Sailing yacht insurance - solo sailing terms

[dunedin]

Been a few snippets on this in other posts (and also some from a few years back that may be out of date), but with all this Covid stuff etc it would be useful to know which insurers will currently give Comprehensive cover for solo sailing in UK & Ireland waters.

As a starter from my knowledge - Y Insurance - up to 18 hours (and it transpires, zero willingness to extend this even for experienced sailors - hence this post)

Other major companies?

 

[awol]

Topsail - 24 hours; Pants - no limit on my policy; any more?

 

[wully1]

Pants.....24\7\365....

 

[papaver]

Pantenius only cover singlehanded for passages of <100 miles and not overnight (on my policy, last time I looked in 2019, anyway ... must check if that's still the case)

 

[yotter]

MS Amlin, 17 or 18 hours or something like that.

 

[Sandy]

This is a topic close to my heart. Fewer and fewer insurance companies are willing to cover single handed sailing for more than 18 hours.

 

[Ningaloo]

I have recently been discussing this with regard to AZAB and Jester Baltimore Challenge. What have entrants to these events done regarding insurance?

 

[matt1]

Quite a few AZAB Entrants seem to have 3rd party cover and / or sometimes limited to x miles from UK or Azorean coasts, leaving a gap in the middle. It's certainly an active topic on the AZAB FB page where there's a lot of chatter about the difficulties of getting insurance. Whether the issue relates to the race nature of the event or the solo / distance aspect I'm unsure. It seems potential entrants are even struggling to get double handed cover, and I gather is part of the reason why they are uniquely allowing fully crewed entrants in 2023. (which for me defeats the object a bit)

My current insurers have an 18 hour limit but appear willing to give consideration to a one off extended passage, particularly if I "pre qualify" it with them first. Pants quoted for me without limit but it was over £1,800 so double my current premium. One of the things I always do is give them a summary of any overnight / solo passages I make (after the event) in the hope that I at least "have form" with them and give them the chance to register any objections ;-) (albeit retrospectively)

 

[[3889]]

I have recently been discussing this with regard to AZAB and Jester Baltimore Challenge. What have entrants to these events done regarding insurance?

Self insure would be my guess, as I do when I need to breach Y's 18 hour limit which, as the OP suggests is immovable. Not that it matters for future plans as Y have now sold out.

 

[Concerto]

I have a Navigators and General policy via the Westerly Owners Association and their limit is 24 hours singlehanded. I queried this and it would be for the expected sailing time to complete the passage, but if you went over due to weather conditions or gear breakage I would still be covered. I regularly sail for 16 to 18 hours and have to say towards the end I am getting pretty tired.

 

[wully1]

Pantenius only cover singlehanded for passages of <100 miles and not overnight (on my policy, last time I looked in 2019, anyway ... must check if that's still the case)

I was looking at the WOA/ Navigators and General but they were way toonwoolly about what was and wasn’t covered when single handing - but they were cheaper.
So back to Pants who I’ve been with for years - they take the risk on you and my terms haven’t changed for 20 odd years. But now you’ve made me paranoid so I’m off to double check.

BTW , how is the Hydrovane working? I’d love one for my Storm...

 

[Habebty]

GJW - 18 hours which is ok for Belgium and France.

 

[Gary Fox]

Self insure would be my guess, as I do when I need to breach Y's 18 hour limit which, as the OP suggests is immovable. Not that it matters for future plans as Y have now sold out.

Hi, when you write 'sold out', does that mean that the previously clear and simple terms will be completely altered? A pity and a PITA if so.
Another general question: My own renewal is imminent anyway, but I'm very curious about the legalities, if I had happened to renew with Y last week.
Would the underwriters be obliged to honour my contract, for the next 11 months, or would I possibly be subject to reduced cover!? Surely that wouldn't be fair?

 

[LadyInBed]

Pantenius only cover singlehanded for passages of <100 miles and not overnight (on my policy, last time I looked in 2019, anyway ... must check if that's still the case)

Not when I was with them until a couple of years back. I and others I know were covered solo for Biscay crossing.
As I've said on other threads, I changed to GJW who stipulated 18 hrs, but speaking to them, it turned out that that is 18 hrs without sleep, do a solo 24 hr passage and get your head down for a nap on route, or three days across Biscay taking naps, then that's ok!

 

[KompetentKrew]

I'm with Pants - when I signed up with them in 2019 I understood that the singlehanding was covered for periods of top to 18 hours, but I can find no mention of this in my 2020 renewal documents.

