Help with boat/motor repair question

Got up this morning to head to Lake Wisconsin to see what my son and I could convince to bite. Stopped at the local Kwik Trip to gas up the truck and then the day went south. A woman in a high backed SUV comes out of the store jumps in the SUV throws it in reverse and slams in to my 75 Merc 4 stroke. She hit it on the side of the motor, did in my new prop, snapped the transom saver in half, pushe the boat about 8″ sideways on the trailer so it crawled up the fender forcing it down toward the tire, bent the guide on, on the end of the trailer, straightened one of hte tie down hooks on side she hooked, that bent the steel piece you hook tie down to on the trailer. Looks to me like the motor sits with a twist in its mount.

So now to my questions. I am very concerned about the potential damage to the transom and the side of the boat that was pushed up against the tire fenders. The hydraulics on the tilt and trim spit some fluid, the steering was forced hard over.

I am going to have it looked at next week what I am looking for is what advise you all have for things to watch out for. I am sure her insurance will try to nickel and dime me to death but I want this fixed correctly so a couple years from now I won’t be paying for problems I created.

I’m thinking the transom took a beating too.

Thanks,

Chris

Take it to your dealer and have a complete detailed estimate. Sounds like you will have quite a high repair bill.

And to add to what has already been mentioned, have the trailer checked out thoroughly as well. I had a similar problem years ago and after everything was settled the cross bars on the trailer snapped while going down the road. It was determined it was caused by the accident, but didn’t show until too late.

Agree have everyhing checked and checked again… motor, boat, trailer, where the hitch is mounted to your tow vehicle, and even the vehicle itself (trans etc).

Shawn

use the phrase “like new” a lot.

Talked to the local dealer yesterday turns out the guy they think would be best to look the rig over is on vacation until Thursday. I imagine I will be hearing from the adjuster from the company of the woman who hit me before then.

Looking at the damage I think it can all be fixed the thing is what about the stuff I can’t see immediately. Going to go out and look in the rod lockers after the game today. I sure hope there is no damage there.

Total it. Suppose everything gets fixed “correctly” can you really trust it? Push hard for a new one.

lee

I agree with the last poster. Your rig was in like new condition, I’d demand one that is the same. I doubt any repair job can fix a smacked from the side motor to like new condition. You’re too tall for that little boat anyway.

I feel for ya. I had a guy run into the back of my boat a few years back. Ended up with a new trailer and lower end. After everything was replaced it was late in the year and never got it back out. BIG MISTAKE!! The next Spring I find out the boat is bent like a banana and likes to turn in circles. My whole rig should have been totaled. I can not stress enough to have it completely gone through and if anything is questionable then have it replaced. Do not give in! Check out the hitch as well.

This is making me sick and of course Framer’s insurance is already giving me the run around. They are the insurer for the woman who hit me.

I work for a local insurance company and in talking with them they are saying things like if the repairs don’t come to 70-80% of blue book then I won’t have a leg to stand on to get them to total it.

I guess we will see. Clearly my desires don’t factor into anything about what Farmer’s is doing. They are taking their sweet time about even getting back to me.

Chris,

Insurance companies are evil. Make sure you have your attorney respond to their initial offer. They low ball you until they realize they have a fight on their hands then they will move to settle.

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Chris,

Insurance companies are evil. Make sure you have your attorney respond to their initial offer. They low ball you until they realize they have a fight on their hands then they will move to settle.

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That right there is a perfect example of why this country is so in debt. Where did the mentality come from that if you don’t get what you want, you just get a lawyer and sue somebody?

Get the boat looked at by an independent repair facility and get a quote for the repairs. If Farmers doesn’t want to pay for that, then you have reason to talk to a lawyer. If you want the boat totaled, and the estimates don’t support that, then you shouldn’t have a leg to stand on. If it is repairable for less than 80% of the total value, it isn’t totaled. Yes, it sucks that some moron ran over your boat, but the only responsibility of the insurance company is to put it back to what it was. You are correct that your desires do not factor in, nor should it. How many people would want their property totaled because it had some fixable damage?

Get it fixed, and then get rid of it.

