Underwriter wants invoices -Port Risk

[hpeer]

I'm a bit grumpy about this today. Called insurer to tell them we would be taking a trip and needed to change navigation area.

They come back and tell me that for the last year I have been on Port Risk - No Navigation. WTF?

The story is I had a survey, they found some stuff they wanted attended to, I did the work, they asked for an affirmation which I supplied. THEN, apparently, the underwriter asked for INVOICES for all the work. This was never communicated to me. So I'm sitting here fat, dumb, and happy thinking all is well.

Now, to boot, some of the stuff was down right silly. For example they are requiring my stove be gimbqlled. OK, I was gonna do that anyway. But as a requirement for insurance?

The surveyor was not exactly on the A list and had some distinctly "interesting" opinions. He didn't write me up for it (wink, wink) but he disapproves big time of 6volt batteries on a steel boat. Apparently a real no-no.

No advice needed, I'll figure out how to deal with this, or not. Just needed to spout off a bit about the joys of the system.

Fair winds to all.

[cal40john]

I'm befuddled. Why can't you have 6 volt batteries on a steel boat?

[Mike OReilly]

The more of these stories I hear about, the more I'm convinced insurance is a crock. It's like walking into a casino and expecting to win .

[Stumble]

It may cost another survey, but try shopping around to other insurance companies.

[Robin3]

The most we have been asked for is a signed document confirming all the survey 'must do' recommendations have been carried out, not the nit picking stuff but the must do stuff.

[ErikFinn]

Not the first time I hear a similar story. And happened to me also.
They take your money but fail to let you know you are not covered.
Insurance companies are the biggest scammers on this planet Can you please confirm the company name you were dealing with? So we can all avoid them. Thank you.

[JPA Cate]

hpeer, probably the simplest fix is to scan the invoices and e-mail them to the ins. co. On occasion, we've photocopied them and mailed them, too, return receipt requested, so you know they were delivered.

Ann

[Tkeeth]

Yeah well, did this to me, after I fixed it. No invoice and all stupid things. I had a receipt for the spare anchor rode they made me buy...

[jeepbluetj]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

hpeer, probably the simplest fix is to scan the invoices and e-mail them to the ins. co. On occasion, we've photocopied them and mailed them, too, return receipt requested, so you know they were delivered.

Ann

Indeed, unless it's the case where hpeer did all the work. (Which I'm guessing, based on prior posts). Then hpeer wouldn't have any invoices - for gimballing a stove or whatnot. Then it may be a bit of getting yet another surveyor out to attest to the repairs.

Insurance is such a racket. I still cannot get my ins co to send a year long proof of ins to my marina. Always 1 month at a time.

IIRC from another thread, hpeer is looking to get a passage started right away (like now) - insurance problems may delay that quite a bit.

And for you naysayers: you know 6v batteries won't work in steel boats. There's not enough voltage to overcome the strong magnetic force from the hull....

[denverd0n]

So, give with the details. Who is this idiotic insurer?

[fryewe]

Originally Posted by jeepbluetj

Indeed, unless it's the case where hpeer did all the work. (Which I'm guessing, based on prior posts). Then hpeer wouldn't have any invoices - for gimballing a stove or whatnot. Then it may be a bit of getting yet another surveyor out to attest to the repairs.

Send a video of the stove gimbal in action?

Last time an insurance inspector came to my boat prior to insurance being issued, the inspector related to me that she had never inspected a sailboat. Her checklist was very basic, but she was unable to complete it without my explanation of terms and description of operation of equipment and condition.

The most recent underwriting of a new-to-me boat involved an "inspection by phone call"...with me answering a lengthy series of questions over the phone with an insurance company rep. No one came out to look. No pictures were sent. No survey was done. One of the largest, if not the largest, insurance company in the US.

In the OP's case, perhaps the company doesn't want his business. Change to a new company.

[Doug Brown]

What the companies that I surveyed for usually required was a signed note returned by mail. Photos and invoices were helpful too. Sometimes I had to go back and inspect the work done - that was the underwriter's call.

The insured usually got 30 to 90 days to finish the work AND submit his signed note. Check and find out what the time period is.

The reason things are done by mail or by telephone is that if you lie, you have committed mail fraud and the insurer does not - by law - have to pay you dime one.

So don't lie.....

[CREX]

Insurance is a great concept but without morality it's just a scam to all. Lots of money goes in fast, little money comes out slow, if at all.

[hpeer]

Thanks for all the comments. I don't want to say too much and burn bridges at the moment. I suspect some of what is going on is inexperienced people cycling through the industry.

It's a very well respected broker and I'm sure I'll resolve it somehow. Not the first insurance issue I've had. Sometimes the broker is a knucklehead, sometimes I think they get burned out dealing with insurers and boat owners. I know I've had a Canadian company refuse to renew simply because I was in the USA. Point blank, we won't go there.

[bsurvey]

get another surveyor preferably NAMS certified to review the list and issue a report you don't need invoices


nothing wrong with 6 VDC batteries on a steel hull that's BS