Boat Insurance in the Med.

[MaltaBob]

Hi all,
The renewal date looms - anyone know a good insurer for boats Med. based? Have used St. Margarets but just keep going up , despite no claims for 25 years! Also Cheers Ins.
Does the ' team ' think £860 net premium is OK for local cruising around Malta and based in a good marina all year for a 40' Princess , value circa £130k ?
Opinions appreciated- thanks.
Bob. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[peterb26]

St Margarets eh?

I have used them all the time and last year I thought "no way" when I got my renewal as it had increased dramatically.

Filled in a couple of on line forms - got the alternative quotes and rang St M back and said "sorry - leaving you".

When they asked why I told them of the saving I was making. (around £200).

They asked for 30 minutes but rang back in 5.

"We will match that quote and do a lower excess for you."

So I stayed with them.

I don't think you should have to arm-bend in this way and a bit of me said "move away anyway" - but their systems did know I'd been with them for God knows how many years and I thought that if I have to do this again in the future, this history may just help.

 

[MaltaBob]

To be fair , St. Margarets did the same a couple of years back,and said I'd been with them a long time they would match a cheaper quote. Fair enough, but the following year got a quote from Cheers Ins. ( Haven Knox Johnston) £100 cheaper, but now they have gone up to St.M's price.
We know that if its worth having, you have to pay for it! But, I have a feeling marine insurers are doing very nicely out of some of us, and they DO fail totally to recognise 20+ years claims free, and religiously slap an increase on each year.
They are probably aware that some individuals are unlikely to make a claim ever ! Motor ins. is a good example when ins. companies analysis claims by Advanced Motorists - almost nothing !!

 

[Hurricane]

I use St Margarets - UK waters though - maybe soon to be Med waters!.
Different insurance quotes could be judged on the lowest premium but surely it must be better to base one's decision on the service that is provided. In most cases though it is only when a disaster happens that you are able to test the service.
However, I have experience of a claim with St Margarets where I strogly considered that I wasn't to blame and to be fair they fought my corner well and VERY professionally. Not a great experience because (due to their excellent letters) the clain didnt proceed and justice rulled but I supose thats what its all about.

Incidently on the premium thing where they "try on" to see if you will pay a higer premium - this happens to me every year with my car insurance - I always complain that someone else is cheaper and always get a better price whilst sticking to the same insurer.

Now that I've seen this post, I'll do the same with St Margarets but I think (on balance) that I'd stay with them.

 

[Sneds]

Hi Bob!

Don't know if Traffords will cover you where you are our our premium has not increased on 3 years, despite making a claim!

 

[thefatlady]

I found GJW very good for the one claim I made at the nether end of Corsica.

Also very helpful when a well-known builder crashed his boat into mine when I was berthed in a marina. He paid up, so no claim was necessary.

 

[MaltaBob]

Thanks for your input guys, would have been interested to know what others spend by way of net premium, obviously related to insured value.
A survey on this would show some very interesting facts , particularly if the claims info were included. Personally my take is that, most of us forumites would be responsible owners and take great care in our marine activities?
Iain, any sign of a new boat yet??
Bob.

 

[Sneds]

No /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[PlanB]

Bishop Skinner have always been good for us. There was no noticeable increase when we moved our boat from Kent to Costa del Sol.

 

[Nick_Pam]

I'd second Bishop Skinner

No variance on price between a 1995 37ft Dehler in UK and a 2006 40ft Jeanneau in Med

Nick

 

[stefan_r]

Greece, 46 footer, same-ish value...Bishop Skinner.

Not sure but six hundred something quid rings a bell.

Lost the paperwork...whoops!

 

[mysterybroker]

I would try De-Novo, Uk based but seem to have alot of contacts in the market place and offer good service.

The best person to talk to is Dean Shaw - 07919 400119.

Very helpful wether you buy from them or not.