MERLIN ROCKET FORUM

Topic : Insurance - New Thread

HAs any one had to deal with Bishop Skinner since they merged/got taken over.
Clearly previous 'best price'/'best service', but I have had to call them 3 time to try and get cover and each time they take my deatils and then say they will call back. I'm holding out on the basis their price might still be keen but I am starting to doubt it, but a once loyal customer now has quotes from Nobel and CraftInsure to compare against, I will wait a short while for their call.

Any other recommendations?


Posted: 20/03/2006 15:06:08
By: Alan F
I have always used craftinsure for all of my boats. never have any problems and they are cheap enough.


Posted: 20/03/2006 15:32:17
By: Jeremy3550
Quite worrying really for many of us as I think that there is a large Merlin contingent insuring with them.  I found that when I asked for my quote 2 years back it was immediate over the phone - wonder why the change except as you say a new owner.  The next thing will be if you have a broken rudder press 1, for centreboards press 2,  for masts please hold!!!


Posted: 20/03/2006 15:33:46
By: Garry R
Alan,

I have always found Noble Marine pleasant to deal with and they do ring back when they say they will. When my Ent got spitted by a Salcombe Yawl last summer they were good at handling the claim, in helping me find someone to do the repairs, and in chasing recovery from the other side.

Nigel


Posted: 20/03/2006 15:37:23
By: Nigel C (3354)
Bishop Skinner were fine over my gunwhale claim last year - no problems.


Posted: 20/03/2006 15:39:43
By: Mags
I beginning to wonder if it is because I had the audacity to claim for one of my two broken masts last year and that because the £5000 or so of premium they have had out of me over the years has been depleted by £900 I am no a longer desirable customer. Still waiting for their call.


Posted: 20/03/2006 15:40:18
By: Alan F
No problem last year with my mast claim either, very efficient. Last year.


Posted: 20/03/2006 15:41:30
By: Alan F
I had price from Craft insure and it was huge more than 50% more  than Bishop Skinner who gave me the best deal on my new boat last year.


Posted: 20/03/2006 16:27:09
By: Rob Wilder
Alan

I recently insured my OK with Bishop Skinner, excellent service patched straight through to yachting and given quote over the phone.

They offered the most competitive deal compared with the other insurers.

Stick with what you know.


Posted: 20/03/2006 16:37:31
By: Richard Battey
Were they annoucing their new company name at the time. Each time I call I get the telephonist responding when I ask for the dinghy section ' sigh ... oh ... I'll try ...'


Posted: 20/03/2006 16:52:49
By: Alan F
I was with Bishop Skinner for years great service and last years claim settled very quickly and I will definatly be back with them this season.

Which leads me on to an other question Sweet Charity was a writeoff total loss last year, I got the boat back as part of the settlement which I am glad to say is now repaired.
Is there anything I must do before seeking new insurance this season?


Posted: 20/03/2006 17:32:43
By: scott 3072
I'm with Bishop Skinner because they were the ones who'd insure a Merlin at the best price when Adniral wouldn't touch Merlins despite being aloyal no-claims customer for years with the rest of my fleet. Just hope BS haven't changed.
Admiral have sold out their dinghy business now and renewals will be with another company - I think it's Newton Crum.


Posted: 20/03/2006 18:20:40
By: PJ
Noble Marine.

2 relatively big claims last year, both settled quickly and the renwal was not as bad as i thought it would be.

can't fault them for service, they are a bit pricey but you do get what you pay for.


Posted: 20/03/2006 18:36:56
By: Chris
I use Noble marine but my renewal is £175 insuring £2500 total seems a little steep I did have a major claim on my Phantom last year.


Posted: 20/03/2006 19:14:56
By: RussHopkins3374
I pay less than that for three boats with admiral and one of them's worth £2200!
Not including the Merlin though


Posted: 20/03/2006 21:05:14
By: PJ
I'm hoping shortly to buy my first racing dinghy (M/R of couse) for 20 years so this is all very interesting to me. I was interested in Garry's comment about too many Merlins with one insurer. You should try insuring a glider, the number in the UK is fairly small so there's no market and only a couple of suppliers so there's little competition and high prices. It's something to watch out for.


Posted: 20/03/2006 21:26:24
By: Robert Harris
For my 2 low cost vintage Merlins Bishop Skinner charged me £90 last year


Posted: 21/03/2006 08:44:32
By: Garry R
NOBLE MARINE are good but so is PANTEUS both don't seem to quibble.


Posted: 21/03/2006 10:24:28
By: Ancient Geek
I think that's spelt PANTANEUS (plymouth & Connes.) It's a wise salomon that knows its own tin!


Posted: 21/03/2006 10:34:23
By: Ancient Geek
My late father who was an Insurance man thru and thru always said "if you don't pay claims promptly no one will pay premiums". The modern insurance industry can be little more than licensed theft especially with mandatory 3rd party cover etc etc.


Posted: 21/03/2006 10:37:10
By: Ancient Geek
Just to let you know Bishop Skinner came good in the end, still £100 cheaper than any other, they explained the change in company did create the blip in service as they switched over computer systems a bit hastily.


Posted: 21/03/2006 13:02:58
By: Alan F
Good to hear - anything for an easy life


Posted: 21/03/2006 13:11:17
By: Garry R

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