Boat insurance for specific UK areas?

[Falling Star]

I'm hoping to get the boat launched soon. It has been on "Laid up" insurance cover for the last few months so I need to organise a new policy.

As I don't plan to make any long passages now, is it possible to get an alternative to the usual "UK coastal waters" cover? I am thinking that, say, East Coast and Thames Estuary. Lowestoft to Margate would be sufficient.

Are there any insurance companies that offer this? I am hoping that this cover would enable a reduction on the standard, all UK, cover.

 

[Tranona]

Doubt there would be any saving in premium for a more restricted area - the risk is little different - it increases after you get further from UK and N Europe coastal areas.

 

[Graham376]

Doubt there would be any saving in premium for a more restricted area - the risk is little different - it increases after you get further from UK and N Europe coastal areas.

Agree. Standard policy wording for UK coastal waters is likely to be cheaper than tailor made one.

 

[The Q]

You're more likely to get a cheaper quote from a local broker for a local area. the Big boys aren't interested.. My local broker was half what a big boys wanted, even though the actual insurance was the same company...

 

[Osmosis]

Try Nautical in Leigh on Sea.
Found them to be helpful in the past.

 

[[70521]]

As I don't plan to make any long passages now, is it possible to get an alternative to the usual "UK coastal waters" cover? I am thinking that, say, East Coast and Thames Estuary. Lowestoft to Margate would be sufficient.

Is the water any less harmful in that area? Looked quite busy when I passed last summer and entering Lowestoft with 2.75 knots across the pier heads was an interesting maneuver.

 

[Falling Star]

Thanks for the suggestions. My existing "Laid up ashore" policy has about 6 months to run so the plan was to cancel this and get a refund for the unexpired period. Then get a new policy before launching the boat. Hence my original question.

As it turned out, my present insurer was able to change the laid up ashore policy to a standard UK coastal and inland waters cover for a small fee. Just seemed a lot easier and cheaper so that's what I've done.

 

[Falling Star]

You're more likely to get a cheaper quote from a local broker for a local area. the Big boys aren't interested.. My local broker was half what a big boys wanted, even though the actual insurance was the same company...

Try Nautical in Leigh on Sea.
Found them to be helpful in the past.

Thanks for this. I will try them for a quote when the existing policy expires.

 

[Falling Star]

Is the water any less harmful in that area? Looked quite busy when I passed last summer and entering Lowestoft with 2.75 knots across the pier heads was an interesting maneuver.

There is an old saying that if you can safely sail the Thames Estuary then you can sail anywhere in the world. Not sure if that's true but I'm happy to tell everyone it is!

 

[Tranona]

Thanks for the suggestions. My existing "Laid up ashore" policy has about 6 months to run so the plan was to cancel this and get a refund for the unexpired period. Then get a new policy before launching the boat. Hence my original question.

As it turned out, my present insurer was able to change the laid up ashore policy to a standard UK coastal and inland waters cover for a small fee. Just seemed a lot easier and cheaper so that's what I've done.

There is almost no difference in costa and risk between a "laid up" policy and an "in commission" for basic UK waters. It only makes a difference if you are looking for wider coverage, for example going off ocean sailing or marina based policy to an exposed swinging mooring. The vast majority of claims are related to theft and weather related damage, Claims for accidents while actually sailing are a tiny minority. Even going outside UK waters the majority of the extra premium reflects the higher cost of settling claims rather than the increased risk of claims arising.

 

[Falling Star]

Ah OK. Didn't know that. Interesting. Thanks.