Boat broken into and trashed; what do I do?

Really sorry to hear about this. Difficult even to imagine your distress at discovering both theft and damage and made worse as we are all just beginning to see sailing emerge from this awful pandemic. Difficult too, to offer meaningful support and advice; for what it’s worth I would tell both police and insurers that you may need time to identify other items that have been stolen. And most importantly, perhaps take a day or two to consider the future. It would be a sad way to end your sailing.
 
Bristolfashion said:
Generally insurers have to ask specific questions both at proposal stage and on a claims form. As long as both of these sets are answered accurately, they should be able to evaluate your claim accurately.

I wouldn't be worried about submitting a claim form and provisional list of loss and then adding to it later as long as you make this clear.

Damage consequent upon the theft such as rainwater damage caused by open hatches should also be included, to at least indicate this on the form.
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Thanks.

Have taken photos and video.

Just watched some videos of previous sailing; boat was great, cabin sole held my weight.

Will submit as much info to insurers as possible.
 
magicol said:
Really sorry to hear about this. Difficult even to imagine your distress at discovering both theft and damage and made worse as we are all just beginning to see sailing emerge from this awful pandemic. Difficult too, to offer meaningful support and advice; for what it’s worth I would tell both police and insurers that you may need time to identify other items that have been stolen. And most importantly, perhaps take a day or two to consider the future. It would be a sad way to end your sailing.
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Thanks.

The minority often ruin it for the majority don't they?

Sad to hear it has happened to others on the same river.

Someone somewhere must have a lot of boat kit.
 
Sailingsaves said:
Can't think of a way to get rid of the boat and don't want to pay to moor a hulk.
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My boat insurance includes wreck removal. If your claim comes to more than the value of the boat, which sounds likely, she'll be a right-off, which surely means removal becomes the insurer's problem. In any case, it must be worth talking to them.
 
Stemar said:
My boat insurance includes wreck removal. If your claim comes to more than the value of the boat, which sounds likely, she'll be a right-off, which surely means removal becomes the insurer's problem. In any case, it must be worth talking to them.
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That’s the most sensible idea of all, I think.
Edit; Sailingsaves, isn’t there a Marine Crime unit down your way? Put the Essex Police Marine Unit on your radar
Really sorry to hear of your woes, perhaps you could consider mooring away from the Blackwater?
 
Sorry to hear of your woes, it's very upsetting I know. Don't put too much reliance on the Police follow up, they have much on their plate at the moment. Some years ago I caught two lads breaking in to neighbouring moored boats at dawn on the Crouch. I phoned 999 and gave chase in my dinghy. I caught them then realised that I'm an old guy confronting two fit lads in a lonely place! I took some photos and let them go. The area car did attend but the lads had long gone. Reported it to Essex Marine unit and local Crimestoppers who expressed interest in the photos. I'm still waiting for a follow up years later.
I've had only excellent service from GJW even when things have been my own fault. Good luck.
 
Stemar said:
My boat insurance includes wreck removal. If your claim comes to more than the value of the boat, which sounds likely, she'll be a right-off, which surely means removal becomes the insurer's problem. In any case, it must be worth talking to them.
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Thanks for that. Will talk to them. I am sure the boat is worth less than £400, so will see what they say.
 
Sorry to hear that you were picked on, it sounds like the thieves were 'boat aware' as opposed to your average scrote.
I went down to check on mine yesterday, luckily all was in order. Thieves did have a go at mine some years back, the boat alarm deterred them but not before they had taken a Stanley knife to the boat cover and made a start in the lock with a crowbar and splintered some of the wood on the teak door.
Unfortunately, the cost of the damage done was not a lot more than the excess on the insurance policy (with Pants), so I ended up not claiming.
 
Really sorry to hear about this. Lots of good advice re the police and insurers. I might add that now could be a very good time to start looking for a new boat. You never know, the insurance pay out may be enough for a new-to-you one and with a little saving, perhaps even an upgrade? Today may feel like a disaster, but you never know, it may herald the start of a whole new chapter.
 
Sailingsaves said:
Thanks for that. Will talk to them. I am sure the boat is worth less than £400, so will see what they say.
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When you've answered the insurer's questions, then take their instructions on what to do with hull. Lay out no money other than to prevent further loss and deterioration, which I see you've begun. You may still be liable for short term mooring but discuss with mooring owner who should be sympathetic. Recovery of your gear is a distant prospect and the insurer should not prolong settlement on that account.

Is the boat a constructive write-off? Then you should be made an appropriate settlement offer.
It's up to you to rebuild or leave the insurers to dispose of the hull, which since it will cost them, they should be prepared to reflect in a higher settlement offer.

I join with panellists in your anguish over this vandalism. There are worse things in life..but not many!

Good luck.

Peter
 
Yes, a good company so far with excellent comms and speedy response..

Is it weird that I am now realising that I am going to miss sailing a lot?

Plenty of walking to do instead perhaps. Perhaps do deliveries again, but the Covid regulations may prove too much of a pain to complete; not a big fan of paperwork... a career filled with paperwork was enough.

But I am not going to miss the worry of boat ownership. Thieves really are a demoralising bunch; one gets their little boat set up comfy and with all its nick nacks and then one finds it half flooded and empty and it is difficult to remember some of the nick nacks that went missing.

Thankfully the insurance company seem to be a good one.

Thanks for all the help and advice.

Have a good season.
 
I am pleased the ins co are dealing with this ok. My experience of a house insurance claim following a break in was very good, similarly the two other boat break in claims were dealt with very well by the two different ins companies 30 years apart. My household break in I claimed about £500 for replacement at 2nd hand values on a list. The insurance co (LV) got a claims assessor to contact me. I assumed he was going to quible about the values and that I had NO Recepts and was amazed when he said that the replacement value of the items was about £2.5k and talked me through the detaled list. I settled for a £2300 payment rather than a credit note for £2550 at jewellers. They can be very fair.
I hope you manage to get another boat from the settlement & good luck after your bad experience.
 
Am tempted to suggest something that wold protect other people from similar damage. But it involves the boat looking like it has been repaired and full of valuable new gear to steal.
 
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