I disagree with Mendota. We are debt to to tax policy and fighting wars on credit. The insurance company surely has a lawyer reviewing what they will pay. If you don’t have one, you are going to a gunfight without one.

I disagree with you kev, the insurance company will not have a lawyer bother to look at this, it is too small of a claim. This is a pretty simple case, I wouldn’t spend any money on a lawyer until absolutley needed. I would get the boat fixed and have my insurance company pay for it and they can deal with the other insurance company.

So here is the deal so far. Farmers was slow about everything until the auto adjuster came to look at the suburban’s hitch. I mentioned a couple things to him, first that I work for a local insurance company, second that I was going to being putting the claim in to my company and let the companies work it out.

All the sudden the phone started ringing. Then their is the latest trick, they are using a boat adjuster in Indiana. The guy hasn’t looked at the police report, hasn’t seen any pictures hasn’t done squat but says I need to take it to a dealer.

I had 3 days planned for my first trip up to pool 4 with my Dad and son in early october. So much for that….. I would be on the water at least one day this weekend. So I know I am already out 5 days of fishing. So I want to start talking about loss of use. I don’t care if they can get me a rental similar to what I have to use but not having a functional boat sucks big time and that should have a cost.

They are talking about sending the my boat back to the factory to get it fixed… I’m ready to say BS on that if it has to go back they might as well total it.

I’m starting to think what Kev says about a lawyer might be a good idea. I know things can go wrong with a new boat too but what is going to protect me from having the transom crack when I’m in the middle of Winnebago our Devils Lake or even the lakes here at home.

This whole deal sucks big time.

A couple folks have PMed asking what has gone on with my boat after the accident. Its been a pain in the butt however in the last few days I have made some progress and things have begun moving. In theory the boat will be totaled and Farmers insurance will be sending me a check.

I guess it is about as good an outcome as I could expect.

Thanks for all the advice.

If they do in fact give ou the check be sure to strip all your electronics and trolling motor off. Their payout will be based on boat, motor, trailer only. Take your oar, anchor, ropes, life jackets…………ect.

Brian,

Thanks for the heads up. My insurance company’s adjuster who has helped me work with the Farmer’s adjuster already reminded me of that.

Chris

It sucks to lose a rig before its time but have you seen the new Tuffys? There are also a lot of very good used boats for sale right now. Hard to find a boat suitable for someone that is 8 feet tall.

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If they do in fact give ou the check be sure to strip all your electronics and trolling motor off. Their payout will be based on boat, motor, trailer only. Take your oar, anchor, ropes, life jackets…………ect.

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My insurance covered everything that was attached. T-motor, electronics, kicker, ect. When I totaled the boat, the insurance company wanted all of that stuff left on. I had to return all of the stuff I took off.

Remember, the insurance company will auction off the totaled rig. They want to get as much back as possible. You should also ask if you can bid on your totaled rig. Usually blind sealed bids are taken for a period of time. You may be able to buy your boat back for pennies on the dollar.

-J.

John,

They want to pay me for the rig I bought as a package. I have already confirmed with the adjuster that I can take off my upgraded locator, rod holders and the upgraded trolling motor and put the original locator and motor back and they are crediting me for extra seat and cover that go with it.

I hear you on the bid for getting it back but frankly I don’t want the hassle of fixing it up and trying to sell it and on top of it all I don’t want to hang someone else with a rig that may be trouble for them down the road even if I can get it for pennies on the dollar. I sure wouldn’t want to buy my rig knowing what it has been through.

If someone else feels different PM me and I will point you at the insurance adjuster so you can talk.

What is the status? Shopping for a new boat?

Done shopping. Picked up the replacement boat in Faribault MN at Lacannes on Friday. Spent the better part of Saturday and Sunday on Pool 9 trying it out. Saturday was a bust, Sunday was much better. I have a long way to go when it comes to knowing how to find eyes on the river but we caught about 60 on Sunday between the 5 folks in my boat. Ended up keeping 7 for a meal for my sister’s family. Nothing huge.

Like the new boat, pretty good experience with Lacannes. I wish I hadn’t lost a month of fishing dinking around with the other person’s insurance but that is over with time to move on.