Aggressive Legal Advocacy for Boaters, Yacht Owners, and Marine Professionals

Boating in Florida is a way of life. With nearly one million registered boats in the state and countless miles of coastline, it is no surprise that boating accidents, weather-related damage, theft, boat fires, and insurance disputes are common. When your vessel is damaged and your insurance company delays, denies, or underpays your claim — you need a legal team that knows how to navigate complex marine insurance laws.

At the Neblett Law Group, we are a full-service maritime law firm led by David Avellar Neblett, Esq., B.C.S., who has been practicing law for almost 25 years and is a Board-Certified Admiralty & Maritime Law Expert since 2013. Our team of attorneys have successfully handled thousands of insurance claims across Florida, and in District Courts across the county helping clients recover the compensation they are rightfully owed.

Common Boat Insurance Claims We Handle

Boat insurance policies are designed to cover loss or damage to your vessel and related property, but insurers often dispute coverage or undervalue claims. We represent clients in cases involving:

⚓ Hurricane and Storm Damage

High winds, named storms, and hurricanes can destroy boats on lifts, at the dock, or in storage. Most policies include numerous exclusions and Named Storm Deductibles, and insurers often use these exclusions to avoid payment and/or to reduce the amounts paid. We challenge unfair deductions and exclusions.

⚓ Sinking and Submerged Vessel Claims

Boat sinking losses are one of the most expensive and traumatic issues a boater can face. If the cause of the sinking or partial submersion is covered under your policy (like a storm, impact, or collision), we help ensure your recovery is maximized.

⚓ Fire, Lightning, and Explosion Claims

From marina fires to engine explosions and lightning strikes, we collaborate with our team of experts to prove the cause of the loss and secure proper compensation for our client’s vessel damage, personal property and expensive navigation equipment.

⚓ Collisions, Groundings, and Navigational Hazards

Hitting an underwater object or colliding with another vessel can cause catastrophic damage. Many boaters will tell you that if you have never run aground, then you have never been boating. Whether it is a hull breach, there is damage to seagrass or natural resources or liability for crew and passenger injuries, we seek full policy recoveries and/or defend your rights under both hull coverage and P&I policies.

⚓ Theft and Vandalism

We handle claims involving stolen boats, motors, electronics, or personal gear, and challenge denials and underpayments based on improper storage or security exclusions.  Florida, especially South Florida and the Keys are full of criminals that target boats, and many professional thieves can steal an outboard or all of your electronics in a matter of minutes.

Know What’s Not Covered: Common Boat Insurance Exclusions

Insurance companies frequently deny claims by citing to policy exclusions.  These exclusions can be very tricky and are not related to the cause of the loss. Many carriers have a business plan designed never to pay claims and will deny your sinking or wind claim if your fire extinguishers have not been certified every year. Many insurance companies will deny claims based on an old marine survey, traffic citations, captain or crew on or off the vessels and many other “exclusions” or policy issues that do not relate to the loss or damage. The most common exclusions we fight include:

  • Wear and tear
  • Unnamed, unlisted, or “undocumented” operators
  • Navigation limit violations – including Hurricane Limits
  • Failure to comply with survey requirements
  • Failure to certify fire extinguishers and other safety equipment
  • Competitive event damages, fishing tournaments, regattas.
  • Infestations (e.g., mold, barnacles, rodents, and birds)
  • Failure to hall or move the boat prior to storms
  • Marine life, seagrass, pollution, coral, and other natural resource damage
  • Mechanical breakdowns, “poor maintenance” and Inchmaree clauses
  • Accessories and gear not specifically listed (e.g., fishing equipment, GPS, radios)
  • Improper storage/transportation and trailering

Our firm will review your policy closely and fight back when your insurer wrongly uses exclusions to avoid paying a valid claim.

We Hold Insurance Companies Accountable

Insurance companies are known for using delay tactics, partial payments, and claim denials to protect their bottom line. David Avellar Neblett, Esq., B.C.S., a Board-Certified Admiralty & Maritime Law Expert and his team of attorneys are experienced in marine policy interpretation, coverage disputes, and litigation. We regularly handle:

  • Denied claims
  • Underpaid claims
  • Slow claims processing and improper adjustments
  • Total loss disputes
  • Bad faith insurance practices

We assist clients during the claims process all the way through Trial if needed. We have gone up against all the large marine insurers and have beaten all of them and achieved great payouts, settlements, and jury verdicts. The carriers that we often see (and beat) include, Progressive, Great Lakes Insurance, Concept Special Risks, Lloyd’s of London, Segwick, ION Insurance Company, AIG, Chubb, Progressive American Insurance Company, Progressive Preferred Insurance Company, Allstate, Markel, Accelerant Specialty Insurance Company, Texas Insurance Company, Markel American Insurance Company, Hull & Company, Hadron Specialty Insurance Company, Edward William Marine Insurance, and many more.

Expertise That Makes a Difference

Whether you are a recreational boater, commercial vessel owner, fisherman, or marina operator, David Avellar Neblett, Esq., B.C.S., a Board-Certified Admiralty & Maritime Law Expert and his team provide:

  • 🧭 Comprehensive legal guidance on coverage disputes
  • ⚖️ Litigation & Trial representation
  • 📝 Policy review and loss prevention strategies
  • 💼 Commercial hull & machinery claim representation
  • 💡 Advice on yacht sales, repairs, and warranty issues

Our firm also provides transactional services for yacht purchases and sales, maritime liens, captain and crew employment issues and assists clients with procuring the proper insurance so that they  are properly covered and have a better chance of recovery if they do have a loss.

Why Choose Neblett Law Group?

✅ Board Certified in Admiralty & Maritime Law
✅ Thousands of Successful Claims and Many Trial Victories
✅ Decades of Combined Marine Law & Insurance Claims Experience
✅ Offices Serving All of Florida and District Courts for the United States of America
✅ Free Initial Consultation

Contact a Florida Boat Insurance Lawyer Today

If you are facing an unfair denial, delay, or dispute related to your boat insurance claim, do not go up against the insurance company alone. Let the Neblett Law Group fight for you.

David Avellar Neblett Esq., B.C.S. and the attorneys at the Neblett Law Group have represented hundreds if not thousands of boat, yacht, and marina owners regarding marine insurance claims. Hire experienced marine insurance claims lawyers to fight big insurance companies and their attorneys.

Please call or contact David Avellar Neblett Esq., B.C.S. for a free consultation or to discuss any insurance claims or questions about marine insurance that you may have.  You can also check out our informative Utube videos, this site and #BoatClaim for more information. 

📞 Call David Avellar Neblett, Esq., B.C.S. at (305) 456-0445