Insurance woes

[Dino]

I have recently re-insured our rib with Navigators and General,we chose to stay with them for two reasons,namely price and ease.We enjoyed a good no claims discount and a further discount for being (ex) Westerly owners.
My issue is now all the dust has settled and we have read the schedule thoroughly is the cruising range.I'm limited to coastal only even though it's a "B" rated boat.
They are not interested, quoting of all things the high incidence of rib's being rescued after running out of fuel!!
I have presented a lengthy argument to them including my qualifications,RYA/DOT yachtmaster theory holder and the fact I was insured for channel crossings with them on our previous boat and that we have a number of channel crossings under our belt,all of which to no avail.
The point i'm making of course is read your policy details carefully,a gift horse isn't always as it seems.If you see us in Alderney,i'm the one with a 100m exclusion zone around,drifting in the harbour unattached to a bouy and not getting off for a pint

[Roy Smith]

We are with Mardon they informed me that if i wanted to do a channel crossing i would need to give them notice and get a referance. When i said that if we wanted to take off a wim on a saturday morring how do i get a ref if they are closed.

[Dino]

I wonder if more notice of this problem could be taken by insurance companies,especially as they do not seem to be taking any notice of a crafts RCD rating or the insureds qualifications.It doesn't seem to be worth taking them all if thats their attitude.

[Mike C]

I tried Mardon 10 years ago and they refused to cover me at all for channel crossings because the channel was too busy for an inflatable. Also, if I left it in a marina, someone might pick it up and steal it. I did explain it weighed over a ton but I couldn't get through!

So I went with these guys. http://www.euromarine-ltd.com
Much more ‘Rib-Wise’ and they insured me to cross the channel after only a little persuasion. I’m now insured for all the channel, Brest to Elbe, plus the Irish Sea and most of the Med, west of Italy-ish. I had to work up to that but they will listen to your experience/qualifications etc. Probably not the cheapest but you get what you pay for!

They also give BIBOA discount!

Mike C

[MarkWildey]

Have used Euromarine for 10+ years. Always very good service and helpful.

Mark

[Biggles]

I had Mardon and they wouldn't cover a boat under 16ft moored in a marina,


I am with Loyds now and they won't entertain any kind of toys/ski's being towed.

To tell you the truth I only have insurance for third person liability. And theft of the boat from my house etc.

I don't want to pay a claim if I should inadvertantly run over someone, not necessarily through my own fault.

[Pete7]

Rang Marsdon from Alderney last year asking for the additional cover from Coastal to Channel crossing for 10 days holiday. Cost an extra £50 and done on the spot.

Pete

[Biggles]

I raised this problem a year ago.

Its all fine and dandy getting a cheap quote. But make sure you read the small print. And if you can't be bothered to do that ring them up with your query.

My insurance doesn't include the cover of :-

a) Towing any toys.

b) leaving afloat overnight (Because its under 16 FT), might dump it on the beach.

c) I have to tell them exactly where it is kept on the south coast.

I haven't looked in to going far off shore or France in it. But before I do I shall make sure I ring them.

If any one knows of a good company without get out clauses let us know.

[Biggles]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Rang Marsdon from Alderney last year asking for the additional cover from Coastal to Channel crossing for 10 days holiday. Cost an extra £50 and done on the spot.

Pete

I should imagine thats quite a percentage increase on your insurance.

And we all know that your boat is built like a battleship............

[Swifty]

After some discussion about insurance last year, I re-read my insurance and discovered I was only covered during daylight hours A phone call sorted it out at no extra cost. (Bishop Skinner). They would not cover me for a channel crossing, but am ok for half of the outbound leg!.

[Jimbob]

Insurance seems to be an interesting thing for Ribs

When we coded the boat many companies would not insure, no matter what qualification i had. The things i took note of were

1) 12 mile offshore limit, unless you extent
2) the money you would pay for damage before insurance kicks in
3) Where the boat is kept and how it is made secure
4) Leaving it in the water, some policies expect someone to stay with the boat