How to File a Marine & Boat Damage Insurance Claim in Florida
Marine claims run on their own rules, starting with whether your policy pays agreed value or actual cash value. Here is how to file one.
Last reviewed July 2026. General guidance, not legal advice.
Marine and watercraft policies are separate from homeowners coverage and vary widely. The single biggest factor in your payout is whether the policy is written on an agreed-value or actual-cash-value basis.
Know your valuation basis first
An agreed-value policy pays a pre-set amount on a total loss; an actual-cash-value policy pays replacement cost minus depreciation, which can be far less. Your declarations page states which you have, and it shapes the entire claim.
How to file, step by step
- Secure the vessel and prevent further damage where possible.
- Photograph and document all damage before repairs or salvage.
- Report the loss to your marine insurer promptly.
- Obtain a marine surveyor’s report on the cause and extent of damage.
- Submit a proof of loss supported by the survey and repair estimates.
Common marine-claim pitfalls
Disputes over pre-existing wear versus storm damage, undervaluation on actual-cash-value policies, and denials tied to haul-out or named-storm conditions in the policy. A surveyor’s report is the evidence that anchors the claim.
How to File a Marine & Boat Damage Insurance Claim in Florida FAQs
Agreed value pays a pre-agreed sum on a total loss; actual cash value pays replacement cost minus depreciation. Your policy’s basis, shown on the declarations page, greatly affects the payout.
For anything beyond minor damage, yes. A surveyor’s report on cause and extent is the primary evidence supporting a marine claim.
Want a professional to handle this for you?
Foremost Public Adjusters has recovered millions for policyholders across South Florida. If your claim was denied, delayed, or underpaid, we will review it for free. No recovery, no fee.