Marine isurance brokers - are there any?

[TwoHooter]

Are there any genuine insurance brokers in the leisure marine market? None of the usual suspects are brokers, they all market their own policy.

 

[RichardS]

I'm with GJW who are one one the most well-known and I have always assumed that they are a broker.

Richard

 

[awol]

If a broker is the middleman between the insured and the underwriter then almost all are. If you want someone to trawl underwriters to find you the best deal, good luck!

 

[duncan99210]

I use Trafford‘s, who sell policies underwritten at Lloyd’s by a syndicate organised by Trafford’s. That’s the way I understand a broker to work: the broker acts as the middleman between the client and the underwriters. They’ll generally only sell policies that they’ve arranged and that only they have access to.
If you’re looking for some sort of independent insurance salesman, who’ll offer you a selection of policies from different underwriters and insurance companies then I’m not sure that one exists. Happy to be proved wrong though.

 

[UK-WOOZY]

GJW have always been excellent for me. i found an existing crack in my hull after getting it sandblasted, the crack was found to likeley be caused 3 years ago before i got the boat by the badly place supports. GJW paid for the repair work instantly.

 

[TwoHooter]

That’s the way I understand a broker to work: the broker acts as the middleman between the client and the underwriters. They’ll generally only sell policies that they’ve arranged and that only they have access to.
If you’re looking for some sort of independent insurance salesman, who’ll offer you a selection of policies from different underwriters and insurance companies then I’m not sure that one exists. Happy to be proved wrong though.

It must be my age. I have been buying insurance (including specialised insurance) for 53 years. When I started a proper insurance broker had access to all the underwriters in a particular field. They didn't write policies, the underwriters did. You discussed with your broker what cover you wanted, what excess you were happy with, they would ask a few questions, then go off and phone round the underwriters to obtain quotes. They then wrote a letter making a recommendation which 99 times out of a hundred you would accept, and that was that.
Nowadays it's easy to be a DIY broker and shop round for quotes, but to do a proper job you have to read every policy, not just the exclusions, and it's a freakin' nightmare. It used to be the broker's job. I can't find a broker, they are all just sales offices, selling policies which are their own, and every one is different.
Yet another thing making boating a chore as much as a pleasure.

 

[TwoHooter]

I suspect that GJW and Towergate are one and the same. The recorded announcement when you phone seems to be the same.

 

[MikeBz]

I've used Curtis Marine Insurance | Compare Boat Insurance Quote & Buy Online for about 15 years, always had good service (though I've never had to claim).

 

[Mudisox]

It is often when you need to claim that you find out the best.

 

[Jamie Dundee]

Porthcawl are brokers, I’m with them at the moment as GJW won’t insure my boat on its current mooring.
Boat Insurance, Yacht Insurance, Marine trade, Porthcawl, Jetski

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I use John Russell insurance, who are brokers dealing in a wide range of insurance products, but who have a marine department. Their URL is www.johnrussell.co.uk. I have never had a claim - but I've also never had to get a survey! They provide added value such as legal claims insurance, and so far I've been generally happy with their service.