Insurance on the Alde

[oilybilge]

We're trying to get insurance for our 24-footer (chiefly for the 3rd party) but the insurance company insists that she can only be kept on the river between 30 May and 1st November, and then must be moved ashore or to another location. I suspect it's because moorings are officially allowed on the Alde only for 6 months of the year, after which it's given up for the birds. But lots of yachts are moored on the river outside this period. Are there any Aldeburgh-ites around who can offer some advice? We hardly want to be restricted to a 6 month season. Cheers!

 

[johnalison]

Insurance companies seem to have lists of places that they will accept for all-year commission, and that would probably entirely consist of marinas. I asked my agent the other day if I could reduce my premiums by cutting down my cruising range and taking off my all-year season but he said that neither would make any difference since Titchmarsh was on their list of approved year-round moorings. I think that if you want to keep going, which can be a good idea, then you are probably going to have to pay for it.

 

[Major_Clanger]

Don't allow yourself to be held to ransom - change your insurance company. I use Insure4boats who seem good.

You'll find that nearly all moorings are removed over winter from Aldeburgh and above but I think they stay in at Orford.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

It's generally the case that insurers will only insure moorings for what they regard as the sailing season - i.e. 1 April - 31st September. There may be exceptions, but expect to pay!

 

[LittleSister]

It is not particular to the Alde. As others have said, most insurers avoid insuring boats on most moorings during the winter because of the more severe weather and the greater likelihood of the boat being damaged, sinking, coming adrift from the mooring, or the mooring itself dragging.

Your choices are to find an insurer who will cover you on your mooring over the winter (a higher premium is likely); move your boat to a marina during the winter (most have reduced prices during the winter months, but are still relatively expensive); or to a more sheltered mooring acceptable to an insurer during the winter; or ashore during the winter.

 

[PeterBoater]

Suffolk Yacht Harbour's Winter pontoon berth rate is cheaper than their Summer swinging mooring rate.

 

[Seashoreman]

We're trying to get insurance for our 24-footer (chiefly for the 3rd party) but the insurance company insists that she can only be kept on the river between 30 May and 1st November, and then must be moved ashore or to another location. I suspect it's because moorings are officially allowed on the Alde only for 6 months of the year, after which it's given up for the birds. But lots of yachts are moored on the river outside this period. Are there any Aldeburgh-ites around who can offer some advice? We hardly want to be restricted to a 6 month season. Cheers!

Indeed I moor at Slaughden, River Alde and have done for decades. Most of the moorings are brought up for inspection and repair in November and laid in March. There is a different system in Orford, but most boats come out for the winter months.
I don't change my insurance companies much but they generally insure me Fully Comp from 1st April to 30th October ( 7 months). This generally coincides with British Summer Time and come the end of October, unless you are doing club racing, I personally find the short days and low temperatures. enough to call it the end of the season. The sunsets at about 4:00pm and there are no lit marks on the river and the channel can be narrow depending on tides. Also the bouys at the mouth of the Ore are taken up at about the same time which can make leaving and entering tricky in foul conditions. The insurance continues through the winter months for yard storage, transport and etc.
There is nothing official or 'allowed' regarding moorings, they are laid and maintained by two small businesses and there are a few privately owned, it is a little complex. But I think you will find very very few boats afloat after November. Even the work boats come out for a little care.
There are a couple of fishermen afloat in the winter but never 'lots'. This is from over 40 years experience.
Try Navigators & General , I would estimate around £120 fully comp for the season.
I am quite happy to share any information if I can help.

 

[oilybilge]

Many thanks for these replies. Good to know it's not just an Alde thing. That'll probably make it easier to find a willing insurer. Cheers