Hello all,
We are in the throws of chasing
insurance quotes and to be quite frank its getting very very restrictive for cruising sailers. We were with Topsail
insurance who have been very good to date but the new policy had me gasping. In all our past insurance policies we were always covered for cyclones provided we made every effort to protect the vessel and document what was undertaken. The excess did increase in these situations to 10% the value of the vessel but I beleiveed this was fair given the circumstances.
Normally our
boat would be on home waters in NSW and not subject to risk during cyclone season but during one season we left our
boat in a "cyclone" rated marina in the Whitsundays knowing we were sufficiently secure in the event of a cyclone.
This year everything has changed. Topsail are not insuring any vessel for cyclone damage regardless it being in cyclone season or not. Nil, zip, nada. Any damage occasioned to a vessel will not be covered. I take it this also related to any damage that is caused by your vessel to any other vessel or marina.
While this will not stop our cruising it will restrict how far we now go north in case we have to bolt south in case of an out of season cyclone. Needless worry, I dont think so just a case of weighing up the risks.
I am checking with other main stream insurers to see if this is happeing elsewhwere as I am led to beleive it is.
I know people who reside in
marinas in FNQ and if this proves correct they will not be insured during a cyclone. if no insurance is a marina going to continue to allow them to stay . Points to ponder.
Greg H
Currently looking for a replacement catamaran