My boat insurance is due for renewal and I'm thinking about getting other companies to quote. Anyone have any recommendations? Or companies to steer clear of?
It is certainly worth shopping around. When I insured our new boat last year it was quite surprising the variation in quotes. In the end I stuck with Bishop Skinner who had given me no problems (though no claims) on my previous 2 boats even if they were not quite the cheapest, they were significantly less than some.
I have used the brokers Nautical Insurance Services for about 10 years now. They have always got me a good deal and have been very efficient. Had two boats insured with them and a positive experience of them handling a claim as well.
These folk are so efficient in quoting and covering without any paper/form filling other than onscreen that I don't bother getting comparisons- this setup suits me just fine and backed by Navigators & General too.
Apparently Navigators and General think my boat is too small to be cruising where I want to. Obviously going to Ostend in my boat is total madness! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
I'm already with Nautical Insurance Services and have been for about 4 years. No problems with them, just thought I'd shop around this year. Was with Craftinsure until I went to NIS. Had to leave Craftinsure because while they were happy for me to sail from the Suffolk Coast to the Channel Islands and even Ireland, they didn't want to cover me for crossing the North Sea. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
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Haven't ignored you, just waiting for Bishop Skinner to ring me back! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
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I know Bill Southgate (director - Bishop Skinner) is on holiday this week. I always deal with him and he's modifying my insurance so I'll probably have to wait until next week now. No doubt someone else in the office will sort you out shortly ECB.
I've used B-S for many years and they're an excellent company, run by sailors so very knowledgable. The only claim I've ever made was responded to by them incredibly quickly and sympathetically with just a couple of phone calls and three emails. Superb, and highly recommended. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I transferred to Bishop Skinner when Jame Steele/Cooper Gay stopped doing marine insurance. Accepted the 13 year old survey plus a statement that I had maintained the boat since. - this is on a 40 year old wooden boat.
When we bought the Bavaria in Corfu got quotes from all the main brokers. All much the same (within 10%) except Pataenius who were much more expensive. Varying conditions, so stuck with BS mainly because they accept single handing and friends using boat with my permission without extra charge. Never had a claim so don't know about that part.