Boat claims in Naples

Boat & Yacht Claims in Naples

Florida's first marine-only public adjusting firm serving Naples vessel owners in Collier County.

Naples sits on the Gulf of Mexico with a boating community centered around Naples Bay, Gordon Pass, and the Ten Thousand Islands to the south. When your vessel claim gets denied or underpaid, Public Yacht Adjusters delivers marine-focused advocacy to fight for the settlement you deserve. Hurricane Ian proved how devastating Gulf surge can be for vessels stored at local marinas and dry storage yards. Our adjusters specialize in the complex filings these catastrophic events produce. Call (305) 351-9194 for a no-obligation vessel review.

Naples Bay holds one of the densest concentrations of vessels on Florida's Gulf Coast. The Naples City Dock, Naples Boat Club, and private docks along the bay waterfront store center consoles, sport yachts, sailing vessels, and motor yachts that rely on Gordon Pass for Gulf access. This single inlet serves the entire Naples boating community, and when conditions deteriorate, boats queue up in a narrow channel where collision risk spikes. Our marine claims services handle inlet-related damage, storm claims, and disputed settlements throughout Naples.

Hurricane Ian in 2022 proved what Naples boat owners always feared. The storm pushed catastrophic surge through Gordon Pass and into Naples Bay, lifting boats off their cradles at dry storage yards, sinking vessels at their slips, and depositing boats blocks inland. The insurance claims from Ian alone generated billions in marine losses across Collier County. Carriers responded by denying claims, delaying payments, and offering settlements that covered a fraction of the damage. Our hurricane damage team has been helping Naples boat owners fight these lowball offers since Ian made landfall.

South of Naples, the Ten Thousand Islands and the Everglades backcountry attract fishing boats and cruisers into remote, shallow waters. Groundings on oyster bars, mangrove roots, and sand flats cause hull and running gear damage far from any boatyard. Getting the vessel towed out and repaired is only half the battle. The insurance claim for these remote-area incidents requires documentation of location, conditions, and environmental impact.

Read what our clients have shared in our client reviews and contact us for a no-obligation claim review. Naples boat owners should not accept the first offer from their insurance company.

Boating Challenges in Naples

Hurricane Ian's direct hit on Naples in September 2022 was the defining marine insurance event for the Gulf Coast. Storm surge exceeding 12 feet at Gordon Pass destroyed marinas, sank hundreds of boats, and pushed vessels miles inland. The insurance industry's response has been slow, adversarial, and often inadequate. Many Naples boat owners received initial settlements covering less than half the actual damage. Supplemental claims and public adjuster intervention have been essential to recovering fair compensation.

Gordon Pass is the only inlet serving Naples Bay, and it is a narrow, shallow channel with a reputation for rough crossings during west and southwest winds. Boats grounding on the bar, hitting the jetty rocks, or colliding with other vessels in the channel generate claims that carriers fight with operator error arguments. Documentation of pass conditions, tide data, and vessel draft is critical.

The shallow Gulf waters near Naples create a storm surge amplification effect during hurricanes. Unlike deep-water coastlines where surge dissipates, the gradually sloping Gulf bottom pushes water higher and further inland. This means boats at marinas and private docks that appear safe in normal conditions face surge levels that exceed their dock height by multiple feet during major storms.

Naples Areas We Cover

Naples Bay and City Dock

Central waterfront marina district where hundreds of vessels face tidal surge, Gordon Pass inlet current, and the full force of Gulf hurricanes entering the bay.

Crayton Cove and Port Royal

Upscale waterfront with the Naples Yacht Club and private docks where high-value motor yachts and sailing vessels face surge flooding and collision damage during storms.

Marco Island Border and Goodland

Southern Naples area where commercial fishing boats and cruisers at Goodland marinas face Everglades backcountry storm exposure and shallow-water navigation hazards.

What Clients Say

Insurance is so confusing... but Scott was AMAZING! He had patience, knowledge, and understanding to my situation and advised me on how to navigate and move forward with my boat claim. I can confidently make the decisions I have to make without being intimidated by my insurance company! You can trust what he says...he doesn't have ulterior motives... Just wants to help you! Too bad, I could only give him 5 stars... I would have given him 10 stars!

Jennifer Stark
Florida

Scott and Valeria were extremely helpful and professional in providing their knowledge and guidance through this most difficult ordeal. And their help turned out to be free! After paying insurance premiums on my boats over the years, my first attempt at filing a claim was a disaster. In the first 4 weeks after Hurricane Ian, I had several conversations with insurance adjusters, but never the same person twice. Fortunately, by the time I was provided with what appeared to be a permanent adjuster, I had already spoken to Scott and Valeria. In my meeting with this adjuster, I asked for a copy of the insurance company's estimate, telling him that Scott would be reviewing it and the boat. A written estimate was provided within 2 days of the meeting. It was shared with Scott immediately. After Scott reviewed the boat and the estimate, he called to tell me that I was lucky. I had gotten a fair estimate and did not need to hire him. Responsible, knowledgeable, and honest. WOW!

Richard Destefano
Florida

Excellent service, Scott and Valeria work extremely hard to deliver services that are 2nd to none. They went above and beyond with service excellence. I had a 1981 O'Day sailboat that was submerged underwater, and they made sure that I got a just and fair settlement.

Howard Lane
Florida
Marine damage and claims representation trusted by Naples boat owners
Collier County

Why Naples Boat Owners Trust Us

Public Yacht Adjusters is Florida's first marine-only public adjusting firm. We bring 25 years of boat building and marine experience, Certified & Accredited Marine Surveyor credentials, and licensed public adjuster expertise to every claim in Naples.

We work on a contingency basis with nothing upfront. If we do not increase your settlement, you owe us nothing. Call (305) 351-9194 for a free consultation.

Florida marina

Ready for a Free Assessment in Naples?

Our marine claims team will inspect your vessel at no cost. No obligation, no upfront fees.

Free Assessment Call (305) 351-9194