No, not at all. Same rate

YUP!! Bite the bullet, after all, well you know!

So you have a $70,000 boat and want to make a insurance claim over $500? eeeek.

This is the reason why many insurance companies make checks for auto damage, boat damage and such out to both the insured and repair shop.

If you call your insurance and talk to him about this incident, I believe by law he is supposed to report it as a claim.
That does not mean he will but something to think about. Even if you do not move forward on the claim, it will still show as a claim filed.

My agent told me years ago that you buy insurance to protect yourself from your own stupidity. No different that hitting a tree or another boat, or driving your truck off the road or a hundred other dumb things we do.

Call your insurance agent if you have one. Mine has always been straight with me and provided me honest answers. If yours isn't, you probably need to make a change.

He should be able to tell what is covered, and what are the consequences, if any, if you file a claim. A claim doesn't always increase your rates.

Then you can make an intelligent decision.

That’s disturbing to hear that about lowrance they want you to pay for a new unit at a discounted rate vs fixing the one you broke and sending it to them so they can fix and sell to the next guy that breaks his. Why I pay for insurance anyway to fix my screw ups most of the time

If you bought insurance…use it.

I blew up my motor on New Year’s Day. The insurance didn’t cover it, but they covered previous damage to the prop and lower unit. I bought a new motor, now the insurance money is going towards seats, batteries, prop, latch pulls, Nizpro flash, and a used Carbon 12, new transom saver, gas, and hostess cupcakes. Whatever the hell I want. Again…I paid for it, they sent me a check.

I wish, I have an $8000 boat and put nice electronics on it, but it took a long time to save for them. I am not is a position to go buy all the best equipment for fishing all the time, I worked hard to get my electronics and yes the fact that it is broken is all my fault not putting that on anyone else. I just feel that repairing units would be nicer to the customers who buy your products rather than trying to bleed more money out of them. As for the insurance it's a thought and wanted some honest opinions from others who have already gone through this so I can make a smart decision.

Agreed.

This is what you are not understanding...they have no fault, no responsibility, no reason to do anything for you, you broke the unit. They are making you a VERY generous offer, it is probably at their cost, trying not to bleed you for money as you say, and you continue to bad mouth them for it. Their units are probably made over seas and they probably do not have the capability to make the repair you need so they are, even though they have no reason whatsoever, offering the next best thing which is a reduced cost new unit.

I work in the hobby world in manufacturing and the fact is now days people think the manufacturer is responsible to take it on the chin for everything. We are expected to replace product or parts from rough shipping practices to porch pirate theft, to peoples absolute incompetence and breaking stuff, and most of all for flat out dishonesty, people lie to get free stuff! It is not right! And don't forget, you terrible business owners, your employees, even though they are slugs, DESERVE at least $15-20 and hour or you are cheating them. If you refuse any of this we will get on public forums or reviews and bad mouth your company!

We as consumers short of a manufacturers defect should take responsibility. If you hook set a rock, buy a new rod, don't send it back! If you break your graph buy a new one. It is not Lowrance's fault you broke the unit but they are being extremely generous, buy the discounted new one.

BTW I have no affiliation with Lowrance, I am just a guy who goes fishing, buys stuff, and hates the way things are now days with it is always someone else's responsibility...

I looked at the lowrance site to see how they handle repairs. I was surprised to see that they don't repair anything. Just offer more warranties to upgrade. I had just assumed all the manufacturers did repairsto their units. Glad I just bought Humminbirds.

I hear what you are saying and am not saying you are wrong. I have a different opinion in that I feel simple repairs should be available as they used to be. Look at all my past posts in other threads I have always talked positively about Lowrance but this is a policy that I do not agree with. I am not trying to rip any company off or send something back to be fixed for free, it was my fault I don't mind paying but I also don't want to feel like I am being ripped off. That is my opinion just as yours is different. This thread was not to bash Lowrance it was to ask some advice from others who have been in this situation or similar so I can make a decision on what I want to do to fix my mistake / accident.

Pretty sure he would pay for repairs rediculous no repairs are offered for these just a discount on another unit! Hey Ford I just busted my windshield on my truck I just bought! This is Ford we can’t fix it but we can knock a couple grand off a new truck for you. Totally a money grab for Lowrance!

Not a good comparison, you would be talking about repairing the screen on the radio inside the Ford. Probably would not happen, probably would replace the radio 100% at the owners expense! But heaven forbid a business try to make a profit...