stolen outboard/no receipt for insurance co. ?

[fatboy]

folk's I have a bit of a problem. A couple weeks ago someone broke into my shed at the cabin up north and stole my 9.9 merc. and some tools and compressor. Well the insurance co. says that I have to give them the receipts for the stuff.This is not a problem with the tools or compressor but the out board was a drop shipment motor that I ordered/bought in 96 and I think that it was a 95 year model and I can not find the receipt for it and it seems that the place has fell off the face of the earth. Now without a receipt it sounds like it's tough luck on my outboard.So I need some advice on what to do or has this ever happened to you ! And I have looked for pictures of the thing and cannot find one.This might be one of those live and learn things I guess.

[perchjerker]

Oh man!

How did you pay for it? If you used a credit card or something you might be able to prove it that way.

Or if you had the warranty registered with Merc, they might have record that you owned it.

[fatboy]

brian- at the time I was going thru a divorce and used a money order:-(

[not true sir]

you do not need a receipt. you need a police report and a date of the theft. you will probably coolect a little less without the receipt, however; you need not provide a receipt with the proper police report, etc...

[Rich B]

I'm sure you filed a police theft report - and gave the police
the information on the stolen outboard ?

As the previous post noted, you should have some warranty or brochure
information that came with the purchase. As well, don't you have some
friends that can provide the insurance adjuster a brief statement that they saw the outboard motor ? Most insurance companies would like
to see sales receipts, etc; but that's not always possible in the real
world. Most times, if you can provide other types of information as to the ownership of the stolen item, and list the stolen item on a police report, your insurance adjuster will work with you on your claim. Did you have anyone winterize/repair this outboard for you ? Get a copy of that invoice for the adjuster.

You might also want to give your insurance agent a call and discuss this situation with him/her. They are often helpful in these situations. This is what you are paying your premimum for (service
with a local agent) - hopefully you don't have an out of area insurance company with a 1-800 # - you just can't beat a local agent in your home town.

Ask your adjuster what is acceptable verification on your claim. If you feel you're not getting a fair shake, ask for their
supervisor/claim manager and talk with them (after talking with your
agent). Most insurance companies today are fairly decent on their claim settlements, but unfortunately not all (and neither are all policyholders).

One other issue you should check out is whether or not the adjuster
you are talking with is a "staff" adjuster that works for your company, or is an "independent adjuster". The difference is often an
independent adjuster will take a more restrictive approach to one's
claim, as opposed to a staff adjuster that is more familar with his/her own company's guidelines, and what is acceptable.

If all else fails, you can write a letter to your state's insurance
department and ask them to look into your claim - you shouldn't have
to take a loss on your outboard because some thief stole it, and then
due to a lack of a receipt, your own insurance company refuses to
settle your claim (especially if they have good documentation on the
other stolen items).

Good luck on your claim - let us know how you get treated.

[GLO]

What does your policy say? I doubt it limits payment for loss to only situations with a receipt.

[fatboy]

I made a police report when it happened ! I will have to tell the insurance guy flat out that I do not have the receipt but that I have people that are witnesses to the motor being there (the last person to use it was my neighbor the sheriff who borrowed it often ! )

[DaveB]

Being a fisherman....do you have any pics that might have the motor in it? The insurance is concerned w/ paying out for non existant items-not denying you $$$ for things that were actually stolen. I bet that if you produce some evidence of ownership or even a picture, they will pay.

[Insurance co = Extortionists]

You clearly must have the never pay policy, wherin any claim you make will never be paid. Insurance companies do as much good for people as leprosy does.

[marcbodi]

Hi,
I had a Motor stolen from my back yard and filed thu my home owners policy.I went to a Marina that sold Mercurys and they gave me a Statement of how much it was worth.The company was State Farm.I had a ductable than but I upgraded it so if it happens again they have to replace it with a new one.













May I be fishing somewhere Tomorrow.

[Bo #582]

Fatboy, E-mail me at walleeeye@aol.com I need to know where you're from. I think you're in Michigan, right? If so, I might be able to help. Think spring.