Experience Does Mean The Difference
With a long history and experience in dealing with marine insurance companies, adjusters and surveyors in San Diego, The Boat Grotto can use digital photography technology to document damage and report step by step repairs to your insurance company. In addition, your boat or yacht will be restored to industry standards using high quality OEM parts when and wherever available and as required to do so.
Insurance Tips and Glossary
Insurance company terms and "lingo" can be a "boatful". The Boat Grotto has provided some easy reference so you may understand some basic terms that may be a part of your insurance policy and the repair and claims process. You should always consult your insurance agent or company if you have any questions.
Actual Cash Value – in the event of a total loss, the market value, determined by age and condition of the boat at the time of the loss. Boating industry reference materials (NADA Book, BUC Used Boat Guide, ABOS Marine Blue Book) are often used to determine market val policies.
Agreed Value - determined and agreed upon by both owner and insurance underwriter at the time the policy is purchased.
AM Best Rating - rating assigned by the insurance institute, usually a result of factors including the company’s solvency, customer service and claims handling.
Bind – to start coverage by accepting the quotation offered and meeting the special conditions and agreeing on a date to start coverage.
Binder – immediate, temporary coverage or proof of insurance until a policy can be issued. Usually good for a 30 day term.
Carrier – the insurance company underwriting the policy.
Catastrophe – disaster in a specific geographic area such as hurricane’s, floods, marina fires, etc.
Catastrophe (CAT) Team – Teams of claims adjusters, underwriters, surveyors, salvors, truckers, repairers and other specialists sent to a specific geographic area to provide on-site assistance. Dispatched in situations where a large number of policyholders have incurred losses.
Catastrophic Loss – when the loss incurred exceeds the insured value of the boat
Claims Adjustor – party responsible for investigating and settling a claim
Constructive Total Loss - the cost of a boats recovery and repair exceed the insured value.
Co-Owner – a family member or partner whose name appears on the title of the boat.
Corporate Ownership – the boat is titled in the name of a corporation. Not to be confused with the bank, lien holder or builder of the boat.
Cruising Area – the geographic area or waterway where the boat is used as defined on the policy. If the boat is taken outside this cruising area, a cruising area extension is required to continue coverage.
Cruising Area Extension – required when boat is taken outside the cruising area defined on the
Damage Avoidance – loss prevention, preparation that prevents or minimizes a loss. Some insurance companies offer educational classes in this.
Deductible – the portion of a claim to be paid out of pocket. The higher the deductible, the lower your insurance premium will be.
Depreciation – measured decrease in value of the boat, parts and equipment due to age and condition.
Hull ID – series of letters and numbers uniquely identifying an individual boat.
Insurance Fraud – willingly falsifying information used in the decision to underwrite an insurance policy (i.e. years of experience) or misrepresenting the facts of claim for the purposes of obtaining a settlement that would not otherwise be made.
Judgment – legal decision determining fault or liability.
Liability - Who’s legally at fault. Liability insurance provides coverage for property damage or personal injury.
Lien holder - a person or organization providing the loan for an interest in the boat. A lien holder will also appear on the title to the boat until it is owned outright.
Loss – physical damage or injury to person or property
Loss Payee – the person and or institution paid in a claim settlement, appearing on the boat’s title.
Named Insured – the person or person(s) whose name appears on the insurance policy.
Named Storm – tropical storm or hurricane as designated by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.
NOAA – acronym for the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.
P & I (Protection & Indemnity) - coverage for third-party property damage, bodily injury, or death caused by you or your boat for which you’re found legally liable.
Partial Loss – any claim incurred that has not resulted in the total loss of the boat.
Premium – the price to obtain insurance as determined by the underwriter.
Proof of Insurance – documentation showing the boat insurance policy is in effect.
Quote – verbal or written estimate of the cost to insure the boat as determined by the Underwriter.
Risk – factor(s) that determine the possibility of a loss which assist the underwriter in determining the cost to insure your boat. May include the operators experience, the type of boat or the location of the boat.
Salvage – successful rescue of insured boat from a perilous or dangerous situation
Sound and Seaworthy Statement – written confirmation by owner that the boat is in safe and proper condition for its intended use.
Surveyor – accredited marine specialist who ascertains the condition or value of the boat, or if in the event of a loss, damage to the boat.
Total Loss – the boat is completely lost…stolen and not recovered, sunk and not found or salvaged.
Underwriter - person or company assuming risk or responsibility for insuring your boat
Wreck Removal – remove and dispose of the remains of an insured boat when legally required.
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