| If you've just bought a dinghy or are thinking | | | | A. Most policies can be extended, by payment of |
| about changing insurance companies, Noble | | | | an additional premium, to include these items. |
| Marine's Guide to insuring your dinghy may help | | | | Claims would be limited to either the market value |
| you decide the sort of policy you need. | | | | at the time of loss or the sum specified on the |
| Both the cover provided by different Insurance | | | | Policy Schedule whichever is the lesser amount. It |
| Companies, and the service they offer, can vary | | | | may be a requirement of the policy that trailers |
| greatly. Bear in mind that a cheaper policy may | | | | are immobilised and / or locked when not in use. |
| end up costing you more, if you have to make a | | | | Q. To what extend would my equipment be |
| claim and you should always check what cover is | | | | covered on a standard policy (ie, sails, spars etc)? |
| being offered before signing up. | | | | A. Some insurers will only pay claims based on a |
| Q. What should I look out for? | | | | percentage of the new replacement cost of your |
| A. Everyone's needs are different, and only you | | | | mast spars or sails, dependant on its age, leaving |
| can decide if wider cover is important to you. It is | | | | you to fund the difference. Typically, insurance |
| essential though, to understand what is being | | | | companies will only pay two thirds of the |
| offered to you, before being able to make an | | | | replacement price on equipment over three years |
| informed decision. | | | | old. |
| Third Party Liability - You should not consider | | | | The dinghy insurance policy offered by Noble |
| going afloat without liability insurance, which will | | | | Marine will pay the full replacement cost of your |
| cover you if you cause damage to another boat | | | | mast, spars or sails, damaged beyond repair, |
| or worse still cause injury. The industry standard | | | | irrespective of age. All you need to pay is your |
| provides a limit of £2,000,000 and should | | | | policy excess. |
| be sufficient to sail in the UK. Many Insurers now | | | | Q. Does it matter who is in charge of my boat? |
| offer a policy providing £3,000,000 worth | | | | A. The majority of insurance policies will allow |
| of cover. | | | | anyone to sail your boat with your permission, |
| Racing Risks - Most policies will provide cover for | | | | however it would be prudent to check this first. If |
| racing as standard, but some insurers may charge | | | | you receive money in return, i.e. the boat is being |
| you an additional premium. If you race without | | | | chartered or hired; this may invalidate your policy. |
| paying the additional premium you may not be | | | | Q. What is legal protection? |
| covered. | | | | A. Upon payment of an additional premium, some |
| New-For-Old cover - This will replace damaged | | | | insurance policies can be extended to include legal |
| items with new, but check whether there is an | | | | representation if your boat is involved in a collision |
| age limit on your equipment. For instance if you | | | | or other accident and you suffer financial loss or |
| were to break a ten year old mast, some | | | | injury. If you are injured, it is even more |
| companies would replace this with a new mast of | | | | important that you receive expert help so that |
| equivalent specification, others would only pay out | | | | any claim for damages is pursued quickly and |
| what they considered to be the mast's value at | | | | efficiently. |
| the time of loss, leaving you to fund the | | | | Q. What about cover for sailing abroad? |
| difference. | | | | A. This will vary, depending on the policy you |
| Policy Excess - You will be required to pay the | | | | have chosen. Always check with your insurance |
| first £x of any claim. | | | | company before taking your boat abroad. Noble |
| Comprehensive Cover - will provide cover for | | | | Marine's clients automatically have cover for 30 |
| your boat against accidental damage, theft, fire | | | | days use in Europe each year. If your sailing takes |
| and vandalism. | | | | you outside Europe for short periods of time, or |
| Q. Do I need to use a specialist marine insurance | | | | your boat will be in Europe in excess of 30 days |
| company? | | | | per annum, then it may be possible to extend the |
| A. No - Many High Street Insurance Brokers will | | | | cover accordingly. |
| be able to arrange your insurance, but they may | | | | Q. What should I do in the event of a claim? |
| not have the necessary expertise to advise you | | | | A. You should always submit your claim as soon |
