Do you live in Naples or have a boat moored in its beautiful harbor? Has your boat recently suffered damage from a natural disaster like Hurricane Ian or a boating accident? If so, you might encounter problems dealing with the insurance company. When that happens, a Naples property claim lawyer can fight for your interests.
The high winds and storm surge from hurricanes often cause catastrophic damage to a boat, as can a boat colliding into your ship at any speed. In either case, getting what you deserve in a boat damage claim can become challenging. Regardless of what damaged your boat in Naples, you deserve to have your claim handled quickly and efficiently. The Law Offices of Anidjar and Levine wants to help.
Why Are Naples Boat Damage Claims So Complicated?
Several elements make boat damage claims difficult for boat owners to pursue. For example, determining liability in a boat accident is critically important. However, there aren’t always witnesses to boat accidents aside from the pilots of the vessels involved. Thus, investigating the circumstances leading to the accident can be demanding.
Secondly, most modern boats are expensive to buy, and so is repairing or replacing them. So, whatever insurance company must pay the claim will cut a hefty check— something it would prefer not to do. Issues of valuation or repair cost vs. replacement costs can become substantial sticking points.
Unfortunately, many boat insurance companies tend to play hardball in this situation. They may employ a combination of “deny and delay” tactics hoping that you’ll accept a smaller payout than you deserve. That’s why many Naples boat owners turn to a boat accident attorney to fight on their behalf.
What Can a Naples Boat Damage Lawyer Do for You?
Even in cases where a boat insurance company accepts liability after an accident or pays out a claim after a hurricane, the process can be adversarial. That’s because insurance companies make money by paying as little as possible on claims. So, even if a claims adjuster seems friendly or collegial in dealing with you, their main objective is to protect their employer’s interests, not yours.
By contrast, a Naples personal injury lawyer’s job is to protect your interests. Part of what our firm can do for you in a boat damage case includes the following:
- Investigating the accident to establish liability
- Compile evidence and documents that bolster your claim
- Representing you in negotiations with the boat insurance company paying the claim
- Assisting you in challenging a claim denial
- Representing you in court when negotiations don’t bear fruit
Perhaps most importantly, providing a high level of client service is a core value for the team at the Law Offices of Anidjar and Levine. Your boat is a valuable part of your life. Therefore, your case is valuable to us. We’ll keep you updated on the status of your case, make sure you understand the process, and fight as hard as we can to get you the settlement or claim amount you deserve.
Does Boat Insurance Cover Hurricane Damage?
There is an almost endless variety of insurance policies and options available in those policies. For example, some policies automatically cover hurricanes. However, others don’t, meaning you must purchase a special endorsement or rider in the policy to include hurricane damage. Complicating matters further, many standard hurricane policies for boats function the same way they do for houses.
For example, the policy might cover wind damage, but water damage—such as what you might experience during a storm surge—may be excluded unless you add a specific endorsement to cover it. Even then, the policy may only cover critical components of your vessel, like the hull, motor, mast, and sail.
Other valuables like TV monitors, radars, and GPS units may require an additional endorsement. That’s why you might want a Naples boat damage lawyer to review your policy before you purchase it. This review can help you avoid a nasty surprise after an accident or storm.
How Much Is Your Naples Boat Damage Claim Worth?
A Naples boat damage claim’s value can turn on several factors. Obviously, your boat’s value, compared to the cost of repairing the damage, will be a primary factor in determining your claim’s worth. However, other variables include:
- What damage does your policy cover (e.g., the boat itself or items on the ship)?
- Was anyone hurt in the boat accident?
- How much will it cost to move the vessel to a repair facility (if the damage occurred in open water or the boat washed ashore during a storm)?
The Naples boat damage attorneys from our office will always work to get you the maximum amount under your boat claim. We know how much your boat means to you, and we want to help you get what you need to replace or repair it to its pre-accident or storm-damaged standard.
To determine an accurate value for your claim, we need all the information about your boat, your insurance policy, and the circumstances regarding how the damage occurred.
How Much does It Cost to Hire a Naples Boat Damage Lawyer?
Regardless of whether a hurricane or accident damaged your boat, it has financial implications. The longer your boat goes without repairs, the more likely that the damage will worsen. Throw in any medical bills or lost income resulting from boat accident injuries, and it can feel like you’re getting hit from all sides at the same time.
That’s why the Naples boat damage attorneys at the Law Offices of Anidjar and Levine handle your case on a contingency-fee basis. If our team can’t procure a settlement or win your case in court, you owe us nothing. So, you have nothing to lose. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation regarding the value of your claim.
We Can Help.
