Call 800-440-0858. This step MUST be done prior to going to a BP claims office as you MUST have a claim number. Everyone should call the 800 and get your claim number NOW!!!!!!!!!
Once you receive your BP Claim number you can proceed to the nearest BP Claims office in your area. You will need your claim number, a copy of your tax records, including schedule C, your vessel registration, document, COI (if USCG
inspected), picture ID, some documentation of the trips you ran from 4-21-09 to whatever date in 09 that matches your info for 2010. (Example) Document the trips you ran in 2009 from 4-21 to 5-15. Provide your records for 2010 from 4-21 to 5-15. Provide a copy of your booking book or a few pages to show how you maintain records.
The difference between 09 and 10 will be used to calculate your losses. Losses will not include fuel, bait, tackle, any expense that you do not have now but does include your dock rent, insurance, web sites, phone, or any ongoing expense. If
you have collected any emails or faxes from parties who have cancelled trips, bring a copy.
Once you are issued a check then keep records from that day until you need to make another claim in two to four weeks. When you return you will only need to provide documentation of cancelled trips vs. what you did last year. Provide copies only, keep your original documents. Try to have all the above and if you have more info to document your loss then bring copies of that.
For those from the area of the Big Bend south to the keys and up to Miami, plan ahead and if you want your vessel considered for the vessel of opportunity program and should you need to make a claim in the near future, the above should still be used.