Insurance Claim

[radovix]

Dear All:

I need some advice: my boat was hit by a lightning and radio, depth sounder, autopilot, and VHF are burned.

I am insured and the insurance answer that they will repay.

Now:

How to make the claim?
(prepare an estimate? do the work and then present the bill to the insurance? should the estimate done by a pro?)

They will rise the fare next year?

Thanks

[tommays]

They would generally send and adjuster to look at the damage as thee may be other issues

[sailingdog]

If the insurance company isn't paying for a survey, I'd switch companies. Lightning can do massive damage through out a boat, and a survey after being hit by lightning is generally a wise idea.

[radovix]

In the claim I have to ask for a survey by the insurance?

[SEMIJim]

Not that I have vast experience, or, indeed, any direct experience, with lightning hits, but...

ISTM if all that's happened is his electronics are fried, and there's no visible physical damage anywhere on the boat (no bits blown off; no scorch or burn marks; no carbon tracks anywhere; nothing melted, bubbled or warped), odds are it wasn't a direct hit, but merely a nearby hit.

Something that's very well-grounded, and sized to handle it, can take (some) direct lightning hits w/o apparent ill effect (e.g.: Lightning rod systems, properly designed and installed antenna systems), but a sailboat would not qualify in that respect, IMHO.

Jim

[radovix]

A nearby hit can vaporize the plastic cover of the VHF antenna, that I fund nearby the helm, and blow the windex at top of the mast?

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by radovix

A nearby hit can vaporize the plastic cover of the VHF antenna, that I fund nearby the helm, and blow the windex at top of the mast?

That would qualify as "bits blown off; scorch or burn marks; carbon tracks; or things melted, bubbled or warped," which you failed to mention in your OP. Sounds like a direct hit, in which case SD's recommendation is eminently sensible.

Jim

[radovix]

Thanks,
SD stands for?

[Iflyka200s]

Former Insurance adjuster...

Get ready. Get all your paperwork together. Receipts, estimates, anything and everything you can find, the more documentation you have the better.

I'd start calling yards and get an estimate for the repairs. Tell the shop you were hit by lightning and ask them for their advice. The adjuster will come out (or call) and will tell you what they need from you re: information.


Good Luck!

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by radovix

Thanks,
SD stands for?

sailingdog? 2nd respondent to your query?

Jim