DO NOT INSURE YOUR BOAT WITH PROGRESSIVE

So the small claims hearing was this morning. Actually had a real judge, not a pro tem (lawyer sitting as a judge). I had three witnesses--the yard manager, iron works shop manager, and my surveyor. Only the adjuster showed up on the phone for Progressive. Lasted about 30 minutes when we finally got heard. Judge took the matter under submission and will issue a ruling within the week. I will let everyone know what happens, win or lose.
 
I prevailed (judgment below). Court awarded everything I was seeking. The adjuster appeared by phone. Progressive had shipped their evidence ahead, but it never arrived at the Court. I had brought copies of what they had provided (their expert report, some articles on metallurgy and a few pictures) and provided them to the judge as a courtesy. In short, no prep whatsoever to actually show up in Court and fight the claim.

I put together an exhibit book for the judge with exhibits A-F. The policy, screen shots of my track that day on AIS, pictures of the damage, my expert's report, his CV, and the invoices for repairs.

The service manager testified for about 5 minutes. The ironworks foreman testified about the same. Expert testified for about 5 minutes. The adjuster asked the expert one question.

Judge took the case under submission and entered judgment a couple of hours later.

Progressive has the right to appeal, but that means they'll have to hire counsel etc. Hardly worth it on a 10k claim, but we'll see. Assuming they don't and Progressive just pays it, this is a lesson that insureds should fight back against the insurance company when appropriate. They said no, hired an expert out of Michigan to prepare a canned report, and didn't do anything to prepare their case for hearing. Progressive is still ahead. I suspect they say no on a huge percentage of claims and I suspect only a very small percentage actually fight the decision.

I'm a lawyer, but anyone could have put together a basic case on this. I'm still out a ton due to the deductible, fees paid to the surveyor, my time, etc. But on this one it was somewhat the principle of the matter.

Cheers


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Nice. That's what happens when they don't prepare and try to do it on the cheap.
 
Is this correct?
You were running and heard a bang,the shaft was broken at the coupler and the prop blades were bent, and possibly the rudder post?
If the prop blades were bent aft you had a strike, if the blades were bent forward you had gross mis-alignment beak the shaft and the rudder bent the blades

Had the same thing here on a twin.caused by bent struts when the new shafts arrived they would not enter the shaft logs because of the bent struts. Shaft broken,props bent forward, and with the new shafts discovered both struts were bent/twisted in a outward fashion
 
Last edited:
Bt Doctur said:
Is this correct?
You were running and heard a bang,the shaft was broken at the coupler and the prop blades were bent, and possibly the rudder post?
If the prop blades were bent aft you had a strike, if the blades were bent forward you had gross mis-alignment beak the shaft and the rudder bent the blades

Had the same thing here on a twin.caused by bent struts when the new shafts arrived they would not enter the shaft logs because of the bent struts. Shaft broken,props bent forward, and with the new shafts discovered both struts were bent/twisted in a outward fashion
Click to expand...

When everything was apart, they checked the alignment of the strut, stern tube and transmission. It was perfect.
 
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