Knowing which insurance to use
Losses on boats when they are entrusted to a boating professional, especially during the winter season, are unfortunately common. In this case, it is important to know which insurance to use to cover the costs. This allows to keep a good relationship with the customer and to fluidify the procedure. April Marine is there for both professionals and boaters, and explains these procedures to us, highlighting the points to keep in mind.
Damage during the maintenance of the boat
In the first case, the loss occurs during the maintenance and intervention phase of the professional. "In this case, it is the professional's civil liability insurance that covers the boat. The most common cases are a boat that falls into maintenance, a partial theft while the boat is in
maintenance or a handling error that damages the neighboring boat, for example," explains Lionel Boismery, General Manager of April Marine.
The first thing to do, whether you are a professional or an individual, is to contact your insurer. For the private individual, his insurance will intervene under the guarantees subscribed for the damage to the boat and will itself take recourse against the professional's insurance. "For the professional, it is still necessary to make sure that it is appropriate to declare it in view of the deductibles and the increase in premium that will result from the loss. It is also important to have declared in your contract all your maintenance and storage activities. If you started out as a salesman only, you should have added your maintenance activity afterwards, for example", the insurer reminds us.
During storage, the boat's insurance covers
The second most common case is that of a loss during the winter, on a rented storage site on land. The professional's insurance is not directly impacted. "The principle is the same as for a car on a parking lot. It is the boat's insurance that covers. There are only a few cases of recourse, such as a storage rack that collapses or a shed that collapses due to an anomaly," explains Lionel Boismery.
To defend oneself against the client in case of need, April Marine underlines the importance of the legal protection service. Securing the company to avoid theft is also important for the professional. In fact, depending on the contract concluded with the client, his liability may be sought if the boat's insurer proves that he has not implemented all the means to avoid theft (adapted fencing, cameras, guards, alarms, etc.).
To anticipate these situations, the insurer encourages professionals to draw up contracts (parking on land, wintering, sales depot, works,...) with their clients, to insure themselves for all of their activities, to use appropriate equipment that complies with standards and to avoid, for example, homemade storage bins. "The minimum measures for securing the storage area must be taken in accordance with the contract. A boat on a trailer is only covered in an enclosed and secure area. In general, prepare the documents to prevent the surveyor from going to the wrong place," he adds.
The insurer also encourages professionals to advise their clients to take out comprehensive insurance. This has advantages, as the professional's liability is not systematic, particularly in the following cases
- Partial or total theft
- Fire: It is necessary to determine the origin of the fire, which is complex, then to prove a fault to seek responsibility
- Storm: it exonerates the professional from his responsibility if there is force majeure (unforeseeable, irresistible and insurmountable event)
Conflict between boaters
In one final case, the damage may involve only boaters, in the event of a "neighborly dispute. "On a dry harbor, if for example, the boat above damages the one below with oil leaking on the awning or the cushions of the boat stored below, the civil liability insurances of both owners come into play" concludes the director of April Marine.
The professional will not always have to call upon his insurance. However, a good knowledge of the operation will allow him to advise his clients and facilitate the procedures.
