Q: A teenager stole a boat and hit my friend's parked boat & boat lift with it, can my friend get money for the repairs?
This incident happened in the middle of the night on a private inland lake in Michigan and there is a police report. The owner of the stolen boat left the keys on it but apparently my friend can't make a claim against their boat insurance since the owner wasn't driving the boat. My friend doesn't have boat insurance and their property insurance will only pay $2,500 towards the $9,000 boat repair and only a small portion of the $5,000 repair for the boat lift.
A: If a teenager stole a boat and damaged your friend's parked boat and boat lift in Michigan, your friend may be able to seek compensation for the repairs. Gathering evidence like photos and repair estimates can support their claim. Checking the boat owner's insurance policy for coverage is important. If the owner's insurance doesn't cover the damages, your friend could consider small claims court.
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