Our 98 JC Pontoon was hit by a 90 year old wooden sternwheeler. The paddle boat lost power and drifted into our lift and pier. The pontoon was on the lift and initially we thought there was no damage. However, when we started taking pictures etc., and looked underneath the pontoon. The motor pan and the back of the pontoon where the tubes are fastened on was rippled. After reviewing again, we found paint residue on the back of the propeller housing (right half) and on the starboard corner of the pontoon. The paddle boat pushed the pontoon forward on the lift as far as it would go, and there is evidence that the port tube climbed up the side of the pier as there is paint damage to the pier on the top edge of the side board.
The marinas (two) say the damage underneath was not caused by the incident. Why will they not acknowledge this damage and put on the estimates? The original estimate had replacement for the starboard tube, and lower unit. They absolutely refused to put the motor pan on, saying it wasn't caused from the accident. The estimate was approximately $6,000.00 We had another marina take a look, and they adamantly stated there is no damage to the pontoon caused by the paddle wheel and that this was pre-existing damage. The estimator then called the first marina, who then changed their estimate to no damage, and now they are not planning on giving us any $$ for damages to the pontoon. The lift was damaged beyond repair, so they are replacing that. Need some expert advise on why they refuse to acknowledge this. Any thoughts? Are they baulking so they don't have to total the pontoon? The sternwheeler does have liability insurance.
The marinas (two) say the damage underneath was not caused by the incident. Why will they not acknowledge this damage and put on the estimates? The original estimate had replacement for the starboard tube, and lower unit. They absolutely refused to put the motor pan on, saying it wasn't caused from the accident. The estimate was approximately $6,000.00 We had another marina take a look, and they adamantly stated there is no damage to the pontoon caused by the paddle wheel and that this was pre-existing damage. The estimator then called the first marina, who then changed their estimate to no damage, and now they are not planning on giving us any $$ for damages to the pontoon. The lift was damaged beyond repair, so they are replacing that. Need some expert advise on why they refuse to acknowledge this. Any thoughts? Are they baulking so they don't have to total the pontoon? The sternwheeler does have liability insurance.
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