Insurance of personal effects

[RonPimm]

Having researched the market we have decided on an Insurer who will cover our liveaboard and cruising needs EXCEPT personal effects. As fulltime long term liveaboards, as we hope to be, we need insurance cover for the kinds of things that we have previously covered by extending our house contents insurance (cameras, computers, camping equipment, bikes, musical instruments etc). Despite much searching we have not found any insurance company that covers these items against eg theft, accidental loss/damage, including whilst in use off the boat. Does anyone know of any insurance company who does offer such cover? At one time there were insurers who offered what were called then (1970s) All Risks policies which provided such cover eg to students or anyone who did not have a house contents policy which could be extended. Not so now, it seems. What do other long term liveaboards do? Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Ron

 

[jerryat]

Hi Ron,

Our home/contents insurance is with Prudential. It covered both my laptop and (expensive) folding bikes while we were long term cruising, with no problems. The first year there was a £25.00 premium increase, but thereafter, no charge. They did not even require details of the computer or bikes. I didn't specically check with them re the cameras but suspect they were also covered.

Obviously the bikes are used 'off boat' and I made it quite clear that the computer would also be used ashore from time to time.

Might well have changed now (this was under three years ago) but worth a try I'd have thought. If we take off long term cruising again next year, we'll obviously confirm the same cover is there.

CHeers Jerry

 

[RonPimm]

Jerry
Thanks for that. We have enquired of Prudential but they say they only do such cover as house contents extension - which won't apply to us! Someone, somewhere must have some ideas?
Ron

 

[Cobra25]

Try: If not a broker will be able to find one for you.

St.Margarets Marine Insurance Ltd
Tailor-made cover for your individual requirements. FREE Personal Accident and Medical Expenses cover. Available for worldwide cover or sailing on your local lake! ... for Tender Dinghy(s), Outboard Motor(s) & Personal Effects. In addition FREE Personal ... MARINE EMERGENCY SUPPORT. 24Hr ...
www.stminsurance.co.uk/prod.html
More pages from stminsurance.co.uk 

Or;

Marine Insurance

Key Benefits of Policy:

* Competitive premiums for all types of craft
* Comprehensive, 'All Risks' cover
* Cover available for Personal Effects
* Third Party Liability of £2 million as standard
* Water Skiing Liability included free of charge
* Personal Accident cover if you are injured whilst using your boat
* No excess or loss of NCD if your craft is damaged in a marina
* No Claims Discount available with an option to protect
* 30 days free Continental cover
* Legal assistance and 24 hour helplines included


If you would like further information or a quotation call
FREEfone 0800 783 9595
please quote reference SPA

Or: Agreed amount looks better!

Admiralty Insurance Specializing in Yacht, Sailboat, Motorboat and Commercial Vessel Insurance
Our yacht policies are issued on an "Agreed Amount" basis which means there will be no depreciation in the value of the yacht in the event of a total loss. ... insuring yachts and can include specialty coverages for crew and professional captians and broader liability coverage to handle this unique market. Our yacht ... Personal effects. Towing ...
www.annetsite.com/beta/admiralty

If not a broker will be able to find one for you.

 

[RonPimm]

Thanks Cobra
We have already rejected St Margarets because
(a) their cruising restrictions were too onerous
(b) despite (a) they were by no means the cheapest
(c) they told us that they charged extra for personal effects!

Our enquiry of Admiralty Insurance met with a blank refusal.

As a generality we found that insurers have a very low limit on personal effects, typically around £250. In addition, they usually exclude off boat cover, and specifically exclude most of the items we need to cover even on the boat. One broker told us that if we found an insurer who provided the cover we required we should let him know as he's been trying to find one without success!
Ron