Pascal said:
randy, what's the coverage area on your policy/binder ?
Just a note regarding State Farm's knowlege on boats. Up until this storm started making the news, I just laughed it off. But now...?
Three weeks after purchasing my 58, State Farm called and decided they needed a market value and general condition survey before they could issue a policy (something they have never requested before). Pat Bustle aka Liquid Asset is helping me with this, and he asked for clarification on exactly what they were looking for. The girl in the office copied me on the ensuing e-mails, and my 58TC was referred to by State Farm as "Randy's houseboat".
Yes, this is the same girl who asked if my 58 had a trailer.
When I took FREEBIRD to Riviera Dunes, I had them fax proof of insurance. Despite the reference to the 58 on the cover page, the policy info was on my 41DC. They had referred to it as a "Bubble Cabin".
Then, last week, came the ultimate topper. The Boston Whaler I purchased 3 weeks ago became the topic of discussion as it too was still under a binder. The agent called and asked if I had a picture of the boat as their underwriter was questioning the earlier information that showed it as an I/O. There was no designation for a jet-drive in their propulsion category. I informed her that I did not have any pictures, but I would be glad to bring the boat by so they could take a picture. She took pictures of the hull and had me tilt the console so she could take a picture of the Yamaha 650cc engine (50HP). She also noted the serial number on the engine.
The next day, she called my office with some "bad news". Seems the underwriter told her my Whaler was "home-made" because NADA doesn't list a 14' Rage, or any jet-drive boat, in their 1992 listings of Whalers! Therefore, he was declining to insure it! After laughing out loud, I gave her Whaler's toll-free number and advised her to tell her underwriter to look at the '93 NADA listings which did show the boat. She said okay, and promised a call back with the results.
A couple of hours later, she called and said the underwriter was now satisfied, but my original rate quote would be higher because they had to show it as having 90HP instead of 50! This time I didn't laugh. I questioned where the hell they found this idiot who was calling all the shots. I reminded her that she had all the info on the engine in my boat, and she could once again contact Whaler to verify the horsepower rating. I was as polite as I could possibly be under the circumstances, but I told her I'd be damned if I would pay even $5 more a year for something I didn't have! One hour later everything was resolved.
I have to wonder what I'll get into if this storm messes up FREEBIRD. Hopefully she'll either be spared altogether, or be a total loss. I'm afraid anything in between would be a nightmare. I can hear this underwriter now.
"Dear Mr Register,
We received your claim RE: your 58 foot Hatteras houseboat. It has come to our attention your houseboat has been modified from its original design.
The bulkhead separating the original pilothouse from the covered outdoor area has been removed. A large wet-bar with icemaker and undercounter refrigerator was put in its place. Wing doors were added and the open area was enclosed and air conditioned. Sliding glass doors were installed to finish the enclosure aft. Furniture was then added to this area, and the original fiberglass shell overhead as well as the port and starboard walls were covered with an aftermarket material not obtained from the manufacturer of the vessel.
It is my opinion that these changes lead to the ultimate failure resulting in damage to your houseboat during the hurricaine. We therefore refuse to accept liability for your claim.
Yours truly,
Ben Dover
Claims Specialist
