Have You Ever Got Your Gear Stolen?

[Sam]

Fishes in trees, on 02 Aug 2014 - 15:08, said:

I was at a tournament once, 2002 at the Lake of the Ozarks - Millstone resort - where over night, thieves hit a whole row of bass boats moored over night in their covered dock.  I lost half a dozen or so rods & reels - value well over $1000.  Insurance didn't cover it because they weren't "locked up" even though when the sold me the insurance it was common knowledge that my boat didn't have any lockable storage.  Lesson learned - several guys lost a lot more than I did.  Thieves never were found.  Now I am very careful were I leave my boat in the water - for the most part I don't.  All gear gets locked up in the fishing truck if I'm at a motel.

 

 

Fishes, your story reminds me of a situation many years ago in South Hill, Virginia.

 

At an FLW region tournament some of the guys had their props stolen off the motors while their boats were parked in the motel's parking lot.  And I am talking about the big stainless props valued at over $800 each.

 

No one was ever caught.

 

Now the new owner of the motel has a special lighted area with the electrical hookups and a watchman service on weekends.  No more problems at that motel.

[FrogFreak]

All these stories are going to make me change my ways. Up where I stay, it's pretty secure. I bet I haven't locked my rod locker on my boat all summer but I'm going to start. And I'm going to call my insurance company. 

 

When I was a kid someone stole one of those big cassette tape holders out of the back of my truck. I had a bunch of custom recordings of the band I used to play with in there. Man was I ticked.

[porkleaker]

Yeah, I keep everything locked up, even though this area is filled with trustable, nice people. But I've been burned in the past when someone stole my guitar and all the music I had written down in it. Since then I keep everything locked down.

[tcbass]

I was at a tournament once, 2002 at the Lake of the Ozarks - Millstone resort - where over night, thieves hit a whole row of bass boats moored over night in their covered dock.  I lost half a dozen or so rods & reels - value well over $1000.  Insurance didn't cover it because they weren't "locked up" even though when the sold me the insurance it was common knowledge that my boat didn't have any lockable storage.  Lesson learned - several guys lost a lot more than I did.  Thieves never were found.  Now I am very careful were I leave my boat in the water - for the most part I don't.  All gear gets locked up in the fishing truck if I'm at a motel.

Anyone with lockable storage get their stuff stolen?

[Fish_Whisperer]

All these stories are going to make me change my ways. Up where I stay, it's pretty secure. I bet I haven't locked my rod locker on my boat all summer but I'm going to start. And I'm going to call my insurance company. 

 

When I was a kid someone stole one of those big cassette tape holders out of the back of my truck. I had a bunch of custom recordings of the band I used to play with in there. Man was I ticked.

All it takes is one person, just one, to make you reevaluate how secure it really is...

[slonezp]

Anyone with lockable storage get their stuff stolen?

It doesn't take much to pry open a locker. When I travel, I leave the lockers unlocked and bring the gear inside. Most they can get is a couple batteries.

[FrogFreak]

Here's an update. After reading this thread yesterday I called my insurance agent (State Farm) and they did say stolen property was included but I needed to give them a dollar figure. I gave them $3000 to cover rods, reels, tackle, fishfinder and TM. I think my policy went up by $40 a year. Well worth it in my opinion.

[slonezp]

Here's an update. After reading this thread yesterday I called my insurance agent (State Farm) and they did say stolen property was included but I needed to give them a dollar figure. I gave them $3000 to cover rods, reels, tackle, fishfinder and TM. I think my policy went up by $40 a year. Well worth it in my opinion.

Everything that is not permanently attached to the hull needs a rider. I carry enough coverage for myself and my co-angler.

[midgastumpjumper]

Everything that is not permanently attached to the hull needs a rider. I carry enough coverage for myself and my co-angler.

this is known as an endorsement to your homeowner's policy.  Your fishing stuff is covered for theft under your contents coverage of your regular homeowners policy but it is a good idea to have an endorsement to cover your fishing equipment if you own a lot.  There is a reason your wife's wedding ring is endorsed.  Its because your homeowner policy only covers theft of jewelry up to 1500 dollars usually.  And note that it only covers "theft" of jewelry and will not cover any jewelry at all if it is just lost or "mysteriously disappears."  Anyways back to fishing stuff.  If you have an endorsement for your fishing stuff then it will cover more than just theft of your items.  An endorsement could cover you if you drop your tackle box or that 500 dollar combo into the bottom of the lake and could also cover your rod if you break it by accident.   Also you can choose a deductible that is specific to the endorsement.  So your regular homeowners policy carries a 1000 dollar deductible but your endorsement for your fishing stuff can carry anywhere from 0 to whatever deductible you choose, depending on how much risk you want to retain.  Check with your agent.

 

either way it is a good idea to take photos or make a video of your stuff.  It will make your life a lot easier come time to file that claim.  This goes for fishing stuff and everything else you own.  Take your phone and go through every room in your house, open your droors, etc.  Then store the video somewhere other than your house in case of a total loss fire.  If your home burns down your insurance company will ask you to make a list of everything you own... 

[SirSnookalot]

I had a sage and tibor reel on a moving van, when it was unloaded the rod an reel were gone.  I didn't notice the loss for a while, too busy unpacking.

I was fishing the jettie very early in the morning, walked up with 2 outfits.  Placed one on the railing and fished with the other, got back and my new outfit was gone.  I walked back to my car and en route on a park bench a guy was sitting with a rod, walked over and it was mine.  Without saying a word I grabbed the rod, then I grabbed my phone and called the police.