Insurance exclusion of Australian ports

[JPA Cate]

you ain't getting a huge monetary reward for visiting the risky locations.

To me, if they keep the South of 22-1/2 deg. South exclusion in, they would not have to exclude places like Twofold Bay, where reasonable good sense, not rocket science intellect, will keep one safe.

Also, in the event of being told to leave the marina there needs to be a clear statement from the insurer, in order for the insuree to decide whether or not he or she wants to go to there, and if so, under what conditions.

Of course, this is nit picking, you're totally right, in the concept.

What it is, is an opportunity for a more sensible group of insurers to corner the experienced cruisers market.

Ann

[Reefmagnet]

Just for fits and giggles, I entered the age of my boat and Shute Harbour swing mooring as the location into a couple of online quoting third party boat insurers yesterday. One emailed "nope" and the other never replied.


On a brighter note, I figured that there's still a fair few boats hanging off moorings, so it must be possible to get into a boatyard, at least, without insurance. Turns out, after minimal inquiry, there is


Anyway, for those Queenslanders that may be interested, here's an excerpt from an email I received a few months back regarding the current insurance situation as perceived by Maritime Services Queensland:

Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) is aware of the challenges for obtaining insurance, particularly for vessels operated in cyclone prone regions of the state. The War on Wrecks Taskforce made recommendations in their Interim Report (delivered in July 2018) to address derelict vessels in Queensland's waterways. One of the recommendations relates to insurance as insurance that is inadequate or non-existent often plays a key role in vessels becoming abandoned. MSQ will work with the Taskforce in reviewing the adequacy of existing regulatory requirements for pollution insurance, and insurance implications in developing marinas and mooring in cyclone affected areas.
The legislative requirement for vessels over 15m to have insurance is critical to ensure Queensland waterways remain safe and clean and that taxpayers are not funding the costs associated with pollution incidents or environmental hazards. A recent review by MSQ of marine insurance available revealed that while most insurance companies are reluctant to provide insurance for vessels operated in cyclone prone areas, some insurance companies provide coverage. The poor condition of a vessel may also be an impediment to obtaining insurance. For those insurance companies that do provide coverage for vessels operated in cyclone-prone areas, apart from an increased price for the policy, other conditions or restrictions may be applied such as:
· higher costs for insurance coverage
· coverage only for trailer boats
· increased excess payments compared to those in non-cyclone prone areas
· anchoring / berthing conditions (for example, swing moorings prohibited)
· relocating vessel to another region during the cyclone season.
Where a ship's owner cannot reasonably obtain or keep in force an insurance policy and can demonstrate that the risk of their ship discharging pollutants or being abandoned in Queensland coastal waters is minimal, they may be able to apply for an exemption to the insurance requirement. Before an application can be considered, the applicant must provide certain information including; a certificate of registration for the ship, a seaworthiness report for the ship, a risk management plan, and evidence of inability to obtain an insurance policy. Full details of the application process may be found at the MSQ web site - https://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Marine-po...Ship-insurance. If a ship's owner cannot meet the requirements for an exemption from obtaining pollution insurance, and does not have a current insurance policy that meets the requirements of section 67A of the Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995, then the ship is not permitted to remain in Queensland coastal waters.
Another of the Taskforce’ recommendations relates to waterway management, including reviewing how buoy moorings should be managed and whether there is scope for improved vessel storage in areas prone to cyclones. While there is no simple solution to this issue, Maritime Safety Queensland is working with a range of stakeholders to identify potential solutions and improvements to the current system. In relation to being away from a buoy mooring, a ship can be away from the mooring for greater than 28 days as long as the mooring holder notifies MSQ. MSQ regularly receives complaints in relation to vacant moorings, and the notification allows MSQ to understand which moorings are temporarily vacant, and which moorings may need further attention to ensure it is being used in accordance with the conditions of the authority.

[chrisr]

not sure but think this is the latest thread to cover insurance in australia, so thought to mention here that we have just been refused cover by topsail "due to you being a permanent live aboard without a home port or fixed address."

looks like we are in the market for cover...

cheers,

[hzcruiser]

Hmm, one sometimes wonders if they really want to sell any cover?

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by chrisr

not sure but think this is the latest thread to cover insurance in australia, so thought to mention here that we have just been refused cover by topsail "due to you being a permanent live aboard without a home port or fixed address."

looks like we are in the market for cover...

cheers,

Try New Wave in Sydney,

[chasfgr]

Originally Posted by Mr B

Try New Wave in Sydney,

Actually Amanda Bird, in Queensland,



newwaveinsurance.com.au

[chrisr]

Originally Posted by Mr B

Try New Wave in Sydney,

we did

and the response ;

"Thank you for your quotation request. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer terms at this time because:

Our underwriting guidelines do not cover those that live on board permanently If this is incorrect, please remove this from your quote and re-submit it."



cheers,

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by chrisr

we did

and the response ;

"Thank you for your quotation request. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer terms at this time because:

Our underwriting guidelines do not cover those that live on board permanently If this is incorrect, please remove this from your quote and re-submit it."



cheers,

I did that,
I had to explain that I was travelling around Australia in my Boat,
My home Marina was Melbourne,
I had to give them my experience on my boat and my lifetime on Motor vessels as well,
They decided that crossing from Fiji and 21 days at sea, Single Handed, 3000 Nmiles was sufficient experience to give me Insurance,
I am covered for 200 Nmiles off shore, Full coverage,

Explain your situation to them, And your experience, How long you have lived full time on your boat and where,

[chrisr]

Originally Posted by Mr B

I did that,
I had to explain that I was travelling around Australia in my Boat,
My home Marina was Melbourne,
I had to give them my experience on my boat and my lifetime on Motor vessels as well,
They decided that crossing from Fiji and 21 days at sea, Single Handed, 3000 Nmiles was sufficient experience to give me Insurance,
I am covered for 200 Nmiles off shore, Full coverage,

Explain your situation to them, And your experience, How long you have lived full time on your boat and where,

thanks for the advice - i'll give them a call

diff may be that we are permanent full time live-aboard, do not have a 'home marina' and are not on any particular nominated voyage...just wandering around the coast as it suits us

will let you know

(ps : experience won't be a problem...)

cheers,

[tcpbob]

as the roving reporter for the coastal passage i covered some serious losses for the insurance companies around airlie beach/pioneer bay and shute harbour. as the market was weak then for monos especially, it was obvious that boats were left on moorings in hopes they would be wrecked. and others were managed by charter operations. and now boats have a hard time getting insured there on a mooring... go figure. i also know of people that loved their boats and still have them in the whits.. they don't need insurance because they know what they are doing... and they live aboard.



i live aboard full time and edward william has covered me everywhere i go and i sail a lot. the agent has an ad on the tcp web site home page. dg marine. https://www.theoastalpassage.com going into a different country often insurance is required. queensland has so many really good bolt holes there is no excuse in my book, for loosing your home to storm.



sailors are now paying the price for the sins of predecessors.