Boat insurance - a positive story

[Bobc]

We regularly see people asking for recommendations on insurers, and everyone has their favourite (usually the one they chose themselves), but the reality of it is that you've no idea just how good or bad they are until you have to claim against your policy.

Recently I had the unfortunate need to do exactly this. Over 25 years of never having to make a claim, and a few weeks ago I arrived at the boat to find that it had been broken into and a load of stuff was missing (including bolted-down stuff).

I contacted the insurer, did the claim online, uploaded some photos and the police report. Next day they came back to me and asked me to get quotes for replacement stuff, which I did and sent them. The following day I got the go-ahead to purchase the replacement kit. I did this and sent them the invoices, and the following day I got an email to ask for my bank details, followed by an email about an hour later to tell me that the money was on its way to my bank.

I was so impressed.

The insurer, in case you're interested, was GJW Direct. I can't thank them enough. Absolutely first-rate service.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Nice to hear a good outcome, I'm also with GJW.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

How it should always be but as we know often isn't. Good to know.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

A post like that has to be worth a year’s advertising in the yachting press. Good one GJW.

 

[awol]

Indeed, as it should be. May I enquire the value of the claim; the age of the stolen items and whether the policy was new-for-old; and any excess deducted?

 

[Bobc]

Indeed, as it should be. May I enquire the value of the claim; the age of the stolen items and whether the policy was new-for-old; and any excess deducted?

I won't divulge too much, other than to say that we weren't much off five figures, and they replaced everything with new without any deductions for age or use. Of course the excess was deducted, as that was the terms of the policy.

 

[capnsensible]

I used GJW for many years, both our private yacht and our school boat. Always had excellent service and recommend them.

 

[Resolution]

As another long-term GJW client this is Good News!

 

[awol]

I am glad your claim was sorted quickly and to your satisfaction. I am wondering if anyone using another broker has had a less satisfactory result for a claim, covered by a police report, for a sum <£10k? I would hope not but am wondering if the OP's experience was out of the ordinary.

 

[dankilb]

Also with GJW and never claimed but so far impressed with the service. The premium even went down slightly last year (with move from club to marina).

 

[STATUE]

A GJW insured boat broke off its mooring in the Exe, smashed into another boat and wouldn't pay the third party. How do I know this?
A whole page article in Yachting Monthly

 

[DanTribe]

I've been with GJW for 22 years. Had 2 claims, one was a grounding and came to lots of dosh, 2nd was a lost dinghy, pure carelessness on my part.
I asked the lady if I was covered for carelessness. "Oh yes, we get lots of those"
Both claims settled quickly and with no quibble.
The premiums didn't seem to rocket afterwards either.

 

[[3889]]

A GJW insured boat broke off its mooring in the Exe, smashed into another boat and wouldn't pay the third party. How do I know this?
A whole page article in Yachting Monthly

I had the opposite experience when I was with GJW. I was hit when moored by a boat gone walkabout and, though GJW did not recover costs from the 3rd party, they waived my excess and didn't increase my premium.
The only reason I'm no longer with GJW is that they don't cover consequential loss, unlike Pants.