Help with insurance & boat alarms

[winchmonkey]

I am just starting to take my first baby steps in buying a second hand boat. Whilst there is plenty of information / advice concerning proof of ownership / surveying / finance issues, there seems to be a dearth of information on security / insurance. I have even met some boat owners who claim not to bother with insurance.

Can anyone recommend a good marine insurance company? Do most people just stick with the "big three" such as Navigators & General? Also, any comments on boat alarms, is it just me or do they seem quite expensive? Again, any recommendations (even if it is "don’t bother) appreciated.

 

[ccscott49]

Pantaenius.

 

[Bodach na mara]

I'm with Nav and Gen and resent paying what seems like an arm and a leg. The alarm will seem expensive as the cost of everything related to boats is high, so it's not just you. I suspect an alarm will be just as useful as a car alarm!

Ken Johnson

 

[whisper]

Ditto

 

[LORDNELSON]

Bishop Skinner RYA Insurance, seems expensive to me, but I have had one serious claim with them and the service was excellent

 

[tony_brighton]

Bishops Skinner have been good for me.

Most marinas etc will insist that you have insurance cover for at least £2m 3rd party - it seems pragmatic to have your pride and joy insured.

 

[LadyInBed]

I've been with Haven Knox- Johnston 01732 223600 for about 20 years. Can't say whether they are better or worse than others, only that I had a claim about 15 years ago when the boat mooring riser chain broke free and they sorted it out for me with no fuss. They extended my cover, at very little cost, when I took the boat to the Med.
One thing I have noticed is that they don't hassel me for survey's every few years, didn't even request one when I changed boats.

 

[pvb]

One thing to check with insurers is...

One thing to check with insurers is whether you're covered for single-handed cruising in the hours of darkness. Most insurance policies exclude this, although many sailors don't realise it. Maybe you have no intention of using the boat alone, but if you do, there are lots of nice evenings when you might be pottering back to your mooring after (technical) sunset, and if anything happened, the insurance company wouldn't pay out.

 

[halcyon]

May be changing there system, we are with them , they had copy of new survey, on renewal this year they were asking for another. Silly thing is that due to work comitment, and sorting out boat we never made the water, so thats technically two serveys for a laid up boat.
At the moment we assume a computer glitch.

Brian