Winter storage and liability

[Cyclones]

Dropped my boat off maybe a month ago at the dealer for some work, winterization, and storage for the winter.  Got a letter from them today stating that their insurance company has asked all storage customers to sign a liability waiver.  The waiver says, in part, “dealer assumes no responsibility for loss or damage by fire or theft, or weather hazards incidental to boat and personal possessions.”

 

My first time doing this.  Is that normal?  If their building burns down due to some electrical problem or something else then they would really bear no responsibility?  Maybe that’s standard, I really don’t know.  I’d appreciate some knowledge from those with experience.  Thanks!

 

 

[Kirtley Howe]

I don't know if it is standard, but the few places I have stored a boat indoors they had insurance to cover those scenarios.   Boats stored outdoors at a dealer or marina is a different matter. Some have insurance that covers the boat for theft and vandalism, but not "acts of God".  (Weather, fire, flood). And some offer no insurance coverage at all, and will ask you to sign a waiver of liability and/or proof that you have your own insurance.

[Jig Man]

I don’t know where you live but around here you can not insure another person’s property.

[Kirtley Howe]

54 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

I don’t know where you live but around here you can not insure another person’s property.

  Think about this....you take your car to a repair shop, and leave it there while they are working on it. While there it gets stolen, or catches on fire while they are working on it, or it falls off their lift and is damaged. The repair shop has insurance to cover that sort of thing, and their insurance is what pays out. They are not insuring your property as much as they are insuring against their liability. Same is true of a storage business, no matter what they may be storing...furniture, household goods, a car or a boat......doesn't matter.  As I said, acts of God are usually not covered, but fire, theft, vandalism and incidental damage is. Is it different in Missouri than it is here in NY?

[MN Fisher]

8 minutes ago, Kirt Howe said:

Same is true of a storage business, no matter what they may be storing

Here in MN - it's the renters responsibility to get insurance. The storage facility may offer insurance, but the renter has to sign the agreement and pay the monthly fee in addition to the cost to rent the space.

[Kirtley Howe]

4 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Here in MN - it's the renters responsibility to get insurance. The storage facility may offer insurance, but the renter has to sign the agreement and pay the monthly fee in addition to the cost to rent the space.

Ah...I understand now. Here in the Southern Teir of NY, every legitimate (as opposed to "casual") storage place I have delt with do not add a special fee for the insurance. It is just built into the storage price. Casual storage places (a local farmer who rents out space in his barn for storage for example) may well insist you have your own coverage, or have you sign a waver saying you will find him blameless if something happens. Interestingly enough, in NY, most wavers of rights are not worth the paper they are written on, unless they are with a government agency. In most cases you could still sue the farmer, and it would be up to a court to decide who has to pay, and it could go either way. 

[Cyclones]

Thanks for the responses.  I guess I’ll sign it.  If something happens you file a claim with your own insurance and I suppose they can fight it out with the dealer/storage place’s insurance if need be.

 

Insurance is basically organized crime.

[gim]

I used to store my rig at a storage facility from mid October - mid April the last several years.  They made me sign a liability waiver too, which I agreed to.

 

My own personal boat insurance coverd my rig while its in storage in case of a fire, tornado, theft, etc.  I have to tell my insurance agent when it goes in there and when it comes out.  And since its in a different county, my rate actually changes by a few bucks too.

 

My boat is being stored at my Father's house now, in his garage.  I still told my insurance that but they said that since its not a business, the insurance policy will remain the same.

[Jigfishn10]

Like @gimruis I store my boat and signed a waiver. My boat insurance covers whatever happens.

 

@gimruis, you just reminded me to call my agent...Thanks man

 

[gim]

6 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

you just reminded me to call my agent

 

I would usually bring mine on a weekend and my agent is off on weekends but I had 48 hours to notify them of the change.

[Jigfishn10]

11 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

I would usually bring mine on a weekend and my agent is off on weekends but I had 48 hours to notify them of the change.

I'm about a month and a half behind...?

[Bankc]

7 hours ago, Cyclones said:

Thanks for the responses.  I guess I’ll sign it.  If something happens you file a claim with your own insurance and I suppose they can fight it out with the dealer/storage place’s insurance if need be.

 

Insurance is basically organized crime.

Yeah, that's usually what you have to do.  Often, if you don't sign it, they'll ask you to come pick your boat up and take it somewhere else, where you'll likely have to sign the same waiver.  But, as you said, that's what your insurance is for.  And if your insurance company feels that that storage company should be held liable, they'll do all the court stuff and it'll be a lot easier on you.  

[TnRiver46]

What kind of boat you got? I’ve got some open driveway……….  no waiver required and I’ll keep fresh 100% gas running through it all winter ……… it may have fish stank all over it come spring but guaranteed no ethanol……..

[slonezp]

On 12/7/2021 at 9:56 PM, MN Fisher said:

Here in MN - it's the renters responsibility to get insurance. The storage facility may offer insurance, but the renter has to sign the agreement and pay the monthly fee in addition to the cost to rent the space.

Same in IL