjuster present the details of the loss. Don't take a hostile attitude and wait till you hear the settlement offer before discussing any additional reimbursement. Then compare offers and negotiate. The insurance company isn't going to give you a dime more than what their book values state so do your research so you can show other comparable rigs with a higher value. Make sure that all your dealings are cordial and businesslike. If you don't like the numbers the adjuster comes in with you can always appeal to their supervisor. The key to a good settlement is to be reasonable.

[Tom7227]

You don't need a lawyer yet.

Your insurance carrier will pay for your repairs. You'll go through the standard process and hopefully things will go relatively smoothly.

Your insurance company then has a right to collect from her insurance company. It's called subrogation. You don't really need to get involved with that and really shouldn't care how it comes out.

If you have injuries your carrier will pay a fairly minimal amount of money for medical expenses.

If you have permanent injuries you may need a lawyer to help collect compensation for that.

Now you're going to find out how good your insurance agent and carrier are, and you will also learn to rue the day that you bought into one of those ads about cheap coverage.

[BobT]

I'd have to read my policy or ask my agent but I'm pretty sure the boat and trailer are covered under your vehicle policy when your trailer is connected to your vehicle. It's the one time you should be safe without a separate boat owner's policy.

Your boat owners policy covers your liability on the water and damages (if you choose) in case something happens to it at a time it is not hooked to your vehicle.

Another one of those "Read your policy" moments but worth checking into.

Good luck.

You are absolutely correct. A trailer in tow is covered under your auto insurance policy. I just went through this with my insurance agents as I was doing some shopping and discussed this very topic. In fact, you boat insurance does not cover the boat while it is in tow.

[Surface Tension]

I'd wouldn't worry about it.

Being that you just bought the boat you should have a receipt for what you paid.

You'd be jumping the gun to sue or get an attorney and more then likely just delayed a settlement.

[Ed Carlson]

We are making an assumption that the tow vehicle is fully covered..Comprehensive Full Coverage..right? If for instance it had just liability I can't see the tow item being covered...or am I missing something here?

Boat insurance generally covers loss in storage or at rest, theft or vandalism, damage due to on the water collisions, liability or loss of life coverage.....but not damage in transit under tow unless it has a specific rider attached to the policy to cover this. There are many levels of coverage options here too. $500K to several Million if one wished on liability alone.

[uffdapete]

On an encouraging note, I've had satisfactory results with both my insurance company and the "other" insurance company when that was necessary.

One auto ins. company made a lowball offer after their insured ran a red light and totaled both cars so I was advised by my agent to rent a car immediately and let them know the meter was running. They settled within a few days to my satisfaction. More recently someone ran a stop light and totaled our car and their other party's adjuster even made allowances for $1500 worth of recent repairs on our 15 year old car.

They are in it to make money but are also relieved when they know there's no medical situation involved. Boats and cars can be a bargain for ins companies compared to dr. bills. Speak softly and carry a big stick. Hope this turns out okay for you.