The Top Ten Costliest Ways Boats Come To Grief

by BoatUS News on 24 Oct 2013 It's a cross between the CSI and Cold Case TV show crime dramas: taking a look back through the thousands of dusty, old settled boat insurance claims files to identify patterns that can teach today's boaters how to avoid becoming a statistic. That's exactly what the BoatUS Marine Insurance publication, Seaworthy, did in the recent feature, 'Top Ten BoatUS Marine Insurance Program Claims,' which appears in the October 2013 issue.

'The last time BoatUS did such a detailed analysis was in 2005, and this kind of information is not available from anyone else in the industry,' said Seaworthy Editor Beth Leonard, 'The time seemed right to revisit our findings and share them with boaters so they can learn from other's mistakes.' Here's the list of the top ten claims in terms of dollar value over the last eight years, along with some tips that could help prevent becoming a statistic, or if you're simply unlucky, lessen the damage:

Back in 2005, Seaworthy took a look at the top 10 claims for the BoatUS Marine Insurance Program. After eight eventful years (think Ike, Irene, Snowmageddon, tornadoes, drought, Sandy ... ), the time seemed right to revisit our findings to see what, if anything, had changed, and what those changes might mean for conscientious boaters. We analyzed five years of claims, from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2012, and ranked loss categories by the total dollar value of claims paid out over that time period. The Top 10 will give you a good sense of where boaters can go wrong, and for each type of loss, we have numerous resources on our website to help you avoid becoming a statistic.

You'll find the countdown starts at No. 10. You'll also see two additional numbers for each loss category. The average payout per claim shows the category ranking in terms of the average dollars paid out per claim over the last five years. The 2005 rank shows where that category stood in the Seaworthy Top 10 eight years ago. A few things have changed in that time. Striking submerged objects has moved down the list; non-hurricane weather damage has moved up. We've broken out injury as a separate category, and that has joined the Top 10, pushing theft of equipment off the list. But the No. 1 cause of losses in terms of total dollar value paid out has not changed — and most Seaworthy readers can guess what that is. In coming issues, Seaworthy will be digging deep into each of the Top 10 to share the causes that lie behind the losses, and what you can do to avoid them.

10. Lightning
While only 1.2 percent of the claims filed by our insureds are for lightning strikes, the average payout for those claims is twice that of flooding or collision. Damage to the electrical system doesn't come as much of a surprise after a lightning strike, but there can also be extensive hull damage due to 'exit wounds.' From Seaworthy's perspective, lightning is the most frustrating thing in the Top 10 — we have no proven advice to offer on how to avoid getting struck. Most often, the only visible signs are scorched areas along wiring runs, around rigging, or in the vicinity of electrical panels. If you think your boat might have been hit, call the BoatUS Claims Department. We'll usually cover a short haul to check for damage.

9. Theft
[Sorry, this content could not be displayed]While boat theft only ranks #16 in terms of number of claims, it's #1 in terms of the average payout per claim. Even if a boat is recovered, there's usually very little left that's worth anything. Ninety percent of stolen boats are taken while on their trailers; high-performance boats in South Florida are most vulnerable. Your best tool for foiling the bad guys is frustration. Thieves are lazy and anything you can do to increase the time or difficulty (work!) it takes to steal your boat will discourage theft. When stowing your trailerable boat for the winter, taking the wheels off the trailer and supporting it well on blocks is one of the best ways to make your boat an unattractive target.

8. Injury

Like theft, injuries tend to be infrequent but expensive. Only one percent of the claims filed by our insureds are for injury alone, but the average pay out per claim comes in at #3. Settlements for injury claims can reach six figures, which is the reason why having personal liability coverage is so important. Many injury claims involve inexperienced guests, so be sure to warn your non-boating friends about wakes, waves, slippery surfaces, and other hazards. And remember that, unlike in a car, passengers who have been drinking on a boat are not strapped into their seats, so they can — and do — get into trouble.

