Narrowboat Security
There are no specific narrowboat security measures that are a requirement of your narrowboat insurance policy but you must make precautionary measures, especially if it is left unoccupied for any period of time.
Inland Waterways Insurance – How To Get The Best Value
When looking for inland waterways insurance, you may be offered a range of policies from different companies and at different prices. So how do you know what’s the best value for money?
Selling A Boat
If the time has come to sell your boat, the key to getting a good price for it is preparation.
Buying A Narrowboat
There is a lot of interest in buying narrowboats at the moment, which is no surprise as they offer a sense of freedom and exploration in a period of restricted activity. So where do you start when it comes to buying a narrowboat.
Keeping Safe and Warm in your Narrowboat this Winter
Although most of your preparation will have been done before the winter months, it’s important to keep on top of things to make sure you stay warm and safe in your narrowboat.
Preparing your Boat for the Winter
Preparing your boat for the winter will help protect it from the elements of cold weather, making sure it’s ready to get back in the water when you are.
Jet Ski Insurance Cover
Jet Ski Insurance Cover
With Summer just around the corner, getting out on a jet ski to blow away the winter cobwebs could be just the ticket. Before you set out on the water, it’s important that you have the right jet ski insurance to meet your needs.
Although there is no legal requirement to have jet ski insurance when heading out on the water in the UK, it will give you peace of mind that you’re covered, should anything go wrong.
Assist Insurance Services offer three choices of jet ski insurance cover:
- Comprehensive Craft and Liability Cover
- Craft Cover Only
- Third Party Liability Cover Only
Craft cover – i.e. insurance for your the ski itself
This includes loss or damage to your jet ski caused by:
- Fire or explosion
- Accidents of others, such as collision, sinking or grounding
- Deliberate or malicious acts including arson and vandalism
- Theft or attempted theft
Our jet ski insurance is not limited to these risks – see our jet ski insurance policy wording for more details.
Jet ski insurance – Third Party Liability Cover
This covers you for the cost of damage or injury to third parties up to the value of £3million, but you have the option to choose a different limit. By a third party, we mean anyone who is not related to you, or working for you and their property.
This element of your jet ski insurance also covers you and your family’s legal costs and compensation payments in settling or defending a claim resulting from injury or property damage to others, which was caused by you, when using your jet ski. It includes solicitors’ fees and other expenses relating to official enquiries of coroners’ inquests.
Jet ski Insurance – Optional Covers
There are a number of optional cover options which may be suitable for you providing you with additional cover suitable for your individual needs. They are as follows:
- Protected No Claims Discount
- £1million water ski liability
- Credit card and cash up to £250
- Watch and jewellery up to £1.500 and over £1,500 safe restrictions
- Legal expenses cover up to £100,000
- Personal possessions cover on board
- Trailers and trollies cover
- Flexible third-party liability cover
- Water skiing and towing of toys.
- Contents cover available
- Portable craft equipment
Please note that it is important to keep your jet ski properly maintained, as general wear and tear is not covered by your jet ski insurance policy. For full details, see our jet ski insurance policy wording.
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Preparing your Yacht for the Season
Preparing your Yacht for the Sailing Season
If you’re looking forward to plenty of time on the water in your yacht this summer, now’s the time to give it a thorough check over. Paying attention to general boat maintenance and mechanical servicing now could save you time and expense later on, when you could be enjoying yourself out on the water. Here are some of the keys things you should be doing.
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Interior and exterior cleaning
Even if you gave your boat a good clean when you put her away for the winter, she’ll probably need a thorough clean to remove any dust, dirt and mildew that has accumulated over the winter months. Use specialist marine cleaning products to clean and protect the interior as well as the decks. Polish all stainless-steel fittings and apply a protector, check for wear and tear, tighten any that have worked loose.
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Check rigging
This needs to be done on a regular basis and especially at the beginning of the season. Wear and tear due to movement of the rig, can easily occur when your boat is moored up during the winter. Examine the standard rigging and running rigging for any signs of damage. Clean and replace the components as required.
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Anti-fouling
Check the anti-fouling coating on the hull. This protects it from the growth of marine algae and scum build-up. You can source various types of anti-fouling paints from a chandlery and it’s advisable to remove as much of the previous layer as possible, before applying a new coat. This gives a smoother finish and better protection.
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Engine service
Having your engine serviced now is good practice and much more convenient than in the middle of the season. It could also avoid any difficulties or breakdowns when you’re out on the water. An engine service will usually include a full clean, oil and oil filter change, gearbox greasing and oil check, replacement of air filters, checking v-belt, impeller and anode.
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Winch service
Winches require routine care and maintenance, as frequent usage can cause significant wear and tear. Service them now to ensure that they run smoothly and efficiently.
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Sail-drive service
Sail drives can be susceptible to corrosion as they are often immersed in salt water. Service them now with a thorough clean, oil change and gearbox check to ensure they don’t fail when you’re on the water.
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Seacock service
Check that all seacocks work and operate them frequently to avoid them seizing up. Make sure that none are leaking, clean them with fresh water, check and grease the seals.
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Re-fill fresh-water tanks
If you drained down the tanks at the end of last season, then close the taps, switch on the pump and refill the tank. Flush through with clean water and turn on each tap individually to run water through it. Start with the taps closest to the pump to push out any air locks.
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Check life-saving equipment
Modern life-jackets require proper maintenance, so refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure that they are adjusted for each crew member and that everyone knows where they are stowed. Ensure flares and fire extinguishers are in date, the life raft is serviced and fully functioning, making sure lifelines and guard rails are secure and in good condition.
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Check your boat insurance
Make sure that your boat insurance policy is up to date and covers you for what you need. If you have any questions, you can call our advisers on 01604 946 779.
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Beginners’ Guide to Yachts
When is a Boat also a Yacht?
There is a vast array of vocabulary associated with yachting, sailing and boating, and many terms have Naval origins dating back hundreds of years. It can be confusing for the novice sailor and the place to start is probably: What do you call your sailing vessel?
This is some debate (and confusion) around when is a boat also a yacht – as all yachts are boats, but not all boats are yachts! What determines whether a boat is a yacht includes factors such as size, value, design, purpose and status. The dictionary definition of a yacht is: “a medium-sized sailing boat equipped for cruising or racing.”
Competitive sailing/racing
Yachting may be considered an elite occupation or pastime, while the competitive sport of racing boats or yachts has a much broader appeal. The Olympic sport changed its name from yachting to sailing before the 1966 Olympic Games to reflect this. In addition, the classes of boats sailed in the Olympics change quite often. They vary according to the objectives of the International Olympic Committee and include boats defined as dinghies, skiffs and multihull boats (but not yachts). Just to add to the confusion, British sailors join the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and sailing clubs across the country are affiliated to the RYA.
RYA definition of a yacht
The RYA describes a yacht as a larger boat, where you can live on board. (It’s important to include the assumption that these are sea-faring boats, rather than ones that you find on our inland waterways!) They range from about 20 feet (6m) in length to well over 100 feet (30m). They come in various hull shapes: Monohull (single hull); catamaran (two hulls) and trimaran (three hulls). They can also have many difference types of keel and different types of rig.
Luxury yachts
The size of yachts in the luxury market is getting bigger all the time. What used to be known as ‘superyachts’ (at 100 – 130 feet /30 – 40m) are now considered mid-range, while superyachts are now over 130 feet, but the benchmarks are continually moving.
Whatever size of yacht you have, Assist Insurance offers a range of flexible policy options to provide you with yacht insurance to meet your needs.
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