How to Make a Boat Insurance Claim

If you have a boat that suffers damage in an accident, you'll want to file a boat insurance claim with your insurance company. This can be a long process, but it is necessary for you to recoup your losses.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Get the insurance information, names and addresses from the other party or parties involved in the accident, as soon as you sustain the damage. This could be another boat, a marina or another third party. Save this information for the insurance company.
2. Take pictures of the damage as soon as possible. The claims representative from the insurance company may also take pictures, but it doesn't hurt to have pictures that you've taken immediately after the incident.
3. Get several written estimates of what it will cost to repair your boat. Three is usually acceptable. Make sure you get as much detail as possible when you get your estimates back so the insurance claims people can understand the nature of the damage.
4. Call a claims representative from the insurance company to make your claim. The claims representative may come out, take pictures and help you fill out the claims form, which will allow you to tell your side of the incident. The claims representative may also interview witnesses and any other parties who were involved in the accident.
5. Wait for your check to arrive from the insurance company. This may take only a few weeks or as long as several months, but it will be processed only after all of the claims forms have been filled out and your claim has been approved.
6. Receive your check from the insurance company, which you can then use to repair your boat. The amount of your check will most likely be equal to the lowest repair estimate that the insurance company received.