We are in our third week in front of the Gladstone purgatory waiting for repairs to start while we argue with our insurer. Believe us when we say we repent. We won’t forget this episode in a hurry!
Waiting for weeks with nothing much to do has never been our strong suit. But that’s not the worse bit of the rudder repair saga.
We thought we were progressing. The ‘deconstruction’ part of the work started a week ago. The rudder was opened up, the steel shaft and frame removed so it could be copied by the metal fabricator, the repair job quoted. So far so good!
We then submitted our claim, complete with photos and quote, the assessment was done then we waited with bated breath for the approval from our insurer, New Wave Marine.
The claim approval came yesterday, but with a catch: a request for a 50% contribution to the rudder costs on top of our excess. The insurance company is claiming two things: they argue the rudder was corroded through lack of maintenance and they are treating the work as a new for old replacement rather than a repair to the existing gear, so given the age of the boat, we should pick up half the cost. It goes without saying we are contesting this with assistance from the Port City Fabrication team who are in discussion again with the assessor.
Our broker also indicated that if we give the go ahead for the repairs, we give up our chance to argue our case regarding our ‘contribution’. So until the argy-bargy is sorted, we are in limbo. It’s infuriating, but unfortunately this is the reality of dealing with insurance companies. They will do their very best to reduce their liability.
In the midst of all of this, one member of the Anui crew is quite content: Bengie. She hops off the boat every morning, trots along the jetty to nearby bushes, sniffs all these weird smells, warms her old body on the jetty in the sunshine on the way back. When she has had enough, she calls for her slaves to lift her back on board, then yodels again in front of her empty food bowl clearly indicating she is at risk of imminent starvation.
We should follow Bengie’s lead and relax in the sunshine but we can’t. The whole process since arriving at Gladstone has been painfully slow and frustrating. Deep breath in, deep breath out … this too will pass!
Sv-Anui 
This will pass but it’s a real pain in the… Bengie looks so cute sitting there! Insurance companies everywhere are crooks in my opinion. I hope this is sorted out very soon before you two go nuts! ☺️🙏🏻
Yes, they make an already stressful time worse!
Yes, it’s ridiculous!
oh, my! We feel for you. There’s a lot to recommend a trot in the morning, sniffing the greenery, a roll in the sun and a yodel for food. But I agree, making the transition to focus the mind during an insurance episode is very difficult. xx
They can’t knock our claim back but they try and find a way to wiggle out of paying!
How incredibly infuriating! Hope it gets sorted asap for you. Oh for the life of a cat with cat butlers!
Hope so too, Jan. She is very spoilt!
Bugger!!!!I’m sorry
So are we, Bill. A mistake we won’t forget easily.
Just wanted to say ‘hi’ and ‘am truly thinking of you’. Won’t bore you to bits but am at the moment amidst a very similar ‘mess’ to yours in a totally different way, ie see my problems clearly whereas the ‘deciding bodies’ look past and say ‘not important’ and ‘no time’! Truly keeping my fingers crossed for you! Bengie, with that assured facial look, is helping me also to ‘look forward’! Hugs >>>
Not being heard or having others distort your story and try to find ways to get out of doing what they are supposed to do is not fun. Stay well, Eha.
Oh Chris – your words hit local situations right on the nose . . . have as good a week as you can . . .
You too my friend!
Bengie is just enjoying his surroundings and relaxing without a care in the world while his humans are so frustrated with waiting dealing with the insurance company!! I hope that this situation gets resolved in your favor and the waiting is not much longer. Insurance claims are a pain to deal with. Hang in there!!
Thanks Esther. We should follow our girl’s lead … she is pretty cool. Hopefully next week will see some progress.
Benjie also knows her humans got everything under control and her needs well taken care of, so she’s living her best life.
Next week is pretty soon, although for the waiting, that could feel too long. But great to hear that progress will be made next week.
Join the club of ‘Insurance Haters United’! I have some stories of battles won and lost. Stick to your guns and remember you can always threaten them with legal action. There’s no way they’d fight you in court, cheaper for them to pay up. If you have written evidence from your boatyard supporting your argument, it’s amazing what a simple letter from an obliging solicitor can do. Hey you could be in worse places than Gladstone!
Hi Elgar, hopefully we’ll be sorted early next week.
What a drama… it’s not as though any of us drop our rudders every haul out for inspection! We’ve dropped ours twice in 12 years and in your case it’s the contact with reef that’s caused the issue not lack of maintenance… Insurers… sigh..
They are trying anything to get out of paying the claim. It seems we pay those outrageous premiums as live-aboards just to get into a marina or shipyard, but if an accident happens and you put a claim in… sorry!
They know how to take money but not pay it out…
Sending hugs and still planning to catch up when you have a new rudder and we have new legs!
Let’s hope so. Something special to look forward to.