Ive just been quoted £292.50 from Noble Marine for insurance for my boat Thin Ice 3497 - is this good value or not? Any reccommended alternatives? 
The boat is a wooden rowsell in great condition with carbon and newish sails - its a bit of an heirloom and I want to look after it. 
The replacement value is quoted at £7500 - this probably wouldnt be enough to rebuild from a total loss - any advice on would be welcome.

Insurance seems to be difficult to find anyway for MRs.  Noble give competitive prices although for £7K value this seems at the high end.

I need to insure my recent aquisition 'Blue Streak' 1395, I believe it's a requirement at Tamesis where I shall be sailing her. Obviously she's worth a lot less than 'Thin Ice', are there any alternatives to Noble for a low value boat? 

Years ago we used to insure with Richard Winter at Navigators and General who I think were taken over by Eagle Star, do they still do boat insurance?

Robert, I insured Total Eclipse with Bishop Skinner for just under £50.  I'll bring their contact details with me the club next Sunday.  As an aside, would you be up for competing in the 3-club Burgee Trophy team racing event on Sunday 29 October?  It's being hosted by Minima YC and, as you know, is contested by teams from Minima, Tamesis and Thames SC.  We need to supply three classic/vintage Merlins under sail no. 3000

Thanks Richard. I used to know a guy called Doug Bishop (Hornets) who was in insurance, I wonder if it's the same Bishop.

I'm afraid I have to decline your invitation to sail 'Blue Streak' at Minima on Sunday, I've not sailed her yet and I haven't raced a Merlin Rocket (or anything else) since Salcombe '84 after which I flew gliders for 22 years.

Isn't it like riding a bike Robert? : )  If not, would you be willing to loan Blue Streak out?  The date is Sunday 29 October.  Ollie Houseman wants to helm but doens't have a boat that qualifies (sub-3000 sail numbers only).

Use the forum search box (or see this link) as the topic has been discussed before - the bottom line is that Bishop Skinner are well worth a call, and there are other options too.

Having just had a quote from Noble because Admiral have passed their dinghy business over, I think they are rather expensive - they want £50 for the old laser that cost me £12 with Admiral as part of my "fleet".
My Merlin's with Bishop Skinner (as Admiral would only offer me third party on a Merlin) - BS were a lot cheaper than anyone else (next quote was 30% more!!)

I'll phone you Richard

Robert,
It is Doug Bishop

Thanks Mags - much covered before. Ill try Bishop Skinner for an alternative quote. 

Id appreciate an opinion on how much should I value the boat at though; is £ 7500 too high? If I really crashed it - youd have to rebuild from scratch which might cost quite a lot more. What happens if it gets taken out on the trailer? oh no ...ahhhgghhh...Buying insurance... its boll##ks isnt it....the 'what if' disaster mentality really sets in.

Whats the best ever insurance claim description in a Merlin????

Going rate for a boat of that age on the secondhand list is about £4000 up to £4500 for one in excellent condition, at worst a Superspar carbon rig and new sails. That is however based on a Canturbury Tales hull and i think that a Thin Ice would struggle to get quite the same money these days purely on the basis that Tales is a current shape, Thin Ice isn't really any more.

I'd say £7500 is too high, i would probably pitch it at about £5500 at the most.

Remember, I believe, the insurers (unless you have a special insurance) will only pay out to the replacement value if you have a total write off they won't pay out for a re-build. They will get the replacement value by looking at the second hand market.

The insurance premium is made up of two parts 
1. the third party risks, that costs abot £50 on a Merlin
2. the value you say you want covered, they won't challenge you on that (until you come to claim that is) as every pound you over value it they will charge a higher premium,

Having recieved a renewal quote for almost £200 (used the same company for 12 + years) for my Thin Ice this year I decided to enquire elsewhere. Bishop Skinner got my money, just over £80 including RYA Member and Instructor Discounts.  Well worth a call.

I've just got a quote of £63.53 inc. tax from Bishop Skinner to cover 'Blue Streak' 1395. I included the cost of new sails in my stated value. Being a fairly elderly boat they want photos demonstrating her condition before covering her which is reasonable I think.

Doug Bishop was involved but apparently he died some time ago.

I know its an old and dull string, but to conclude I got cover with bishop skinner for £ 109 total value of the boat £5k - bargain and thanks for all yr help.

Absolutely definitely Bishop Skinner after shopping around. (The Merlin's already with them)
Lark (£2200) and double combi trailer ($£700) total value £2900. 4 years no claims.
renewal quote Noble was £79 for Lark plus £80 for trailer
Newton Crum £78 for both
Bishop Skinner charged £68 for the lot!!

Is there anything the class can do for Bishop Skinner to support them and encourage this attitude?

Insure with Bishop Skinner!

I do. Chosen because 1. Best Quote 2. officially approved by RNLI & RYA. 2.5% of premium donated to Lifeboats according to the website.

Go with Bishop Skinner, just insured 3647 for £150. A good £100 cheaper than my previous company. No complaints so far.

In response to Bill - try and have fewer accidents!!  It will reduce premiums for all.

I insured Snorter 3627 last week with Bishop Skinner for £148.

Liam

just in case you don't know where accident is

accident, MD (town, FIPS 225)
  Location: 39.62694 N, 79.32088 W
  Population (1990): 349 (155 housing units)
  Area: 1.3 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
  Zip code(s): 21520

Another vote for Bishop Skinner.

Much cheaper than the others. Cover including full racing risks for 3404 came out at £63 for £1600 insured value (boat and trailer). Interestingly they didnt ask for photos.

Richard Noble was about £130 for the same sum insured and extra for racing risks and Newton Crum dont cover Merlins.