Navigators & General (Westerly Owners) Policy New Insurance Clause

[Graham376]

At risk of thread drift, General Accident still will not insure a car on winter wheels and tyres, even manufacturer supplied and recommended ones. Will only accept winter tyres on existing very wide rims - which is not factory approved and much less safe. So be warned that this madness still exists. Escalated but still not not resolved so had to cancel and move policy.

Car insurance is very different as undeclared changes from manufacturer's spec. such as wheels or body trims can invalidate insurance whereas it's normal practice with boats. One thought about the OP's insurance list - is a boat NOT registered on Part 1 or SSR, UK flagged? What about those who fly the Saltire instead, are they UK flagged?

 

[pvb]

What about those who fly the Saltire instead, are they UK flagged?

The saltire isn't an ensign.

 

[Graham376]

The saltire isn't an ensign.

OK but, what is the meaning in insurer's terms, of UK flagged? It seems a strange statement as an unregistered boat doesn't have a "nationality", in the UK it could be owned by anyone of any nationality.

 

[KompetentKrew]

Clearly written by someone who doesn't understand boats.

Give Y Yacht a call.

I found Pants much more pragmatic.

 

[neilf39]

Pants quoted me double what I pay now....

 

[JumbleDuck]

Adding shore power, or changing the sails ?

You think those, for example, are sensible clauses ?

Adding shore power inevitably increases the risks (fire, going off attached and damaging something, more toys inside) and I would expect any insurer to want to know. Likewise a change in sailplan - would you expect them to cover a megabucks parasailor when they thought only standard sails were fitted.

There really is nothing to get upset about here. They say that they if the boat has been significantly changed, they want to know. Big deal.

 

[Andrew_Trayfoot]

This is the 'clarification' I have had back from them:

"We refer to our telephone conversation dated 18th October.
The alterations that we need to know about are any that would be considered a material change to the vessel.
We confirm that any differences to the assumptions made in Statement of Fact 6 are subject to agreement with us and that the changes you have advised us of we would regard as ongoing maintenance and improvement

This insurance meets the demands and needs of those who wish to protect their Pleasure Craft, their possessions on board and legal liability relating to your ownership of the Pleasure Craft. Cover may be extended to include Marine Legal Protection cover."

 

[alan_d]

This is the 'clarification' I have had back from them:

"... The alterations that we need to know about are any that would be considered a material change to the vessel. ..."

A masterclass in how to respond to a question without conveying any meaning. I would ask them what, in this context, "material" might mean, and who would be doing the considering.

 

[peter gibbs]

There is a disclosure theme running through much of the retail insurance market that is clearly intended to give the underwriter unchallengable scope to deny a loss claim. If he needs it.

And when clarification is sought as to why these policy changes the response is usually along the lines of " well, we won't otherwise know to what degree you have contributed to the loss, sir, nor will we be able to properly assess the proper premium" I believe much of this is aimed at slowing the roundabout of switching policies every year.

On the bright side I detect that a reasonable stay with any reputable broker / insurer is likely to be rewarded with serious consideration of a claim, not resorting to wriggling escape clauses.

And in the retail marine market, I would have thought that investment and constant attention to the vessel's fitness was the sign of a good risk, so declare away my hearties, and make your insurer proud to have you on his books. Stick with the same insurer? Well, at least until the renewal premiums signal you're being taken for granted. A phone call will then usually get a "special discount just for you" response. You know how that goes...practice on your mobile service provider!

PWG

 

[langstonelayabout]

A masterclass in how to respond to a question without conveying any meaning. I would ask them what, in this context, "material" might mean, and who would be doing the considering.

Whilst it seems a little vague those of us that have been involved in the design, development and delivery of things that are aircraft, spacecraft, trains, nuclear stuff, etc, will understand this sort of thing as 'departures from the original design'.

In other words a question from your insurance company could sound like: 'OK, you've changed the layout of the backstay on your boat. Can you justify that it is as safe as the original design (from Jeanneau, say) so that we don't have to see the change as an increased risk and load your premium accordingly'.

If you can convince them of your capability to change your boat in a way that they consider remains safe, then everyone's happy. If you bodge it ('look, most of the strands went in the ferrule, OK?') then you deserve the risk and the consequences.