Warning to Topsail customers,,,

[petem]

Their latest policy has at least one new exclusion.

1 You are not covered for any claim arising:

1.7.5 single handed if Your Vessel is more than 10 meters in length unless is shown in Your Certificate of Insurance

This is not mentioned in the "Product Information Document" that is sent with the quote and could have had disastrous consequences for us. Time to switch insurer.

 

[markc]

I had similar on my policy, through HKJ and I just asked them to remove it due to my experience. They did, no charge.

 

[Scubadoo]

Key word "unless" implies it can be changed, had similar on a policy and was removed when asked, if not then consider other insurers.

 

[bluetooth]

Key word "unless" implies it can be changed, had similar on a policy and was removed when asked, if not then consider other insurers.

Thx for info Pete. Note made for my renewal time

 

[Momac]

Their latest policy has at least one new exclusion.

1 You are not covered for any claim arising:

1.7.5 single handed if Your Vessel is more than 10 meters in length unless is shown in Your Certificate of Insurance

This is not mentioned in the "Product Information Document" that is sent with the quote and could have had disastrous consequences for us. Time to switch insurer.

Topsoil never offered me one of their own policies. I didn't even realise they acted as insurer an thought they were just brokers.
I dare say many policies have similar wording. Well done for reading the policy which most people do not.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Mine’s HKJ and it allows up to 18 hours continuous single handing. That’s identical to the policy offered by Topsail. Maybe UK differs from Med?

 

[petem]

Mine’s HKJ and it allows up to 18 hours continuous single handing. That’s identical to the policy offered by Topsail. Maybe UK differs from Med?

That's the thing. The Topsail "Product Information Document" (which is attached to the quote) says that single handing is limited to a maximum of 24 hours. It's only when you click the link and look at the policy terms (page 18 IIRC) that the max 10m restriction is stated.

Personally, with some professional experience in this area, Topsail are failing in their Customer Duty / FCA obligations by not highlighting new exclusions.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Agree. Which underwriter is it? Topsail offered me HKJ, the same as I bought through HKJ themselves, but at a higher price....

 

[petem]

Agree. Which underwriter is it? Topsail offered me HKJ, the same as I bought through HKJ themselves, but at a higher price....

Provided by: Navigators & General is a trading name of Geo Underwriting Services Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA Register Number 308400. Registered Office: 2 Minster Court, Mincing Lane, London EC3R 7PD. Registered in England 4070987.

Underwritten by HCC International Insurance Company plc (‘HCCII’), trading as Tokio Marine HCC. HCCII is registered in England and Wales (Company Reg No:01575839) with registered office at 1 Aldgate, London EC3N 1RE. HCCII is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority (Firm Registration Number 202655).

 

[petem]

This is why it's so misleading. This is the "Product Information Document". It states that single handing is a benefit but it's not actually covered if the vessel is over 10m!

 

[roa312]

I think its crazy that insurance providers are even allowed to make such material changes to policies without clearly flagging it - in this case without clear flagging in the product information document. I get that technically the "full policy" is what governs the contract, but I don't think its reasonable for ask from ordinary retail customers to catch something like this.
I understand that regulators talk about "fair presentation" etc., but in practice it feels like the burden is still on the individuals to catch these things, and potentially with serious consequences if they don’t. Personally I would welcome much better regulation of the insurance industry for retail customers - and not just in insurance for boats btw!

 

[Sticky Fingers]

This is why it's so misleading. This is the "Product Information Document". It states that single handing is a benefit but it's not actually covered if the vessel is over 10m!

I can't believe that Topsail or the other involved parties have deliberately chosen to make this confusion. Did you ask for clarification? In their shoes I'd redraft the IPID so it's uncompromisingly clear (which is the point of it).

 

[petem]

I can't believe that Topsail or the other involved parties have deliberately chosen to make this confusion. Did you ask for clarification? In their shoes I'd redraft the IPID so it's uncompromisingly clear (which is the point of it).

It's probably not deliberate but they shouldn't make mistakes like that.

Anyhow, I've gone with another company this year who offer a better policy at a lower price.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

It's probably not deliberate but they shouldn't make mistakes like that.

Anyhow, I've gone with another company this year who offer a better policy at a lower price.

Agreed. I’ve also not renewed with TS.

 

[SC35]

GJW allow single handed operation.
But then they have a ridiculous “Heavy Weather” exclusion clause.
So if I am hit by an unexpected squall and I sink … I am not covered? Am I reading this correctly?

 

[SaltIre]

GJW allow single handed operation.
But then they have a ridiculous “Heavy Weather” exclusion clause.
So if I am hit by an unexpected squall and I sink … I am not covered? Am I reading this correctly?

View attachment 196230

Ask them and let us know.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Interesting that they don’t define ‘heavy weather’, so you’d be free to contest it. But another ludicrous exemption.

 

[petem]

Interesting that they don’t define ‘heavy weather’, so you’d be free to contest it. But another ludicrous exemption.

We're extremely "fair weather" boaters with no chance the weather could be described as "heavy"

 

[benjenbav]

This is why it's so misleading. This is the "Product Information Document". It states that single handing is a benefit but it's not actually covered if the vessel is over 10m!

I wonder if the IPID is written by a different person than the policy? So that some bright spark has added in the 10m limit and the IPID has not been updated.

What did the previous year’s policy say about the topic?

It’s awkward for existing customers with >10m craft who might reasonably expect renewal terms to be ‘as before’ save where their attention had been drawn to a change.

 

[Boathook]

GJW allow single handed operation.
But then they have a ridiculous “Heavy Weather” exclusion clause.
So if I am hit by an unexpected squall and I sink … I am not covered? Am I reading this correctly?

View attachment 196230

Trying to get my head round the wording, but it seems vessels over 3 years old aren't covered or if they do more than 17 knots.