| correctly. | | | | as possible after an accident. After all, the faster |
| Q. How can I be sure the insurance company I | | | | you make the claim, the faster you can get back |
| choose is reliable? | | | | on the water. |
| A. Your policy is only as good as the service you | | | | Any incidences of theft or criminal damage should |
| receive if you have to submit a claim. Why not | | | | be reported to the police - remember that you'll |
| speak to your fellow sailors, for their comments | | | | need the Crime Reference Number for the claim |
| regarding which insurers provide good (or bad) | | | | form. |
| service to their clients. | | | | You will be required to provide at least one |
| With effect from 14th January 2005, it is a legal | | | | estimate for the repairs, or a written quote for |
| requirement that any company providing an | | | | the replacement items if a repair is not possible. |
| insurance policy, must be authorised and regulated | | | | Your Insurer may ask to inspect any equipment |
| by the Financial Services Authority. | | | | damaged, before authorising its replacement. |
| Q. Why do I need third party cover? | | | | Stolen boats should be listed by your insurance |
| A. £2,000,000 Third Party Liability is usually | | | | company, free of charge, on the new website. |
| compulsory if you are to sail in the UK and you | | | | Q. How quickly should I expect to have my claim |
| should not consider sailing without this cover as a | | | | sorted? |
| minimum. A policy providing third party liability, | | | | A. This will depend on which insurance company |
| should cover you if you were to cause damage | | | | you use and their speed of response. It can also |
| to property or injury to another person, with | | | | depend how quickly your repairer can provide a |
| your boat. | | | | quotation and then carry out the necessary |
| Cover is normally provided for a named boat, and | | | | repairs. It is Noble Marine's intention is to respond |
| therefore another person sailing your boat, with | | | | to you within two working days, advising how to |
| your permission, would also be covered, however | | | | proceed, so you'll know exactly where you stand, |
| you must check your policy if you are unsure. It | | | | and how soon you can expect to be back on the |
| is unlikely that you are covered to sail any boat | | | | water. |
| under this policy and if you are borrowing another | | | | All Dinghy Policies provided by Noble Marine include: |
| boat, you should always check with a boat's | | | | £3,000,000 Third party liability for anyone |
| owner that you are insured to sail it. | | | | using your boat with your permission. No excess |
| Third party risks whilst in transit would be | | | | is payable on third party only claims. |
| EXCLUDED as this is normally covered by your | | | | Accidental damage, theft, fire and vandalism. |
| motor insurance policy. | | | | Damage to the boat (and your trolley and trailer if |
| Q. Should I expect a standard policy to cover me | | | | specified on the policy) whilst in transit, but |
| while I'm not sailing (ie, when my boat is sitting in | | | | excluding third party liability in transit, as this |
| the drive or while I'm travelling?) | | | | should be covered by your vehicle's policy. |
| A. Comprehensive policies should cover your boat | | | | New for Old Cover - Your mast, boom, rigging |
| against accidental damage, theft, fire and | | | | and all sails are insured on a New-For-Old basis. If |
| vandalism, whether in use or not; however there | | | | any of these items are lost, damaged beyond |
| may be restrictions on your policy. Boats should | | | | repair or stolen, we will pay the cost of new |
| be securely tied down, trailers locked and / or | | | | replacement item, less the policy excess. No |
| immobilised when not in use, and equipment | | | | deduction is made for depreciation. |
| stored beneath your cover or taken home after | | | | Full cover for Racing |
| use, if possible. It is relatively common for mice, | | | | Comprehensive All Year Round Cover - 12 |
| rats or other rodents to make nests in your sails | | | | months cover for all inland and coastal waters of |
| if stored in your boat. | | | | the U.K. and up to one month's use in Europe. It |
| If they do, your sail will become eaten and | | | | may be possible, to extend this cover either for |
| stained. Not all insurance policies will cover this | | | | use outside Europe or for more than one month's |
| eventuality. | | | | use within Europe. |
| Q. Would my trolley and trailer be covered? | | | | |