Sailorsnook
New member
I've been living aboard my old Dutch cutter ketch Francesca since 2003 and have travelled extensively. A few years ago I wanted to go to The Black Sea and my existing insurer was reticent. A Kiwi sailor I met recommended his insurance company as being flexible and accommodating although he admitted he'd never had to claim.
Anyhow I switched to Edward William marine Services and have been loyal to them since.
I arrived back in Gallions Point Marina London in October 2012. In May 2013 I renewed my insurance with Edward William Marine Services, but before doing so e-mailed them to explain I was not living full time on the boat at present and detailing what contents cover I needed. I specified both the amount of cover I wanted and the kinds of items on board to be covered.
When the schedule came through it showed Euro 5000 of contents cover rather than UK£5000, but it showed equipment/other which I understood to be the items I'd advised ie computers and cameras etc.
On 27th June I found I'd been comprehensively burgled, they took everything of value, even my new shoes, they crow-barred the clock and barometer from the cabin wall, they really went to town. the whole thing
I made an honest claim to Edward William, who didn't query the amount they just rejected the whole thing out of hand.
I contacted the Ombudsman, but despite having an office in Great Yarmouth the company is not regulated here! I then got on to The Financial Conduct Authority and found them listed as a firm to avoid - but who would know to look there. It appears to be a scam insurance company and I have reported the fraud to The National Fraud Reporting Centre (effectively the UK Police), Paypal, who I paid the premium with, and the Spanish Ombudsman.
I don't really expect to see a return, but i would like to warn others and hopefully see them closed down. Please note the3 company name Edward William Marine Services - the policies claim to be from Northernreef Insurance so watch out. If anyone has experience of dealing with scams like this I'd love to hear from you. A friend did tell me there's a regular on this forum going by the name JFM who may be able to help??
Cheers Malcolm Snook
Anyhow I switched to Edward William marine Services and have been loyal to them since.
I arrived back in Gallions Point Marina London in October 2012. In May 2013 I renewed my insurance with Edward William Marine Services, but before doing so e-mailed them to explain I was not living full time on the boat at present and detailing what contents cover I needed. I specified both the amount of cover I wanted and the kinds of items on board to be covered.
When the schedule came through it showed Euro 5000 of contents cover rather than UK£5000, but it showed equipment/other which I understood to be the items I'd advised ie computers and cameras etc.
On 27th June I found I'd been comprehensively burgled, they took everything of value, even my new shoes, they crow-barred the clock and barometer from the cabin wall, they really went to town. the whole thing
I made an honest claim to Edward William, who didn't query the amount they just rejected the whole thing out of hand.
I contacted the Ombudsman, but despite having an office in Great Yarmouth the company is not regulated here! I then got on to The Financial Conduct Authority and found them listed as a firm to avoid - but who would know to look there. It appears to be a scam insurance company and I have reported the fraud to The National Fraud Reporting Centre (effectively the UK Police), Paypal, who I paid the premium with, and the Spanish Ombudsman.
I don't really expect to see a return, but i would like to warn others and hopefully see them closed down. Please note the3 company name Edward William Marine Services - the policies claim to be from Northernreef Insurance so watch out. If anyone has experience of dealing with scams like this I'd love to hear from you. A friend did tell me there's a regular on this forum going by the name JFM who may be able to help??
Cheers Malcolm Snook