sailing is a safe sport.

[moondancer]

In a quiete moment I just looked up the fatal accident statistics for Sailing on the Rospa site. Apparently, in 2005 there were 6 coastal and 7 offshore fatal accidents associated with sailing.

Given the participation that doesn't seem a lot, certainly not compared to horse riding. Makes you think that the RYA should be more assertive in fending off all the do-gooders wanting to regulate various aspects of our hobby.

 

[Angele]

Doesn't seem to reconcile with the cost of travel insurance (by which I am excluding insurance of the boat itself).

I have an annual travel insurance policy that includes wintersports (i.e. skiing). However, that doesn't cover sailing. Even coastal sailing would require an additional premium under this policy. Sailing "out of sight of land" (which, let's be honest, can happen even on a short coastal hop) would be even more expensive.

I wonder how the accident rates for skiing compare and whether they can justify the extra premium rates.

I guess, in defence of the insurance companies, the premium is not simply a reflection of the frequency of injuries. Costs of repatriation also need to be taken into account. If the insurance companies were billed by the emergency services that might make sense. However, in the UK at least, that is not the case (so far as I am aware).

 

[Malish]

sailing out of sight of land is somewhat different on the East Coast (Essex + Suffolk) to, say, the West Coast of Scotland - is this really the insurance definition?

 

[Twister_Ken]

You can sail out of sight of land on the Solent if the mist comes down.

 

[Tranona]

Think it has always been the case that the RYA has used the safety argument strongly, most recently in opposition to the drinking legislation and for a long time to resist tests and licences for sailing.

However, it is difficult to counter what gets into the public's consciousness when prime time television dramatises rescues and RNLI are constantly banging the danger drum to raise money!

 

[bobgarrett]

I think you should get your personal insurance elsewhere! Mine did not mention sailing but when I asked they confirmed it was included. Skiing, now that's dangerous!

 

[Rum_Pirate]

Because they SAID it was included does not mean it was.

Agents have no authority to advise what is included or excluded unless it is specifically so stated.
Their word will NOT help you in the event of a claim.

 

[sky7liner]

I checked with my annual travel insurance some time ago and the company said I was covered provided I was no more than 15NM from the UK coast. The current insurance company says exactly the opposite and I'm only covered if I'm technically abroad (which excludes the CI).

 

[andymcp]

We found the limitations of our travel insurance when we went to flotilla in Greece. Worldwide travel insurance provided by bank as part of personal account package, but a 5 mile from shore limit applies. As we can't guarantee that would always be the case, we had to take out holiday insurance specifically geared to cover all distances. I thought it interesting that there is no consideration of location - if I sail round the Ionian it is treated the same way as if I go through the Corryvreckan at spring tides the wrong way.....the Ionian could leave me uninsured, whereas Jura and Scarba's proximity would leave me covered very nicely, thanks.

 

[jimi]

Never found sailing an issue with travel insurance ... however try and get insured for rockclimbing abroad .. different kettle of fish!

 

[Angele]

[ QUOTE ]
Never found sailing an issue with travel insurance ... however try and get insured for rockclimbing abroad .. different kettle of fish!

[/ QUOTE ]
Ah! But have you ever had to make a claim under your policy when the loss occurred whilst sailing? That is the real test.