7. Grounding

Grounding ranks consistently at #7 no matter which way you look at it, and that was also true in 2005. While some boats end up total losses from a grounding, others escape almost entirely unscathed. The average payout per claim ends up being halfway between the two. Accurate charts — whether paper, electronic, or on a mobile device — and a depth sounder are your best defense against grounding. But a depth sounder's assistance will be limited to confirming that you are indeed aground unless you know how to use it and how to plot your position on the chart. Once you are aground, waiting for the tide or a tow is less likely to do more damage than trying to power off.

6. Collision

It's the too-close encounters with docks, pilings, and other stationary objects that help keep collisions from climbing higher up the list because these result in a lot less damage than running into another boat. (Note: Technically a collision is between two vessels, while an allision is between a vessel and a fixed object. For this discussion, we'll use 'collision' for both.) Most collisions result from some combination of three factors: inattention, blind spots, and too much speed. Inattention includes leaving the steering to the autopilot. Misunderstandings of the Rules of the Road also play a role. You won't go far wrong if you do whatever is necessary to avoid a collision and make obvious course changes early.

5. Fire/Explosion

While fire and explosion make up only 2.5 percent of all claims in the past five years, the average payout per claim ranks second only to theft. That's because, like theft, fire or explosion all too often results in the total loss of the boat. Faulty wiring causes most fires; most explosions result from fueling issues. Inspect your boat regularly for chafing wires or wires that aren't properly supported and for corrosion of AC shore power inlets and damaged shore power cords. If you ever smell raw gas, something's really wrong. Get everyone off the boat and have it checked immediately. Finally, make sure you have the proper number and type of working fire extinguishers aboard.

4. Striking Submerged Object
[Sorry, this content could not be displayed]Between 2008 and 2012, the number of claims for striking a submerged object increased by almost 30 percent, at least in part due to the prolonged drought across much of the country in 2011 and 2012. Unlike fire/explosion and theft, hitting something below the water rarely results in a total loss. But don't let the claim turn into a sinking. That large clunk from down under could have put a huge strain on struts, stuffing boxes, and other underwater gear. Stop and check the bilge for leaks and, when you get back to the dock, check again — thoroughly. Any water could mean serious damage and a haulout (covered by insurance, but notify BoatUS Marine Insurance first) is in order.

3. Weather/Wind

Non-hurricane wind and weather damage advanced farther up the ranks from 2005 than any other category. That reflects the devastating storms of the last few years with heavy snowfall across much of the country in the winters of 2009/2010 and 2010/2011, the second most active tornado season on record in 2011, and the wind storm called a super derecho that affected a dozen states in June of 2012. Most of the advice on preparing for hurricanes applies to these other storms: minimize windage, tie your boat securely, and guard against chafe. Unfortunately, for many of these storms you'll get considerably less warning than for a hurricane. So our best advice is to keep your boat in a well-protected place.

2. Sinking

The first rule of boating: Keep the water out! All too often when that simple rule gets violated, the boat ends up a total loss. In 2011, the dollars paid out for sinking claims exceeded the payouts from Hurricane Irene, though Irene generated more than 10 times the number of claims. Water most often finds its way in through those pesky holes below the waterline. Many underwater holes have a way to keep them closed when they're not needed — seacocks. But seacocks must often remain open, so it falls to lesser fittings like hoses and clamps to keep the water out. Check, squeeze, and tug on all fittings below the waterline at least once a season to make sure your boat stays afloat.

1. Hurricane

Between 2008 and 2012, there were three major hurricanes — Ike, Irene, and Sandy — and the last two had claims numbering in the thousands. Our average payout per claim, however, comes in at #10 and ranks significantly below other categories where the entire boat is often lost — like theft, fire/explosion, and sinking — for two reasons. First, the increasing use of the hurricane haulout provision by our insureds has reduced losses. Second, our skilled and efficient Catastrophe Team handles large numbers of boats at one time and can negotiate the best rates for salvage and wreck removal. Hurricane preparation begins with the development of a well-thought-out hurricane plan