Marine Insurance ...

[sniffer]

... is it really a scam.

I'm insured through Towergate and never having made a marine insurance claim before was suprised to learn from them that marine insurance is different from car insurance. That is to say, despite being 100% the innocent party, my no claims and policy premium will be affected if I make a claim, thus making claiming far less likely than in say the automotive world.

I get that I will be able to recover my excess, quite rightly, but the knock on effect of increased premiums, over years going forward, I get to pay. Ludicrous.

 

[Portofino]

Never made a claim.
Why if you are “100 % “ innocent not using the other guys insurance?
Get him to fund the repair via his insurance.

 

[sniffer]

Never made a claim.
Why if you are “100 % “ innocent not using the other guys insurance?
Get him to fund the repair via his insurance.

Uhm. Never having made a claim before, I just assumed that I would claim through my insurance and they would do the necessary, just like the automotive world.

It makes sense NOT to claim through my insurance, having spoken to them. How do I claim via his insurance, other than getting him to claim?

 

[Northern Star]

I dumped towergate as they kept insisting on surveys and were also quite expensive, I also have never made a claim and have now taken my business elsewhere.

 

[Tranona]

Uhm. Never having made a claim before, I just assumed that I would claim through my insurance and they would do the necessary, just like the automotive world.

It makes sense NOT to claim through my insurance, having spoken to them. How do I claim via his insurance, other than getting him to claim?

Claims on your own insurance are governed by the insurance contract and that is not affected by who is to blame. The contract pays out if the claim is covered. If the damage was caused by a third party then your insurer will claim from them, or their insurer. Exactly the same as car insurance. The pricing of boat insurance does not include significant no claims discounts simply because the number of claims is low and unlike cars is rarely caused by "bad driving". My last claim was in 1987 and my "discount" is 20%, compared with my car insurance - similar (non) claim history of 70%. However I pay an additional premium to "protect" my discount. The structure of car insurance is designed to encourage good driving and penalise high claiming people because most car claims are the direct result if driver error, unlike boat insurance where most claims derive from weather related damage.

You can always claim on the third party direct if you can prove negligence, but your claim is made under the law of torts rather than contract and the principle is that the third party puts you back in the position you were in before the event. This is much more open than contract which can be a good or bad thing, but most commonly bad for the claimant because they have to argue their case and the third party insurer's objective is to minimise his cost. Areas that are open to dispute are important, such as determining the value of the boat in the event of a write off, or betterment when replacing major items. When you claim on your own insurance these things are defined in the contract so if your claim fits the terms of the contract there is no argument. You submit your claim with evidence and the insurer pays out.

So, preference is to claim on your own insurance - that is what you pay premiums for and let them deal with the third party. You may well find you premium increases because you made a claim, but if it is a large claim that is a small price to pay for getting your boat fixed without hassle.

This does not mean there will not be disputes with this approach, but these arise mainly about whether the claim is covered by the terms of the contract and most contracts from major insurers are pretty comprehensive - and Towergate is one of the best in this respect.

 

[sniffer]

This is not a big claim and if it was my fault I would simply pay myself.

This is a case of being 'hit' whilst securely tied up in my marina berth. Had I not been aboard, I suspect the other party would not have seen fit to cough up. Fortunately I was there, as were othe independent witnesses.

 

[tico]

Perhaps the clue is 'No Claims' rather than 'No Blame'

 

[sniffer]

Perhaps the clue is 'No Claims' rather than 'No Blame'

Thanks for that really really helpful comment. Genius!

 

[Corona Mia]

Don’t you have a ‘Marina Benefits’ clause in your policy?

Mine says that there will be no deduction for excess or loss of no-claims bonus…..for damage or theft whilst the craft is berthed in a recognised Marina.

Years ago when we were based in a UK Marina someone nicked my tender and outboard. More recently there was a fire that started on a boat moored on my Pontoon, but opposite my boat. In both cases my insurers paid out promptly with no ‘excess’ or loss of ‘no claims’.

 

[Portofino]

How communicative was the other guy , since you were there , in terms of exchanging his ins details and others btw to you ?
As a back stop you can see / access his last valid ins cert at the marina office ,they usually hold copies .
Also start gathering witness details .

Normally the other guy comes round all apologetic, its at that moment grab his ins details and ply the conversation he phones his claims Dept immediately…..the paper work ( e mails ) to follow .
Later that day the guy comes round ( time to go shopping ) and drops a bottle of wine off , saying it’s all done the claims in his ins system …blah blah and all apologetic and embarrassed etc .

Thats what should happen .I know i live in a bubble , but how far out I am I ?

 

[Portofino]

Don’t you have a ‘Marina Benefits’ clause in your policy?

Mine says that there will be no deduction for excess or loss of no-claims bonus…..for damage or theft whilst the craft is berthed in a recognised Marina.

Years ago when we were based in a UK Marina someone nicked my tender and outboard. More recently there was a fire that started on a boat moored on my Pontoon, but opposite my boat. In both cases my insurers paid out promptly with no ‘excess’ or loss of ‘no claims’.

He s worried about future loading because he’s made a claim .
Also when he re applies to another Co he has to tick the “ have you made a claim in ( x) yrs box .”
Then blot his copy book , sorry I mean the proposal form with the story.

 

[sniffer]

He s worried about future loading because he’s made a claim .
Also when he re applies to another Co he has to tick the “ have you made a claim in ( x) yrs box .”
Then blot his copy book , sorry I mean the proposal form with the story.

This.

Had I had previous experiene of marine insurance I would have played things differently. I just try to be amicable and keep costs to a minimum for all concerned. Like not getting the boat lifted until it's due at the end of the season etc.

 

[Tranona]

This is not a big claim and if it was my fault I would simply pay myself.

This is a case of being 'hit' whilst securely tied up in my marina berth. Had I not been aboard, I suspect the other party would not have seen fit to cough up. Fortunately I was there, as were othe independent witnesses.

In this case it is clear cut so send the other party the bill and let him claim on his insurance it pay it himself.

My advice would have been different earlier with this information. The facts will dictate which is the better strategy. If a claim is large and potentially in dispute is when you consider claiming on your own insurance. When it is clear cut and the other party admits fault then keep it simple and send him the bill.

 

[petem]

... is it really a scam.

I'm insured through Towergate and never having made a marine insurance claim before was suprised to learn from them that marine insurance is different from car insurance. That is to say, despite being 100% the innocent party, my no claims and policy premium will be affected if I make a claim, thus making claiming far less likely than in say the automotive world.

I get that I will be able to recover my excess, quite rightly, but the knock on effect of increased premiums, over years going forward, I get to pay. Ludicrous.

If you have a non fault car insurance claim, it might not affect your NCB but it is likely to affect your future premiums.