Recommended insurers

[bbg]

Any recommendations?

Or who I should stay away from?

Boat registered in France, typical sailing area Brittany. Lots of singlehanding.

 

[oleander2]

Navigators and General I find are absolutely brilliant.

 

[Spyro]

[ QUOTE ]
Navigators and General I find are absolutely brilliant.

[/ QUOTE ]
And almost twice the cost of GJW on the same boat

 

[ebbtide]

The RYA have recommendations.
I have had excellent service from Bishop Skinner, including singlehanded cover at night!

 

[robp]

[ QUOTE ]


Or who I should stay away from?


[/ QUOTE ]

I've never forgiven Haven Knox Johnston - now seems to be Haven KJ - for the shabby way they treated me when their insured's negligence caused me losses.

 

[derekgillard]

I use GJW who were first class when I had a claim.

Del Buoy

 

[Athene V30]

Very satisfied with GJW here too and how they have sorted my claim out.

Did look at Bishop Skinner at end of last season but they were more expensive for same cover.

 

[ebbtide]

Assuming you find the cover you require - try shopping around with the RYA Yachtmaster requirement for 4 x 60NM passages (entails night sailing) plus a commitment to singlehanding, and you'll be surprised at how many of the cheap insurers refuse you - the real proof of the pudding is how promptly and fully a claim is handled, not the cost of the premium.
Sadly it can be a painful experience!

 

[bbg]

I fear you're right. I am bracing myself for the prospect of having two choices - sailing without insurance, or paying a high premium.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Maybe try a few French insurers?

 

[Refueler]

I've just insured with Nautima in Germany. No hassle - all done via e-mail. No surveys, no silly stuff.

Premium was a surprise - lower than expected. Cruising range is negotiable and you can ask for special areas etc.

I couldn't get any UK based insurer to insure my UK boat in Latvia / Baltic. If they did - such as Pants - the premium was crazy and north limit was restrictive and non-negotiable.

If you want to ask Nautima for a quote ... PM me and I'll pass contact details. I have no commercial connection - just a very happy customer. There is no reason you HAVE to use a UK based Insurer .... it is EU now !
(Previously I was with KC Powell when boat was in UK - very pleased with them, but of course they sold out ....)

 

[Topcat47]

I endorse GJW, but will they insure a french yacht?

 

[Athene V30]

To clarify, GJW insure me for singlehanded sailing - Brest to the Elbe. Night sailing when singlehanded does have a double excess.

 

[noelex]

Just had a claim against Pantanius (Germany) following a lightening strike. They were very good to deal with and paid up for new equipment promptly. Recomended.

 

[jerryat]

[ QUOTE ]
The RYA have recommendations.
I have had excellent service from Bishop Skinner, including singlehanded cover at night!

[/ QUOTE ]

Seconded!!! Great company, especially when you DO have a claim! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Refueler]

[ QUOTE ]
Just had a claim against Pantanius (Germany) following a lightening strike. They were very good to deal with and paid up for new equipment promptly. Recomended.

[/ QUOTE ]

Considering the quote they gave that was approximately DOUBLE the one I rec'd from German outfit ( didn't seem to matter to Pants that I queried why they quoted when area covered was NOT as requested...) - they ought to pay out promptly !

There's sensible quote and relevant. Two items that seemed to be missing in quotation I rec'd from them.

 

[Tranona]

Bishop Skinner. Insure my Bavaria in Greece. No restrictions on singlehanding.

 

[tommo1234]

GJW were excellent following the loss of my Sadler 290 in the fire at Hillyards. Don't just go on price.

 

[Refueler]

Just to be correct - none of the Co's mentioned actually PAY the claim - they are Brokers who promote and provide communication between you and the Underwriters. Underwriters do not wish to have direct contact with clients (us) for very good reason - they would be inundated with questions etc.
The question then is if the premium paid to a Broker - who then passes majority of it to Underwriter - is he interested in handling claims communications for you as he should. I know of one co. in particular that was extremely reluctant to enter into this phase of the game. Unfortunately there's a 'gagging instruction' to me about the company and I cannot reveal. But let it be said that they stepped back refusing to deal the claim, called me a liar, referred me to Underwriter direct. Underwriter refused to communicate other than by fax.

I WON in the end ... and moved onto other Insurance Brokers - Giles - who listened and provided excellent cover. Later purely for premium considerations I changed to KC Powell - who sadly are no more.

 

[bbg]

Thanks to all who replied. In the end, my particular circumstances drove me to a French insurer.