Jet-ski sinks and "Flo" won't cover it!

by phoenixrising2005 » Mon Jul 26, 2010 04:13 pm

I was riding my PWC (personal watercraft) with my GF when it sink without warning in about 10 seconds. I had full coverage on the PWC and immediately called "Flo". They asked that I take it to a nearby independent mechanic for evaluation, which I did. The mechanic claimed a seal failed causing it to sink. Flo says they don't cover sinkings caused my mechanical failures. So I took the PWC to a nearby dealership with factory trained mechanics to repair it. They were able to get it started in the shop, and they trailered it to the river. They drove the craft on the river and it never leaked a drop of water. However, there is clearly internal engine damage. The dealership not find any mechanical failure that would cause it to sink. So I called Flo back and they agreed to have the adjuster stop by the dealership to review their findings. Now 5 days later, the adjuster refuses to go to the dealership and are refusing the claim based on the finding of the mechanic that never put the craft in the water. HELP!

Total Comments: 9

Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 04:55 pm Post Subject:

The mechanic claimed a seal failed causing it to sink.



Claimed or presented evidence of a failed seal? Makes a difference. Did "Flo" really suggest that you take it to an independent mechanic?

They drove the craft on the river and it never leaked a drop of water



Then obviously there is something else going on. Leaks in marine/watercraft are fairly easy to diagnos.

Now 5 days later, the adjuster refuses to go to the dealership and are refusing the claim based on the finding of the mechanic that never put the craft in the water.



Have you tried speaking with a supervisor? Again, if the mechanic presented evidence of the failed seal, what did the dealership say about it. There is obviously evidence of a "leak" since there is internal damage. What is the dealership's opinion on how this damage occured?

Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 05:45 pm Post Subject: Owner responds

First mechanic put water in hull only, then pushed driveshaft to side to MAKE it leak. SeaDoo dealer insisted ALL their craft will leak water if you push the driveshaft to the side, that's just how they are constructed. SeaDoo trained mechanic said all hoses were in place and could find no mechanical failure. So whether the plugs were inadvertantly left out or just what, NO MECHANICAL failure. When you buy full coverage on a PWC, you'd think a sinking not deliberately done would be covered. I'm 54 years old and I've been boating for 45 years. My girlfriend was NOT pleased to be floating down the river freezing for 45 minutes until a fisherman saw us.

Flo has been extremely poor at returning calls and very snotty. Flo can't "prove" what sunk it either. Get out the lie detectors or charge me with insurance fraud. Otherwise, pay up!

Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 06:07 pm Post Subject:

When you buy full coverage on a PWC, you'd think a sinking not deliberately done would be covered.



Full coverage does not mean "everything" is covered.


you'd think a sinking not deliberately done would be covered.



Perhaps, but what does the policy specify? If it does not include coverage for sinking, the cause of the sinking won't matter anyway. Obviously, there is/was a cause for the sinking.


Flo can't "prove" what sunk it either.



That's not their job. You have to prove your loss. And in this case, if sinking isn't covered in your policy, there is no reason for them to act.

charge me with insurance fraud



For?

Otherwise, pay up!



How about starting by reading your policy. What perils are covered? A lot of your questions/concerns would more likely be resolved by doing so.

Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 06:28 pm Post Subject: Owner responds

My loss is proved with witnesses. They DO cover sinkings if it is NOT mechanical. If I accidently left the plugs out, let it fill up with rain, hit a rock, collided with a navigation marker, or hit a dock, it's all covered. Go read their web site for PWC insurance and you'd believe that you'd be covered.

It would be as if you bought full coverage on a car, had an accident, and found out they don't cover collisions.

So I can prove with a SeaDoo mechanic that there was no mechanical failure. I have his inspection, the service managers inspection, the owners inspection, and two other mechanics that inspected it and saw the same thing. Sorry, but God wasn't available to prove Progressive should pay.

Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 06:36 pm Post Subject: Owner responds

Clearly the above poster earns his money by defending Progressive or companies like them. I'm not a punk kid, but 54 years old. I've never had a car accident in my life, never had an insurance claim, and I've been boating for over 45 years. I deal with insurance companies on a daily basis for major collision repairs to buses and motorhomes. I can tell you Progressive is the absolute worst to deal with for the customers and us.

Progressive covers sinkings of PWC if it isn't mechanically caused. There is no proof of that. I can't "prove a negative".

Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 06:40 pm Post Subject:

My loss is proved with witnesses.



Seriously? You have to prove that the loss of the sinking was not due to mechanical failure. At the present time, "Flo" doesn't see it that way, so
you have to prove to them that it was not mechanical failure

Go read their web site for PWC insurance and you'd believe that you'd be covered.



I could read it all day long, but I would rather read it from your policy since it's specific to your property.


had an accident, and found out they don't cover collisions.



Ah ha. But you didn't have an accident, it just sank. Your car insurance doesn't cover mechanical failure either.


So I can prove with a SeaDoo mechanic that there was no mechanical failure.



Okay, so as long as your policy covers any sinking peril without the cause of mechanical failure, then there shouldn't be a problem. However, if your policy doesn't cover it or there is better evidence provided by the first mechanic, not much Progressive will do.


Sorry, but God wasn't available to prove Progressive should pay.



or not for matter.

Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 06:43 pm Post Subject:

Clearly the above poster earns his money by defending Progressive or companies like them.



:roll:


I can tell you Progressive is the absolute worst to deal with for the customers and us.



How much did you earn for this statement?

Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 06:46 pm Post Subject:

Beam me up, Scotty.



My thoughts exactly.

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