We got hit by lightening!

[Parker1961]

OK...by WE I meant our boat, a 42' Nautique Sportfish loaded with electronics. Wednesday, July 1 a big storm rolled thru Lottsburg and a bolt of lightening hit our 30' high aluminum and SS Port Outrigger, it arched to the powercord laying nearby, splitting it wide open and burning the fiberglass surface underneath it. BUT....the damage seems to have been to most (or all) of the electronics on the flybridge (2 VHF radios, Radar, Autopilot, Windlass, 2 GPS and Plotter, Fishfinder, depth sounder and CD Player).

My dilema now is the Insurance Co. wants a preliminary survey and estimate of the damage for the claim. I have a mechanic, but would really like to contact a competant electronics guy to go thru the systems closely and write up a damage report for Insurance AND do the necessary repairs, etc that will follow. Anyone out there in the "braintrust" have good suggestions or contacts that are somewhat local to Northumberland Co that can help me??

[Fishboy OV8]

I thought Insurance companies have trained specialists for just that reason, can't believe that they are leaving it up to you to get estimeates........ isn't that why you pay premiums ?? good luck.

Local.com | Marine Electronics - Deltaville, VA (http://www.local.com/details/Deltaville-VA/Marine-Electronics-10337687.aspx)

Local.com | Marine Electronics of Hartfield - Hartfield, VA (http://www.local.com/details/Hartfield-VA/Marine-Electronics-of-Hartfield-78558470.aspx)

Local.com | Marine Installation Inc - Kilmarnock, VA (http://www.local.com/details/Kilmarnock-VA/Marine-Installation-Inc-71716584.aspx)

[tom baise]

Simply put speaking from experience, you need an estimate for a complete replacement of not only the electronics but also for complete new feed wiring from your power source back to your electronics. Also, look at your power buss bars which are probably cooked. Anything electrical on that boat I would get an estimate to have all of the wiring replaced. Its sucks when you find out later down the road that you missed a wire that was burnt and leaves you high and hopefully dry miles off shore,

[Parker1961]

I agreed Fishboy... I was abit surprised by the Claims Agent request to have my "Service People" contact them with an Estimate.

[timber]

call Kevin at marine electronics of hartfield, he is a great guy. No rip offs there!!! Tell him Chris with the maycraft said Hi
Marine Electronics Hartfield, Hartfield VA 23071 (http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Marine.Electronics.Hartfield.804-776-9802)

[WHACKMASTER]

Be very careful My 36 Luhrs was hit 3 years ago, and things still arent right. I would try to get the boat totaled, and if not insist all wirning and electronics be replaced starting at the panel box.

Jeff

[rivahboy]

I was upset when I lost my sonar this weekend, now I dont feel so bad. Just wanted to second the motion on Kevin at Marine electronics of Hartfield. Great guy and myself and all friends have had great luck with him.

[Fishin Musician]

Jeff's right. Lightning hasn't hit my boat, but it did hit my house a couple years ago, and I'm STILL having problems with certain electronics. Your best bet is to completely replace EVERYTHING that's electronic.

[Fishboy OV8]

I agreed Fishboy... I was abit surprised by the Claims Agent request to have my "Service People" contact them with an Estimate.


What insurance company is it ??

I want to look into my coverage in case the same thing happens....... I'd be rather furious if I had to find my "own" adjusters.

[23Sport]

I agree with the others, contact Kevin at Marine Electronics of Hartfield and have them go through the entire electric system to be sure you get everything. Kevin will do you right and give you good service if you need service at a later date.

[Coan Ranger]

Kevin is the man. He installed and services my electronics. I trust him.

[BroadCasting]

[QUOTE=fishboy01;1401896]I thought Insurance companies have trained specialists for just that reason, can't believe that they are leaving it up to you to get estimeates........ isn't that why you pay premiums ?? good luck.


No.....this is a good thing. Insurance companies "trained specialists" are often "not" very special. It is a very good thing that they are allowing the policy holder to get his own estimates and repair people. This way he can get someone reputable like Marine Electronics in Hartfield instead of Otis the TV repairman who got a corrospondence class certificate through the mail and is a part time adjuster for the insurance company on a consultant basis. The policyholder can get someone of his own choosing.

In any case, the policy holder can always get who ever he wants to fix his boat but would have to pay the difference in costs if the repair shop he wants exceeds all other other estimates. Sometimes you can talk the insurance company into paying the difference.......by telling them something along the line of...... "there are only 2 shops in the area and the one with the low estimate totally sucks so how about paying a few dollars more and we get this repair done right. We don't want to risk the boat catching on fire because some low-estimate-jack-leg worked on it."

The policyholder getting their own estimates is very common in the insurance business. Most of the time they want more than one estimate but not always. Insurance companies often have a list of "approved shops" for a certain area where you don't have to bother getting an estimate. I would rather be able to get my own estimates and choose my own repair shop.

If it is a high dollar claim then the insurance company would send out a real adjuster.

[clarkaa777]

I am an agent and believe me you are better off getting your own estimates. It is in the interest of the marine repair guy to find all your problems because he is getting paid to fix them vs the adjuster trying to just settle the claim and move on to the next. Depending on the company they may not even have trained boat claims adjusters which means they would sub it out to an independant adjuster who had no power to work with you or settle your claim. When in doubt get your agent involved. Us good agents do alot more than sell insurance.

Andy

[BroadCasting]

I am an agent and believe me you are better off getting your own estimates. It is in the interest of the marine repair guy to find all your problems because he is getting paid to fix them vs the adjuster trying to just settle the claim and move on to the next. Depending on the company they may not even have trained boat claims adjusters which means they would sub it out to an independant adjuster who had no power to work with you or settle your claim. When in doubt get your agent involved. Us good agents do alot more than sell insurance.

Andy

Amen!

:yes:

[fshbreath]

I would look for someone who has experience with dealing lightning damage. Beyond the obvious electrical damage. I Knew of a guy who had his 25 parker totaled due to lightning strike because as the charge moved from the boat into the water it spider webed the glass in the whole bottom of the boat. You may want a bottom survey before you settle with the insurance.
Check out this article from boatus. BoatUS.com - Seaworthy Magazine (http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/swlightning.asp)

[Parker1961]

THanks everyone for the great input. Have spoken to Kevin (and passed along everyones high regards), he sounds like a VERY professional and knowledgeable group there. And as I think about it...I'm glad I get to choose the person to check out my boat.

[cgBosun3]

I'll second the bottom survey. Lightning ALWAYS travels to ground. Follow the path the electricity likely took to find ALL the damage. As a CG Marine Inspector, I have seen glass boats sunk after lightning blew a hole thru the bottom. At the very least, you are looking at complete wiring replacement, all electronics including the engines' ECUs (ever see a boat with surge protectors?) and a haulout to check for additional damage.