Which insurance companies allow DIY moorings?

[Kelpie]

For those of us with a mooring which is not provided by some outside body, what do you do about insurance? I've found that previous policies of mine had, buried in the small print, that the mooring had to be 'professionally maintained'. When pressed, the insurance company explained that they wanted to pass the buck to a contractor who was insured for the quality of their work.
I have complete confidence in my mooring gear as it is oversized for the boat, and the new shackles and swivel will be photographed before going in the water as proof that I am looking after the gear correctly.
I know some people manage to find insurance companies who will go along with such an arrangement- but to save me trawling through hours of small print, would you be able to tell me which ones?

TIA

 

[chewi]

I think the quadrant policy from Mercia marine allows it.

Mercia Marine (Underwriting) Ltd
First Floor
Christ Church Hall
Avenue Road
Malvern
Worcs
WR14 3AY

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) - Firm Reference Number 304948

Tel: 01684 564457
Fax: 01684 578532

 

[GrahamM376]

My Towergate policy just states "professionally laid mooring". Moorings were laid years ago by the sailing club but in general not maintained until they fail. I dived and replaced everything but the concrete block last summer, emailed insurers telling them what I had done and what spec of materials used and that the "professionally laid" concrete block and embedded steel hoop was in good order. They emailed me back, advising they were satisfied.

 

[tyce]

I have the same problem as you, I make my weight and lay my own gear and then maintain it. I spoke to GJW about it and they were happy to write it on my policy that they agree to all of the above, all at no extra cost. I do wonder how many people with boats and own moorings are unaware of the clause.

 

[Sandy]

I wonder what the reply to the question, "What does professional mean?", would be?

 

[sailorman]

I wonder what the reply to the question, "What does professional mean?", would be?

Competent would be better wording.
Our HM has been laying & supervising moorings for 70 yrs, he is not a Pro, but certainly competent

 

[chewi]

They added a clause about maintenance in Poole harbour a while back, asking that you provide some certficate, but at the start of the season there was no spec that the contractors knew they had to meet so they couldn't provide any certificate, just service it a they thought fit.
At the time there were two contractors, bbut within the year one retired and sold out to the other, so the new rule cretated a monopoly.

To avoid being fleeced by a monopoly I felt obliged to hand my private mooring over to the sailing club, and it is now maintained by myself and others under their regime. I cannot get it back in my name, it was a one way trip.

It was poorly thought out in my opinion, a sledgehammer approach , not targeted at those who did not adequately maintain their moorings

 

[C08]

Navigators & General did not ask any questions about my swinging and drying mooring at Beaumaris, although this was a few years ago. My current insurance is for a sailing club mooring and they have asked no questions about who laid the mooring and who maintains it. On the other hand if the boat broke away I think they would be asking those questions and having professional maintenance would leave them no room to avoid a claim of negligence or wriggle room!

 

[Kelpie]

I think the quadrant policy from Mercia marine allows it.

Mercia Marine (Underwriting) Ltd
First Floor
Christ Church Hall
Avenue Road
Malvern
Worcs
WR14 3AY

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) - Firm Reference Number 304948

Tel: 01684 564457
Fax: 01684 578532

It may do, but unfortunately they will not offer anything other an 3rd party insurance on a boat over 40yrs old.
I wonder what the basis for that is?

 

[chewi]

It may do, but unfortunately they will not offer anything other an 3rd party insurance on a boat over 40yrs old.
I wonder what the basis for that is?

bugger! in that case I've only got 10yrs to go with them!

 

[Tranona]

It may do, but unfortunately they will not offer anything other an 3rd party insurance on a boat over 40yrs old.
I wonder what the basis for that is?

Probably something to do with what they perceive as high risk in relation to the premium!

 

[Kelpie]

Probably something to do with what they perceive as high risk in relation to the premium!

Just curious as to why they discriminate. A 40yr old boat will almost certainly have had all of its major components replaced, certainly safety critical ones like through hulls, standing rigging, electrics etc. is there something inherently uninsurable about GRP once it gets beyond a certain age??

 

[Tranona]

Just curious as to why they discriminate. A 40yr old boat will almost certainly have had all of its major components replaced, certainly safety critical ones like through hulls, standing rigging, electrics etc. is there something inherently uninsurable about GRP once it gets beyond a certain age??

Doubt they will have any clear rational reason for their policy as other insurers are prepared to take such risks. They have probably just decided to limit the amount of all risk business and this is a way of doing it. That is why I used the word "perceive".

 

[chewi]

Doubt they will have any clear rational reason for their policy as other insurers are prepared to take such risks. They have probably just decided to limit the amount of all risk business and this is a way of doing it. That is why I used the word "perceive".

I suppose when the rule was set most boats > 40yrs might have been wooden.

 

[Tranona]

I suppose when the rule was set most boats > 40yrs might have been wooden.

I have no problem with insuring my 50 year old wooden boat with one of the major insurers, either when it was on a swinging mooring or in a club marina.

Insurers are more interested in customers like me who pay their premiums every year and never claim (well only 2 claims. one minor) in 40 years. They are much more choosy taking on new business, so try to exclude low value higher risk business.

 

[bert49uk]

Interesting point, our moorings here in ilfracombe consist of heavy harbour chains going across the harbour, which we have to attach our own rising chains and strops, fore and aft