What does a real estate broker / lawyer know about Maritime Law? More than you might think, especially when it comes to Maritime Property-Insurance Claims.
It is said that the only calls that gets through to a busy executive without delay are ones from a hospital concerning the kids, and one from a boatyard concerning the yacht. It’s probably true. So imagine when your insurance carrier claims there is no coverage for an injury (to the boat, that is). That … is when I step in.
No, I don’t do “Jones Act” personal-injury claims. While I’m a licensed USCG 100 Ton Inland Master, and life-long boater, I’m not a “maritime law” specialist in that sense. However, if there has been damage to property, say, a recreational yacht, a container filled with goods, or a dock that got rammed by a ship under-controlled by her captain—and the insurance company is giving you grief about whether there is coverage, or how much is covered, well, then, that’s right up my alley.
Insurance law, is not like Maritime law in those respects. The valuation of a claim, the duty to defend claims or to settle claims for a fair price – that’s all “insurance law” — and that’s what I do.
So, if your baby (the one that floats) has been hurt, call me. I feel your pain, and can make the carrier pay what it should, when it should.
(And, yes, that’s me; and, yes, I’ve a USGC Master’s License…My wife even calls me “Captain” now and then — mostly when we’re docking the boat, and perhaps when I’ve been less than clear in asking her to do something with a line or fender. “Captain” is a term of endearment – right?)