Insurance - tell PBO your experiences

We've been insured through Bishop Skinner for ten years - RYA members get a discount.
We had a claim in our second year which was handled well, and since then have had a further no-claims discount each year.
We are happy.
 
We're just coming to the end of our first incident in over 30 insured years.
We're with Navigators and General (Eagle Star?) and received a call today to say the cheques would be sent by close of business.
The insurers were quick and efficient, the choice of surveyor excellent at a time when we were traumatised, so top marks there.
I am led to believe the more you do to minimalise damage/save the boat, the more favourably your claim will be looked at.
Not sure how much they'll want from me next year, as the claim was more than 50% of the insured value of the boat, but if I can afford it, I would re-insure with N&G.
 
I've always had insurance with GJW Direct. Their telephone staff are very helpful and understand about boats. Unfortunately I had a couple of large claims recently and GJW dealt with them very efficiently and paid in full. There was no hike in premiums the following year either which was great. I've also found that they don't raise their annual premiums excessively once you've been 'hooked'.
 
Andrew Brook said:
Hello all,

We're working on an insurance article for an upcoming issue of PBO and are looking to hear from people about their experiences.

For example, why did you choose your insurer? What is covered? Have you ever had any problems getting cover or getting a payout?

These questions are for starters, but feel free to let us know about anything that you think might be interesting or informative to a fellow reader.

Many thanks,

Andrew.
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Hi, First Mate and I were very fortunate and were able to purchase a boat for two thirds of what the particular models usually fetch. I insured it for what we paid. A fellow clubmember suggested that if the vessel was lost the insurance would not be enough to buy another one. He was right, of course. The insurance company would not consider raising the insured value. I took it to a higher level and they then said if I got an official valuation fron the UK importer they would play ball. this was done and we now have her insured for her replacement value-not that another one would be quite the same. A satisfactory result all round.
 
Another thumbs up for Nautical Insurance Services. £90 for an oldish 27 footer and includes a 16 fishing boat. Third party only. Never had a claim, but my pal has a Sadler 29 with them fully comp. and has had 2 lobster pot/P bracket claims recently which were dealt with to his satisfaction. Great firm!
Dave
 
Any attempts I have made to buy insurance on price failed miserably when I read the Ts&Cs. The cheap insurance may be fine if the boat lives in a marina and all that really matters is the £n,000,000 3rd party cover but restrictions like Elbe to Brest (Ireland is extra), no overnight sailing, no swinging mooring, no racing, no single-handed, no overnight anchoring (yes, really), no cover for water ingress damage, and on it goes are certainly no good for me. It's not like car insurance where comprehensive policies are much the same - anyone who buys boat insurance only on price is likely to get a nasty surprise if/when they claim.
I'm with Pantaenius because their standard cover almost matched my needs and a simple phone call met the rest at no extra cost. I've claimed and their claims department are a joy to deal with.
 
betterment

The 'betterment' clause in many policies seems to be a get out of jail free card for many insurance companies. I fell foul of this with craftinsure who thought that just painting over a bit of hull repair was acceptable. They now state clearly on their policy that any damage repaired may not restore the boat to its pre accident appearance. Dealing with them became somewhat combative, on their part not mine, they even said I had a cheap premium so shouldn't expect too much in the way of cover. I feel that you pay the premium and they try to wriggle out of paying. Even when I offered to have the damage independently surveyed, the insurer said they would only accept the views of their own surveyor. They are only interested in what they can get away with not paying.
 
awol said:
Any attempts I have made to buy insurance on price failed miserably when I read the Ts&Cs. The cheap insurance may be fine if the boat lives in a marina and all that really matters is the £n,000,000 3rd party cover but restrictions like Elbe to Brest (Ireland is extra), no overnight sailing, no swinging mooring, no racing, no single-handed, no overnight anchoring (yes, really), no cover for water ingress damage, and on it goes are certainly no good for me. It's not like car insurance where comprehensive policies are much the same - anyone who buys boat insurance only on price is likely to get a nasty surprise if/when they claim.
I'm with Pantaenius because their standard cover almost matched my needs and a simple phone call met the rest at no extra cost. I've claimed and their claims department are a joy to deal with.
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I change tomorrow to, Y Yacht Ins ( Barrie Sullivan - Ex Paentanius) from HKJ, price wasn't an issue just,got better cover & £25 cheaper, no survey req
 
Saga and once in with them they do not ask for repeat surveys every five years or whatever.
I have not claimed on my Marine Insurance but when I wrote off my car in the summer I had a cheque in my hand in little more than two weeks.
Its worth while noting that if you are on a mooring whether your own or a visitors its highly unlikely that the Insurance Company will pay up if it breaks as they will insist liability lies with the layer of the mooring who if kosha should have public liability insurance.
 
ffiill said:
Saga and once in with them they do not ask for repeat surveys every five years or whatever.
I have not claimed on my Marine Insurance but when I wrote off my car in the summer I had a cheque in my hand in little more than two weeks.
Its worth while noting that if you are on a mooring whether your own or a visitors its highly unlikely that the Insurance Company will pay up if it breaks as they will insist liability lies with the layer of the mooring who if kosha should have public liability insurance.
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have you read the saga marine policy
 
insurance - a happy customer

We are just in the process of working through an insurance claim.

Our boat was sitting in a remote loch during the new year storm and we lost the mast as a result of a failure in the rigging.

We then had some difficulties (caused by location rather than people) in getting the damage made safe and then the boat surveyed but since that has been resolved things are progressing really well.

We are with Craftinsure, have been for 10 years and this was our first claim. They were excellent, they had to pass our claim to the underwriters (Navigators and General) who also have been excellent. They appointed a surveyor who was thorough, professional and good to deal with and things are moving on well.

We would not hesitate in recommending either insurer, Murray Cormack Associates the surveyor or Mast and Rigging who have all been very helpful.

We are very relieved that we had read all the details in the policy (not something i have to admit i do with other insurance such as house) and we had kept our side of the bargain e.g. letting them know about survey, about location, replacing rigging etc

A stressful start has improved over time and we hope to be sailing in the first half of the season which is better than we dared hope!
 
ffiill said:
Saga and once in with them they do not ask for repeat surveys every five years or whatever.
I have not claimed on my Marine Insurance but when I wrote off my car in the summer I had a cheque in my hand in little more than two weeks.
Its worth while noting that if you are on a mooring whether your own or a visitors its highly unlikely that the Insurance Company will pay up if it breaks as they will insist liability lies with the layer of the mooring who if kosha should have public liability insurance.
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Got a quote from Saga for totally inadequate cover - they were not willing to give me the cover I wanted and seemed to have no concept of boats - have been getting Saga bumph ever since. Like Sailorman I urge you to read their policy carefully - of course, it may be exactly what you need.
 
We're with Towergate. Theirs was the most competitive, with no nasty "get-out" clauses. When we had an accident (hit whilst moored) claim settled promptly and with no fuss and no loss of NCB.
 
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