Yacht insurance...that was lucky!

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dukes4monny

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I changed insurance companies this year from Towergate Mardon to GJWDirect.
No problems with Towergate Mardon but GJW gave me a very competetive quote.
I recently contacted GJW to extend the period on my mooring until the beginning of December which Towergate had previously done with no problem whatsoever........GJW refused point blank saying the latest I could stay on the mooring was the beginning of November.
I have to stay on my mooring until December when she is booked to come out at the local yard (tidal access is limited) so I cannot risk being uninsured for a month.............so I phoned Towergate Mardon for a quote for cover and they said "You didn't cancel your previous policy with us and you are still insured"....I thought that I had, but hey, it's actually worked in my favour for once!
Apparently dual insurance is not allowed so I am cancelling the GJW insurance, let's see whether they are forthcoming with a refund............

The moral of the story, not all insurance policies are the same.............check carefully before going for the cheapest quote!
 
I don't understand. GJW have always granted me extensions for moorings and single handed. They have made alterations to the excess, but never asked for additional premium, or refused point blank. Odd.
 
FullCircle said:
I don't understand. GJW have always granted me extensions for moorings and single handed. They have made alterations to the excess, but never asked for additional premium, or refused point blank. Odd.
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I found it very odd. I even suggested an increased excess for the 1 month period, but no.
 
dukes4monny said:
I changed insurance companies this year from Towergate Mardon to GJWDirect.
No problems with Towergate Mardon but GJW gave me a very competetive quote.
I recently contacted GJW to extend the period on my mooring until the beginning of December which Towergate had previously done with no problem whatsoever........GJW refused point blank saying the latest I could stay on the mooring was the beginning of November.
I have to stay on my mooring until December when she is booked to come out at the local yard (tidal access is limited) so I cannot risk being uninsured for a month.............so I phoned Towergate Mardon for a quote for cover and they said "You didn't cancel your previous policy with us and you are still insured"....I thought that I had, but hey, it's actually worked in my favour for once!
Apparently dual insurance is not allowed so I am cancelling the GJW insurance, let's see whether they are forthcoming with a refund............

The moral of the story, not all insurance policies are the same.............check carefully before going for the cheapest quote!
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Where is the mooring?

Navigators will cover some but not many, and they do this on the basis of knowledge of the area and historic claims experience, ie exposed moorings and how well the moorings are maintained. I am on Gostport boat yards Hardway moorings - no problem, but when I was at Hayling Island sailing club in Chichester Harbour, they didn't want to know, and in fact cited that they were unhappy with the moorings maintenance. They were right, as in the first storm the following year, an contessa 32 dragged the mooring I was on - I was 15 tons, so was pleased with my descision to listen to the Insurer, and go elsewhere.
 
They were right, as in the first storm the following year, an contessa 32 dragged the mooring I was on - I was 15 tons,
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So ... lets get this right ... you had a mooring (15 tons) and then moved off .. they then put a lighter boat on and it drags ... hmm - me thinks you buggered the mooring!! ;)
 
Chris_Robb said:
Where is the mooring?

Navigators will cover some but not many, and they do this on the basis of knowledge of the area and historic claims experience, ie exposed moorings and how well the moorings are maintained. I am on Gostport boat yards Hardway moorings - no problem, but when I was at Hayling Island sailing club in Chichester Harbour, they didn't want to know, and in fact cited that they were unhappy with the moorings maintenance. They were right, as in the first storm the following year, an contessa 32 dragged the mooring I was on - I was 15 tons, so was pleased with my descision to listen to the Insurer, and go elsewhere.
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My mooring is in Brixham outer harbour......they are owned and maintained by Torbay council. Funnily enough I did contact Navigators as well and they said they wouldn't cover it for any period in the winter.
It's strange how some will cover it and others apparently not.
Just a cautionary note to check fully what you are covered for.......
 
fireball said:
So ... lets get this right ... you had a mooring (15 tons) and then moved off .. they then put a lighter boat on and it drags ... hmm - me thinks you buggered the mooring!! ;)
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When the insurance company would not insure for November, I did some research. The bosun of the club - a certain Shiner Bright, told me that my mooring had not been maintained for at least 4 years. I asked for the maintenance schedules from the club, but they would not divilge them to me. (I understand that there may have been 2 claims by mooring holders agains the club) I then voted with my feet and left the club, which I had been a member of for 30 years. Had 3 years down in Plymouth - a real change of scenery is often what is needed anyway!

I suspect things are probably better now, but then it was a complete shambles!
 
dukes4monny said:
My mooring is in Brixham outer harbour......they are owned and maintained by Torbay council. Funnily enough I did contact Navigators as well and they said they wouldn't cover it for any period in the winter.
It's strange how some will cover it and others apparently not.
Just a cautionary note to check fully what you are covered for.......
Click to expand...

I believe that Brixham is notorius in a North Easter. I know that Navigators (my daughter used to work there) do look at the moorings concerned and there would be a good reason for them saying "computer says No"
 
FullCircle said:
I don't understand. GJW have always granted me extensions for moorings and single handed. They have made alterations to the excess, but never asked for additional premium, or refused point blank. Odd.
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John,
Have just had discussions with GJW re staying in for another month or 2.....No problems, just an extra £25.00 per month or no increase in premium but excess increased to £750....!!
 
Mudplugger said:
John,
Have just had discussions with GJW re staying in for another month or 2.....No problems, just an extra £25.00 per month or no increase in premium but excess increased to £750....!!
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As John said - Navigators had refused as well. I really don't see how you can compare an east coast situation with Brixham. It would therefore seem that as they accept you, they are not doing a point blank refusal but properly underwriting the risk, which I think they are perfectly entitled to do....
 
GJW let me change my policy to stay all year, with a doubling of excess and at extra no charge, but wanted £5 if I wanted a paper certificate. (East coast - River Crouch)
Guess they have changed their rules this year
 
Just a quick update, GJW have agreed to cancel the 'dual policy' from inception which is very good news.
Apart from not extending the 'in water' period, I have to say I was pleased with their service and their pricing was very competitive.

After all this hassle, I'm now thinking about changing to a different mooring location..........
 
Chris_Robb said:
change of scenery is often what is needed
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[Slight drift] - Yes, I had 15 years at Weymouth (Portland Harbour) now coming up to 10 years at Wareham, it totally rejuvenated me :) [/Slight drift]

Mooring in Portland Harbour was only one step better than mooring in open sea when a good SW or E wind blew. I used to go in in May and out at the end of Sept. I could get insured Apr to Oct but it was pushing your luck being in at either end of the period.

At Wareham I stay in all year - bliss :D
 
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