Brest to Elbe

[oldbilbo]

I've spoken to numerous would-be insurers, some at the LIBS, others at SIBS and the Beaulieu BJ, and in each conversation I've stressed that I am not in the slightest interested in cover involving European Waters east of the Franco-Belgian border. The estuary of the Elbe, the Schelde, and similar waterways hold not the slightest interest for me, nor have I the slightest intention of visiting any of the Continental Inland Waterways as far as 46°30'N and 010°00'E. I do not want cover for risks of the waters I will not visit.

To each of them I stress that I will want cover including the coastal waters of France as far south as Noirmoutier or La Rochelle and certainly as far as Le Croisic/St Nazaire.

Not one of them has responded with a quotation reflecting that. I've even waved my arm at the nearby crowd of yotties, reminding the representative that not 1 in 100 of them is the slightest bit interested in the charms of the Elbe, but probably half or more is likely to consider heading down past Camaret to South Brittany. That's what I and they will want to be reflected in a policy of insurance.

So why on earth are those dinosaurs still firmly rooted in 'Dulcibella' and 'Carruthers'....? Why on earth are they so unresponsive to the requests of would-be customers? Must I go to a French insurer to get cover for France?

 

[Tranona]

'cos doubt it would make the slightest bit of difference to the premium. All it is doing is setting reasonable limits for basic cruising risks. Supplements would be payable if you wanted to go outside those limits.

 

[doug748]

Pantaenius do extended cover as standard. From La Rochelle to somewhere else (Spitzbergen or the Boston Stump, who knows?). I am hopless at small print but I will look it up if you like.

I have always assumed therefore that I was covered for the west coast of France, which, as you say, is the main thing.

Mind you, you pay through the snout with them.

 

[Uricanejack]

Yes. Seams to be a common pain with insurance.
I found I had a problem getting Insurance for my delivery home from outside the usual limits.
Having bought the boat in US I thought US insurance would be easier and cheaper. Wrong you have to have a US address.
Trying to get one of insurance was expensive and complicated.
I ended up getting insurance which covers the whole coast of N America from Mexico to Alaska and Caribbean to Labrador. with the exception of anywhere in the named storms season and region.
The coverage is limited to 3 months on top of basic at a reasonable rate.
As far as I can tell it’s a very general policy.
The options are
Local. Not outside specific limits.
Coastal Offshore up to 75 miles offshore or as I got 150.
Round the world.
I suppose the they run the numbers and come to the conclusion off shore here or there is the same risk.

 

[[3889]]

Unless you're planning on transiting the Straits of Hormuz or such like I agree that there is very little premium loading for cruising area. A few years back I extended my policy mid term from UK coastal to Gibraltar to Uk and was charged less than 10% additional premium, most of which was administration fee.

 

[skip50]

Two years ago, my cover was the 'standard' Brest to Elbe, gave my insurers (Yachtmaster) a ring, who covered to La Rochelle at no extra premium. Ever since then when my renewal arrives, it still covers me to La Rochelle.