Liability Insurance

[aod]

Had a commercial charter last weekend and as I do this quite a lot I thought to myself! What the hell, I will shell out and get some public Liability Insurance. You never know these days and it's only a matter of time before some poor sod gets hung drawn and quartered because some-one was stupid and decide to earn a few bob out of their own stupidity.

Problem is: There isn't any !

No-one does it for commercial yacht skippers !

Everyone (including the RYA whom I did contact) agree that Public Liability Insurance should be available for commercial freelance skippers only there is none to be had.

Nope nuffink !

I rang Pantaenius and they put me on to Towergate who then put me on to WG who then put me on to another broker who then told me that there was none available and to ring the RYA.

I rang the RYA and spoke to the top bod in legal and he confirmed that there was none to be had !

The only advice I could get was for private freelance skippers to insist on being a named driver by the charter company or on a private policy.

Thus be warned !

He appears riding a white horse and his name was richbastard nowinnofee from wealthytown and he holds a sheet of paper with your name on it and with a sly Uriah Heap kind of grin he rubs his hands with glee!

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[BrendanS]

See some of the posts from past. Probably about a year ago

Public liability insurance is a huge issue to many small companies, as cost has increased dramatically. Many companies who used to insure RYA affiliated clubs are asking searching questions and are looking at their websites to see how safety conscience they are. Many RYA affiliated clubs have had their insurance turned down, others have been asked for big increases in premiums. Nearly all have been asked to fill in forms asking for information about activities.

If you obtain even a quote you are doing well. Will talk offline if you need more info



<hr width=100% size=1>Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabris, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

 

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

I was thinking about this subject a few weeks ago after reading in PBO or YM that one reason policies are going up is because 3rd party liability is due to rise from the capped rate of £200,000 to over £1M or sumthink similar.

Well since my policy has a 3rd party liability of £3M but is obviously capped presently for the insurance company to £200,000 is it not a damn cheek and fraudulent to apply a surcharge when a change in capping is still within my policies quoted liability payout figure.

Or have I missed the point.....

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

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[cliff]

I am probably wrong but, I understood the £200,000 capping was for personal injury claims not for 3rd party in general. That is, if you come steaming into your berth and smack the pontoon causing someone to say fall and break their leg, their claim is limited to £200,000 but if you smack a mega yacht and knock a wee hole in it their repair bill is covered up to the limit of your policy for third party cover. This is an attempt to stop these horrendous claims for the like of sprained ankles etc (pain and suffering, mental trauma, loss of freedom etc.) costing millions.

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Stay put when I hit you!

 

[aod]

Missed the Point

This post wasn't about the insurance industry as a whole, we know that's an expensive mess.

It's about the fact that it doesn't exist for freelance commercial skippers as it does for plumbers, electricians, chimney sweeps or whatever.

Point being that ALL commercial skippers are currently extremely vunerable and without Public Liability Insurance everything you own is in play!

The other side of the coin is that commercial yacht skippers are paid well below minimum wage. £67 per day Sunsail. £75 per day Commodore, Fairview etc etc.

However, Sunsail charge their clients £120 +vat, Fairview £150 +vat etc etc for that same skipper!

A typical day skipper course day would start at 7am and finish about 10pm and it's bloody hard work.

If skippers cannot get Public Liability Insurance other than by working for a charter company it affects their earning potential because freelance skippers earn more money but currently are extremely exposed to litigation.

Thus the incentive is to work for bugger all for a charter company because you can be included on their policy!

That's my point !

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[BrendanS]

Re: Missed the Point

the point is that it's been priced out of existence for many, including plumbers, electricians etc....everyone is finding it hard to get. Just off to a club committee meeting, and one of agenda items is whether we pay for or need it, as premium has jumped through roof.....and news from RYA is that we are fortunate as 125 of the 800 clubs insured through the RYA scheme have been turned down this year, and have effectively no insurance.

Yes agree it's a specific issue for you and other freelance commercial skippers, but it has to be considered against the larger perspective that PLI is being withdrawn or priced out of existence for many others as well, which explains why it's not easily available

<hr width=100% size=1>Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabris, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

 

[aod]

Point Taken

I see what you mean and I can only agree how dire it's got.

I heard recently that the Gov't are making moves to exclude the NHS and local authorities from negligence litigation because it's costing them so much.

I can feel a letter coming on to Emperor Blair !



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