Most expensive insurance

[lezgar]

In November Yacht Monthly (page 6) you can read that MOTOR BOAT ACCIDENTS DRIVING UP YACHTING INSURANCE PREMIUNS FOR US ALL. The article say that power boat manufacturers told potencial buyers that "it's like driving a car", but isn't ...is much more difficult ... could you imagine that lorries could be driven without driven licence and for children? In the same magazine (page 17) say "any idiot with the money can buy the biggest y most powerful powerboat they can afford and set off with impunity". I dn't know if compulsory "motor boat driven licence" (like ICC) is the solution, but I know that I do not want to pay more for my insurance

 

[BarryD]

Also very true that any idiot can buy a sail boat and run down children with ease. Is this an attempt to win a radio by bringing up the old everyone should have a licence thread?

Barry D.

 

[claymore]

At a slight tangent - it is a complete nonsense that you can buy and drive a powerful motorboat without any form of competence test passed, had there been a compulsory scheme, the proposed ban of waterskiers/imposition of 10mph limit on Windermere may never have been suggested. Howver the antics of incompetents and their complete disregard for the safety of either themselves or other lake users looks like bringing in a very unfortunate piece of legislation which will have far reaching economic effects on a wide community. As I hold sailing qualifications, my insurers (Pantaenius) offer me a discount on my premium which helps. Naturally, the more water users there are, the more accidents there will be, the more the insurance premiums will increase etc. etc.etc.

 

[lezgar]

I already have

.

 

[Guest]

Re: already have what? - and That Text In Full!

IMHO driving a powerboat, or a sailboat, is great deal easier than driving a car. I do all of them. They're different. Children (mine anyway) can manage all but the car. Cars travel at much higher speeds in near-total congestion, requiring total and continual concentration. Cars kill people even the drivers don't make a mistake themselves. This very rarely happens with private pleasure boats, power or sail.

...and it sounds a somewhat slack piece of writing, doesn't it? - your direct quote from the said rag contains two very lazy clichés? After all, setting off with "Inpunity" (she's such a tart!) is surely one of the great attractions of boating?


I imagine that the full text, before sub editing is:

There were faces of disbelief all round as the shock news hit the streets today that insurance premiums are set to rocket following the disgraceful behaviour of slimy salesmen in the boating industry, once the pride of England and beloved by enthusiasts the world over. "It's like driving a car" - or so say the jonnie-come-lately sharp-suited shysters from more than one fat-cat powerboat manufacturer we could mention. Salty seadogs from far and wide are fuming with anger, as a steep hike in premiums is as sure to follow as night follows day. "Any idiot with the money can buy a powerboat and set off with inpunity!"

So wrote one lowly hack, desperate to fill the last few column-inches before the editor called time on laboured scribblings. "And what's your source?" bellowed the editor, frustrated after years of experience yet now , inhis twilight years, parked up in the backwater of minor-league minor-interest advert-laden magazines. "It always seems to please the readers if we take a swipe at motorboats" wimpered the young journalist, still wet behind the ears. "But we'll look like a bunch of idiots!" exploded the boss, who responsibilities rested heavily on his shoulders. Yet even as he spoke, the production assistant was standing at the door, smiling sweetly, signalling that it was time to wrap up another issue. With a heavy heart, they patched up their differences, gathered up the motley collection of recycled press releases and fading photographs, handed them to the voluptuous young female executive, and toddled off to the pub.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Do you believe everything you read in the press, be it boating or not? Apart from over15 years ago i have not made any claims on my insurance and yes i do have a motor boat. In fact I don't know any powerboat owner who has made a claim but I can think of a fair number of sailing people who have claimed, most of them through their own stupidity or carelesness. But then I guess that it works both ways but I wouldn't have thought of posting to pass blame on to the rag and stick brigade, it could happen to any of us.

 

[KevB]

If as you say (which I doubt) insurance for vessels is increasing due to motor boats, I would suggest it's because the motor boater is more thoughtful and tries to avoid the indiscriminate tacking in narrow channels of the sailing vessel at what ever cost. Resulting in the motor boat running aground ;¬)

 

[ChrisJ]

The trick, like almost any business, for insurance companies is to balance income with expenditure. So to understand whether premiums are rising tooo much is to compare the increase in the number of premiums (more boats), compared to the number of claims.
Every time I visit the marina, and see the same boats unused from one year to the next, I think "Thank goodness". More premiums paid, more marina fees paid, and no claims or usage of the water.

Chris