Jump to content

Boat accident & insurance


Don_

Recommended Posts

I've recently had someone drive up the back of my boat when it was getting towed home after a days fishing. The other party has admitted fault and there is no issue with that. However my insurance are making my life a living hell to get everything sorted!! The boat, motor and trailer are all insured for $7,500, and the quote for the damage is approx. $5,000, but the repairer added a note saying its probably beyond economical repair however they can replace it with a 2005 model 30 hp for $1950. The repairer also added that my motor is a 2004 model, however my rego papers state its a 2007 (which is what i assumed it was when i bought it), and when i got it serviced not long ago the mechanic checked the serial number with me and also confirmed it to be a 2007 model.

My issue now is, I'm not happy to get a replacement second hand motor. I spent a year looking for a second hand package that was in good condition, travelling all over Sydney every weekend trying to find something decent. I couldnt have been happier with my purchase! And now i'm worried im going to get stuck with something thats not equivalent to what i originally had. My original motor was electric start aswel, and after speaking to the insurance yesterday the bloke i spoke to said thats not a factor when deciding on a replacement.

Can anyone advise me on my options and where i stand with this situation? Also, is there anywhere i can confirm the year of my motor (by reference to the serial number i assume)?

Thanks in advance for everyones help!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Go to this place: www.fos.org.au

The general steps are:

  1. raise your concerns to your insurance, complaints department etc
  2. if after a couple of weeks nothing happens, the ombudsman will step in for you

I've had a number of things that the ombudsman has rectified for me, they are really good and i highly recommend that path if you want results.

cheers and good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for that mate. When i spoke to them the first time after there was an issue, as soon as i mentioned the ombudsman they went on the defensive. I'm not going to jump to any conclusions just yet, ill wait to see if they give me any other options i guess.

Does anyone know anywhere i can confirm the year model of my motor with my serial number? I just want to see if what the repairer is saying is correct, or if they are doing the dodgy by saying its a 2004 model just to get the job.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Huey might be able to look that up for you.

I have a question... if somebody ran up your rear (just like in this situation), would you require insurnace for your boat? Since it was the other vehicles fault, wouldn't their insurance pay for it? So what I'm getting at is, do you need insurance in this example? I'm asking as I don't have insurance on my boat.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As soon as it happened i contacted my insurance and they told me they will deal with everything and then be reimbursed by the other parties insurance for all costs. I have no idea why they are making it so difficult because in the end its no money out of their pocket. When i was in the market for insurance, everyone told me this particular insurer (Club Marine) was the way to go for boat insurance, but after having to deal with them ill be changing as soon as i can!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HI, different brands of outboard rely on either model or serial numebrs so without even knowing what brand of outboard you have hard to say what the year model is. Best to post the serial and model number and let us know what engine got damaged.

Cheers,

Huey.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Huey,

The serial number as shown on the motor is ONO 46299 . The last mechanic to look at it confirmed it was an 07 Mercury 30hp, but i'm being told otherwise from the repairer (who could be correct).

Thanks mate.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi, that serial number of 0N046299 does not come up in the Merc listings so is it right and if it was a 2007 model it would say that on the compliance plate as well as thhe serial number. If that number is correct it is an earlier serial number that would be closer to a 2004 model than a 2007 model.

Post a picture of the compliance plate but at the end of the day that carby 30HP LW Merc is no where near worth spending $5K to fix andd if it is just a manual tiller engine you can buy brand new outboards for $2,600 or even forward steer electric start brand new 40HP outboards for $3,600.

Cheers,

Huey.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

as huey said i checked that # and nothing comes up at all for it ,can you check # and if you supply model # as well i think i can find what year model it is,the #s should be on the starbord side of the motor on the fork just below cowling. cheers dunc333

Edited by dunc333
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Aussie007

are u sure your giving us the correct serial number? merc 30hp serial numbers range from 0N001875 TO 0N055504 but as huey and dunc said the number u gave us isnt coming up

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Maybe you could approach the insurance company and ask for $1950 outboard repair cost be put toward a new outboard and you pay the dif . Least you will have peace of mind and a fair outcome for all involved. As for the serial and model you could try emailing the manufacturer , as ive done that in the past.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...