[mariahboy]

Hi there...new member here! Inspired to jump on the site because I love my Mariah - but my insurer has just informed me that it is totaled as a result of damage from being blown off my Floe lift in a July storm here in Minnesota. It is (was) a 1998 Z212 Limited Edition - Solid Black exterior with tan interior. The damage is to the Hull...and the Insurance Company is offering me what i believe to be an extremely low replacement cost...ANYBODY HAVE ANY THOUGHTS TO HELP ME OUT? I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR ANY SUGGESTIONS/OPINIONS!

Thanks!

[ColoradoDiablo]

Sorry to hear that MB That makes ya want to cry I know. I went thru the same with a 21' Sportcraft that got tboned and wound up taking it in the shorts. That's exactly why I have my 92 Diablo insured for total loss of 10,000.00 Yeah I pay dearly for the extra coverage , but I figure if something was to happen to it , at least I'd have a good start to another Mariah.
I don't mean to pry , but do you have the option of buying it back or keeping the boat? If so part her out. There are guys on here , Ebay , Craigslist , etc that would be all over it. You would definately get more than they are offering I'm sure.
Sorry for your lose , but glad you weren't hurt.
And welcome to MOC.

Larry

[mikeyt]

Your insurance company is likely using the NADA valuation guide which is, as we have found elsewhere, usually off base with their assessments but in their defence its just a general guide. Despite the general public concensus, the insurer doesn't intentionally try to rip you off. This is a negotiation game. The insurer will always try to settle for the lowest $$ they can (unless its a 'valued' policy and then the price is set in stone) and its now your job to get them to get a more realistic price on the table. Your best option is to start searching out similar boats to yours using the internet, eBay, Craigslist or even our own Marketplace and arm yourself with some evaluations/pictures/advertisements etc. It doesn't have to be the exact same boat but as long as its close, they can be a year newer or older and maybe "just" a Z model and you can use those prices to work out the value of your boat. You can also hire your own appraiser and get him to evaluate the boat in its pre-loss condition & if he's any good he will be able to separate the storm damage & price the boat as if the damage didn't happen. You need to realise the appraiser the insurer hires is working for them. The appraiser you hire will be working for you and both appraisers know who's paying the bill. So dont stand around yellin' about those g*d d*mm insurance companies and instead get your argument for a better price pulled together and present it to them. Show them that you have done your homework and that's when they will negotiate.
Once you have those things in hand you are in a much better negotiating position.

[ColoradoDiablo]

Well put mikey.
It definately is a learning experience. The average consumer doesn't make many claims in their life if any. So they (we/me) don't realize all the ins and outs of the "insurance game".
IMO insurance is a catch 22 situation. They tell ya what you want to hear , but unless you are up on the "game" your gonna take it in the shorts.
Either way MB, your losing your nice boat.
I wish you well!

Larry

[mariahboy]

Thanks guys. I will act on your comments. Since I have been "negotiating" with my insurer, their first offer was 8k, then offered me 10.5k for the claim ( both offers w/o the matching prestige trailer). In a fit of frustration I pushed to buy it out and fix it - my price is 2k. Any thoughts as to if that buyout is at all reasonable? Again, thanks. This web site makes me want to stay a Mariah owner.

[Dredd]

That happened to me as well. I pretty much did what Mikey said. I put together an aggregate website with pictures of my boat and pictures and links to ads of comparable boats for sale all over the country. They were trying to give me a Bayliner price. About the only things I considered comparable were Sea Rays and Cobalts. It was pretty frustrating but it ended up working out for me.
Good luck!

$2K sounds like it might be a good buy back price for that boat but it totally depends on the extent of the damage.

[mariahboy]

Thanks Dredd. Anyone else have an opinion on the 2K buyback? My mechanic suggested the labor cost of stripping the boat would be costly - and probably not worth it. Sounds like about 8k in possible hull work including new jell coat - could I have the black just painted black? And if I can't locate any buff Limited Edition upholstery fabric to replace the back deck that was ripped then I will have to recover the entire interior. Yikes! Again, any thoughts?

[mikeyt]

I'm not sure that the boat is economically worth repairing and no, you cant do without the gelcoat because that's what protects the fibreglass from water infiltration. But.... if u can buy it back for $2k and then part it out you should make your money back & then some.

[mariahboy]

Thanks...