Craftinsure (now Ripe) Alternatives

[chipko]

Realise ‘what insurance’ threads pop up from time to time but thought I’d start a newie, so apologies in advance to any ‘try the search button’ warriors out there.

We’ve insured our boats with Craftinsure over the last dozen or more years with one claim in this period which I felt was handled fairly, so no complaints.

Unfortunately Craftinsure are now part of Ripe Insurance Services and two of our policies are due for renewal in April. Our hard boat premium (speedboat category) has increased by 15% and our mini rib (other small boat category) up a whopping 41% There are also some small print changes making cover less attractive.

Definitely time for a change so hoping the collective can recommend their favoured insurers I can get some quotes from. We’ve three boats to insure, currently on separate policies, but not overt to a multi craft policy.

I know there are more than a few of us on here currently with Craftinsure so hopefully some alternative recommendations will also be of interest to others.

[Fenlander]

Yes going to need a bit of a read through. The basic quote for my SIB seems about the same if I go for the £100 excess but of course I'll have to email re the uplift for left unattended on tidal waters.

Thought I might go third party only but oddly, unless I've made a mistake, that's £30 more than the theft/damage policy including third party.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Yes going to need a bit of a read through. The basic quote for my SIB seems about the same if I go for the £100 excess but of course I'll have to email re the uplift for left unattended on tidal waters.

Thought I might go third party only but oddly, unless I've made a mistake, that's £30 more than the theft/damage policy including third party.

It'll be interesting to see what everyone comes up with. I'm insured with Craftinsure with the same uplift for leaving on unattended tidal water. It's not due until July so I have a bit of time to sort it out.

[Orwell boy]

Running with craftinsure this year for 2 ribs on seperate policys .one @ 30k (£500 ex ) was very reasonable @ £216 and as i insured on 18/12/24 the marina cover lost and commented on another post is STill on my policy ,the second is up for renewal june this year and that was pricey last year ,12k insured with £300 excess for £159 ,again marina cover still included . (my new figures look up 55% and 35% )
Have recently purchased Dutch trailer and wanted to raise 30K to 40k but was told could not adjust cover without going onto the new ripe system ,so declined ,so hoping to maybe be able to insure trailer separate somehow (any ideas )
Would appear both my policies are underwritten by Zurich and neither have dropped into the new system .....Yet
Been insuring boats for 30 years and never had a claim ,in the later years i have tended to flip between GJW and craftinsure ,usually for only a few pounds ,so hopefully GJW will be the way to go for me

[cdbxyz]

I just moved from Craftinsure to Porthcawl who were very responsive and accommodating of specific circumstances, worth getting a quote.

[Max...]

Is it still the same team at Craftinsure behind the name change? Natasha etc? They have always been incredibly flexible and accommodating with very short term extensions with tidal moorings (Dart) etc and very fair in cancellations/refund etc.

[spartacus]

Watching this with interest. Have been with craftinsure for 19 years, no claims. They have been very accommodating in the respect of holidays and leaving the boat in a sheltered harbour, for an additional premium. Not due again until July. Like everything costs have gone up, but I’ll shop around if it all gets daft.

[lakelandterrier]

I've moved round, over the years, but generally I've found Porthcawl competitive on price, efficient and flexible - I think the premium this year is pretty much the same as last year.

Not made a claim (touch wood) so can't comment on how they handle rhat side - if the worst happens, but they seem to have a good reputation. No harm is asking for a quote.

LT

[Froglet]

I've only just allowed the renewal to go through this week. There was other stuff on my mind and with the premium for the sib being quite low it only seemed like a few quid more.

However, looking at the numbers it does indeed seem like a 42% increase in my case. It sounds a lot more when you put it like that.

I'll keep it in mind for next year.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Froglet

I've only just allowed the renewal to go through this week. There was other stuff on my mind and with the premium for the sib being quite low it only seemed like a few quid more.

However, looking at the numbers it does indeed seem like a 42% increase in my case. It sounds a lot more when you put it like that.

I'll keep it in mind for next year.

There should be a cooling off period of 14 days, if you want to act this year.

[Max...]

I took the liberty of emailing Natasha at CI to ask for her comments - received a quite detailed and reasonably reassuring reply but I think it was quite likely shared to me by mistake (!) and was intended for internal use only so I won't share in public until they reply it is OK to do so.

[Max...]

I have the OK to share from Natasha, so quoted below word for word:

Here are my thoughts having looked at the forum comments;

First follower is linking the renewal increases with the move to RIPE (and mentions a 41% increase for his small boat – which will be the fee and is a RIPE factor). Guess we need to state that unfortunately it has been necessary to apply some increases this year mainly as a result of higher claims costs but that we believe our premiums and terms should still prove competitive. Further feedback is welcome.


Another (Max) is supportive but is asking if the same team (including specific reference to you) is in place – needs reassuring that you and other key Craftinsure employees are still very much part of the expanded RIPE team dealing with boat insurance products.


There are comments regarding flexibility and in particular, extensions for boats to be left afloat on moorings at an additional charge; we need to confirm that there are no changes in the level of cover under the new Craftinsure RIPE policies (just need to check!) and that we can still provide extensions to meet specific requirements, including for whilst boats are left unattended afloat beyond cover automatically included.


Again, it’s the big increase for SIBs/other small boats that seem to be prompting adverse comments and the suggestion to shop around. If we can establish that we are still competitive despite the fee (including against Insure4Boats), the increase will be a short-term issue and should not affect retention too badly. But from the last data I’ve seen, we do appear to be losing some Small Boat and Dinghy business. I believe the fee/minimum premiums issue is still being reviewed.


Porthcawl Insurance is mentioned – they have long established contacts with RIB dealers and the RIB community, including diving clubs I believe. Quite likely that some will look to them for alternative quotes – not sure how competitive they are or who they use. Suspect Haven Knox Johnson. Another company mentioned is GJW!


Hope this is helpful - you might want to pass onto Mel and then we can draft an agreed response?



Regards, Rod

Craftinsure.com

[cdbxyz]

lol that definitely wasn't meant for the forum

[Yabadabadoo]

Hardy Fishing 20

Craftinsure
2024 £364.64
2025 £515.59
41% Increase (according to online calculator)

Shame to lose a personal, friendly, accommodating company to a faceless corp who play

Will be shopping elsewhere.

[Fenlander]

In a few minutes over coffee I had a look round the smaller boat insurance companies using the insurance trade websites. Seems Ripe already owned Insure4Boats when they bought Craftinsure and Ripe are expected to complete their ongoing purchase of GJW by this summer.

In Ripe's promo blurb they seem to claim consumers will benefit from their digital knowhow and expanded marketing ability.

The reality so far seems some uncertainty surrounding policy small print, policy extensions and a pricing uplift, substantial in some cases. So actually no benefit to the consumer just less choice.

[gpsguru]

I have just renewed with Craftinsure, when I checked them against 2 other quotes, craftinsure was about £15 more expensive than the cheapest alternative, and that I can live with.


Interestingly, a lot of policies only cover RIB's for coastal waters (12nm), but I am often fishing wrecks that are 40nm out, and craft insure were happy to provide that cover for me, others (including Porthcawl) have not been so accommodating.


Sometimes it is not all about the money, quality of service, and easy contactability also comes into it.