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Scratches and gelcoat damage: when is it worth an insurance claim?
Short answer
Scratches and gelcoat damage are usually an insurance claim only when a sudden event caused them, such as a knock coming alongside, a lift at the boatyard or vandalism. Gradual wear is not, and for small marks the deductible decides when a claim is worth it.
Walk any pontoon in the Solent, at Kinsale or in a Dutch jachthaven and you will see them: hairline scratches in the gelcoat, a scuff from the fuel berth, a chip on the bow where the anchor came up too fast. They come from berthing in a crosswind, from the travel hoist strops at the boatyard, from the trailer on a slipway or from the neighbour's boat grinding against the fenders in a swell. Each one looks minor. Yet a proper gelcoat repair with colour matching and polishing over a large panel, especially on a navy or dark grey hull, often costs far more than owners expect.
Whether a policy responds depends on the cause, not on the size of the mark. Hull policies generally pay for sudden and accidental damage from outside: striking a pontoon, a pile or another vessel, an accident during lifting, or malicious damage by strangers. They generally do not pay for wear and tear, the slow build up of dull paint, faded colour and fender rub that comes with ordinary use. When reading a policy wording, look at how it defines an accident, whether collision with fixed or floating objects is listed, and whether partial losses are settled new for old or with deductions for age. Take dated photos straight after the incident and note where and how it happened. With us, collision, lifting accidents and vandalism are covered from Basis Plus; Basis does not cover them.
Before reporting a small scratch, do the sums. Set the boatyard's estimate against your deductible and against any effect a claim may have on your no claims record at renewal. If the repair comes to only a little more than the excess, many owners simply pay it themselves. If another skipper caused the damage, their third party cover should pay and your own policy is not touched at all. So swap names, boat names and insurance details on the pontoon every time, even for a light scrape, and write down any witnesses.
Worth remembering
Sudden
collision, lifting, vandalism: a possible claim
Gradual
wear, fading, fender rub: the owner's cost
A dated photo taken straight away is worth more than any explanation later.
Questions
What owners ask us about this
Will a hull policy pay for scratches in the gelcoat?
Usually when a sudden event caused them, such as hitting the pontoon, damage during lifting or vandalism; with us from Basis Plus. Gradual wear from normal use is a standard exclusion in hull policies.
Is it worth claiming for a small scuff?
Compare the repair estimate with your deductible and with any loss of no claims discount at renewal. If the difference is small, paying the boatyard yourself is often the better choice.
Who pays when the next boat scratches my hull?
If the other owner is liable, their third party cover pays and your own policy stays untouched. Always swap names and insurance details on the spot, even for a light scrape.
Related
Not sure whether you qualify?
Whether it is “Scratches and gelcoat damage: when is it worth an insurance claim?” or another question: send us your residence and the flag your boat flies. You will get a straight answer in one email; including a no, if that is the answer.
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