 

[[3889]]

Hi, when you write 'sold out', does that mean that the previously clear and simple terms will be completely altered? A pity and a PITA if so.
Another general question: My own renewal is imminent anyway, but I'm very curious about the legalities, if I had happened to renew with Y last week.
Would the underwriters be obliged to honour my contract, for the next 11 months, or would I possibly be subject to reduced cover!? Surely that wouldn't be fair?

Have you not had an email from Y explaining this? For some reason mine went into spam but luckily I scan the messages there before deleting them.

"Dear Mr ,

For personal reasons indirectly associated to my age I have decided to sell Y Yacht Insurance and Y Yacht Assurances France. The essential factor in selecting a purchaser has been to preserve and possibly even improve the service provided by the businesses I am proud to have created.

It will soon become public knowledge that the number of Insurers prepared to underwrite yachts has reduced dramatically. MS Amlin, previously Amlin, who we have supported exclusively for nine years, have sold the part of their organisation from whom our Binding Authority has been annually issued and it will not be renewed next year.

As a result of the above, Topsail Insurance Ltd., a well established marine insurance specialist since 1996, have purchased my companies, but it will be "business as usual" for Y Yacht Insurance and Y Yacht Assurance France customers under the new ownership. The Topsail shareholders have been complemented by two former senior MS Amlin managers, Ric De Cristofano and Nigel Hawkes.

I have successfully and happily worked with both Ric and Nigel for many years and our underwriting opinions are very similar. Furthermore, Topsail’s excellent connections with international underwriters will be essential in the future.

Most of you will have dealt with Claire Froggatt, who has been my second in command for nine years. I am pleased to confirm that she will be joining the Topsail team, along with Helen Webster and they will ensure a smooth transition.

I sincerely apologise for not informing you about this development earlier but the secrecy has been essential as a result of a signed "Non Disclosure Agreement."

I will miss you all but am confident that the service we have given will be enthusiastically continued thereby deserving your loyalty.

With very best wishes,

Barrie Sullivan "

 

[Jonny A]

Going through Coleman I'm currently covered for 24 hours (plus more if circumstances turn against me during a passage). But they're curiously reluctant to even let me see the terms of a policy they say they can offer that extends this.

 

[awol]

I'm with Pants - when I signed up with them in 2019 I understood that the singlehanding was covered for periods of top to 18 hours, but I can find no mention of this in my 2020 renewal documents.

If there was a restriction it would certainly be mentioned. Mine has no restriction or requirement for a level of manning. Should my boat suddenly grow to >24m they want to vet the skipper.

 

[Gary Fox]

Have you not had an email from Y explaining this? For some reason mine went into spam but luckily I scan the messages there before deleting them.

"Dear Mr ,

For personal reasons indirectly associated to my age I have decided to sell Y Yacht Insurance and Y Yacht Assurances France. The essential factor in selecting a purchaser has been to preserve and possibly even improve the service provided by the businesses I am proud to have created.

It will soon become public knowledge that the number of Insurers prepared to underwrite yachts has reduced dramatically. MS Amlin, previously Amlin, who we have supported exclusively for nine years, have sold the part of their organisation from whom our Binding Authority has been annually issued and it will not be renewed next year.

As a result of the above, Topsail Insurance Ltd., a well established marine insurance specialist since 1996, have purchased my companies, but it will be "business as usual" for Y Yacht Insurance and Y Yacht Assurance France customers under the new ownership. The Topsail shareholders have been complemented by two former senior MS Amlin managers, Ric De Cristofano and Nigel Hawkes.

I have successfully and happily worked with both Ric and Nigel for many years and our underwriting opinions are very similar. Furthermore, Topsail’s excellent connections with international underwriters will be essential in the future.

Most of you will have dealt with Claire Froggatt, who has been my second in command for nine years. I am pleased to confirm that she will be joining the Topsail team, along with Helen Webster and they will ensure a smooth transition.

I sincerely apologise for not informing you about this development earlier but the secrecy has been essential as a result of a signed "Non Disclosure Agreement."

I will miss you all but am confident that the service we have given will be enthusiastically continued thereby deserving your loyalty.

With very best wishes,

Barrie Sullivan "

Yes I got the email, thanks. I was wondering what is the contractual status of the jolly phrase, 'business as usual'!

 

[newtothis]

Yes I got the email, thanks. I was wondering what is the contractual status of the jolly phrase, 'business as usual'!

Business as usual is a contraction of the phrase 'the business, as usual, will put up prices and screw you over'.