Any recommendations for Insurance?

[Guest]

I'm currently looking around for insurance for my 28 foot yacht.

Can anyone give a recommendation for a good Insurance company, or any horror stories?

The quotes I am getting back are reasonable enough and not much between them, but I'd rather go with a company who provide good service in the event of a claim.

Regards

Sean Foster

 

[Wai_Tapu]

Thankfully, I have not had to make any claims, but I have been very impressed with all my dealings so far with St Margarets 020 8778 6161. They came recommended by the previous owner who I believe was with them for 13 years.

 

[iangrant]

01702 470035
Brian Wallice
KC Powell & Partners
Or - I had a good few years with Traffords Ltd 0870 9000331 (cheaper for the smaller boats) Had a claim they paid up no question. Both got web sites, both advertise in PBO so this may get just get left on ;-)
Good luck

 

[Guest]

I have found Pantaenius to be very helpful and I am pleased with the true "plain English" style of their policies. Very few items are excluded and I recently had to make a claim for the repair of my engine and it was easy.

 

[Goldie]

Try "Yachtmaster Insurance Services" on 01394 461 331 or www.yachtmasterinsurance.co.uk. Ask for Max Burgess.
We had reason to claim a few years ago. Phoned them at 9 a.m. Authorised to haul out at 0905. Out of the water at 0930. Surveyor arrived at 1230!! (and this was on the Weat Coast of Scotland). No quibble with the claim, great service from start to finish. Hope never to have to use them again!

 

[cynthia]

With GJW (Groves, John Westrup?) always been good, no claims, but have extended cover to other areas/ in water dates etc. outside those specified in the policy, mostly without any charge.

No complaints whatsoever.

 

[Giles]

What about insurance for Owner-built boats?

My Dad sailed over to the UK in a yacht he built himself in South Africa. He is struggling to get any sort of realistic quote for insurance. He has been told by several insurance companies that they do not insure self-built boats. This is despite his yacht be passed by various authorities as strucually safe to be used to charter.

 

[romany123]

Re: What about insurance for Owner-built boats?

Giles
Your Dad was he on the east coast sailing single handed?....I met a guy at the Walton and Frinton Yacht club last year, He was asking me the same question.he also came from South Africa

Dave

 

[Giles]

Re: What about insurance for Owner-built boats?

No, he was in Plymouth for a while around Aug-Sept 2000. Since then he has been laying low in the Eastend (Galleon's Reach)
Once his coffers are filled (July/August) he plans to make for the Carib and then follow Sloculm's route around the world. (Single-handed)

 

[romany123]

Re: What about insurance for Owner-built boats?

I wish him well

Dave

 

[PeterGibbs]

Re: What about insurance for Owner-built boats?

Go straight to Bishop Skinner (RYA recommended) for general European waters coverage.

For further afield, Pantaenius are hard to beat for getting you back on your feet.

It's all a question of how a claim is treated - ie new for old / replacement with similar but not idential goods at the discretion of the insurer (including, in the event of total loss, a replacement vessel of their chosing of similar age, but not the same as you had etc)

As ever, the small print distinguishes between the offerings - not the marginal difference in coverage charge!


PWG

 

[vyv_cox]

Bishop Skinner

My experience of them is that it depends entirely where you keep the boat. If you are a Yachtmaster, are a member of RYA, keep your nearly new boat in a marina on the south coast, have never claimed,etc they may be competitive. When I asked for a quote (at LIBS in the RYA lounge a few years ago) for a 1979 Westerly GK29 kept on a swinging mooring in North Wales it was clear from their attitude and comments that this was business they did not want. Their quote was exactly twice what I was then paying a local broker. I did have a claim on this broker and it was paid without quibble.

 

[Dreamers]

My personal advice based on actual experience - I would not touch Nautical Insurance Services Ltd, Leigh on Sea with a barge pole. Delivering my boat (albeit out of season but with their knowledge and agreement) from Solent to East Coast last year, they wrote to my home address whilst I was on passage to say that they were not prepared to continue cover as the 'weather had detoriated'. There was nothing at all in their terms and conditions or personal correspondence to indicate they would do this, effectively left me stranded in Dover, a busy commercial port with no cover. To add insult to injury they then refused to refund the unused part of my annual premuium.

Rang Pantenius imediatley and they gave me instant cover to continue voyage.

Chose Pantenius after commercial ship surveyor told me he wandered into the accounts department of his large company and asked the question 'Who pays up?' Unanimous response - 'Pantenious'. Haven't had cause to claim, but they are very helpful on the phone and at the Boat Show.