No more GJW insurance

[Wafi]

11 minutes ago, Gybe Ho said:

"Fleet", were you covered for racing?

Yes. The boats were doing in excess of 10 knots upwind, twice that downhill, and were a bit delicate (I think they were about 85kg all-up). Getting things wrong downwind could quite easily result in a cartwheel. Like I said, we couldn't work out how the insurers were making any money out of us.

[Alway Swilby]

On 16/04/2025 at 00:13, Alan de Enfield said:

 

Did you note in the policy conditions that in the event of a claim you must produce a bill of sale proving ownership.

I've just read through the conditions (yawn) and producing a bill of sale is not mentioned anywhere.

[Francis Herne]

I'm with Craftinsure who were bought out by RIPE last year and renewed with them last month.

 

The price at renewal went up by about £20, but still a bit cheaper than other insurers I got quotes from including GJW. Craftinsure had been a lot cheaper than those previously.

 

Probably similar value-for-money now if you want higher contents insurance and other stuff that some insurers include as standard but I wasn't particularly looking for.

 

The policies were altered a bit without any significant changes in cover I could spot, and in particular without adding any of the restrictive exclusions that appear with other providers.

 

Stuff like "no single-handed boating at night", "no towing except in an emergency", "no charging lithium batteries on board" was an instant NO for me with several companies.

 

I do worry how small the insurance market is getting - it would be very easy for the handful of owning companies and their underwriters to jack prices up considerably without any real competition.

Edited April 17 by Francis Herne

[Alan de Enfield]

1 hour ago, Alway Swilby said:

I've just read through the conditions (yawn) and producing a bill of sale is not mentioned anywhere.

 

It is in the section 'making a claim' where it says that proof of purchase is required as part of the claim process.

[blackrose]

I've been with Craftinsure for about 19 years and haven't received the email...

[Alway Swilby]

1 hour ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

It is in the section 'making a claim' where it says that proof of purchase is required as part of the claim process.

No it isn't.

 

Have a read if you want.

Insurance Booklet.pdf

[Alan de Enfield]

11 minutes ago, Alway Swilby said:

No it isn't.

 

Have a read if you want.

Insurance Booklet.pdf 535.04 kB · 0 downloads

 

Thanks for that - I was getting a quote for a 'Motor Cruiser' whilst the document you linked to was only for Narrowboats, presumably there are different conditions for different groups of boats.

[Naughty Cal]

2 hours ago, Francis Herne said:

I'm with Craftinsure who were bought out by RIPE last year and renewed with them last month.

 

The price at renewal went up by about £20, but still a bit cheaper than other insurers I got quotes from including GJW. Craftinsure had been a lot cheaper than those previously.

 

Probably similar value-for-money now if you want higher contents insurance and other stuff that some insurers include as standard but I wasn't particularly looking for.

 

The policies were altered a bit without any significant changes in cover I could spot, and in particular without adding any of the restrictive exclusions that appear with other providers.

 

Stuff like "no single-handed boating at night", "no towing except in an emergency", "no charging lithium batteries on board" was an instant NO for me with several companies.

 

I do worry how small the insurance market is getting - it would be very easy for the handful of owning companies and their underwriters to jack prices up considerably without any real competition.

No different to motor insurance.

 

There are only really a handful of insurers being sold by different brokers.

[Gybe Ho]

21 hours ago, Alway Swilby said:

 

We've had the boat from new so no problem there.

 

I was looking at a boat recently, 16 years old and one owner from new. The broker could not find a "Bill of Sale" just a purchase order with a detailed fitout specification. The broker and I concluded a purchase order and subsequent handover on completion to the owner 16 years ago constituted proof of ownership. Is a Bill of Sale specific to a transfer of ownership on a finished article rather than a purchase of an item yet to be manufactured?

[Francis Herne]

54 minutes ago, Naughty Cal said:

No different to motor insurance.

 

There are only really a handful of insurers being sold by different brokers.

...and motor insurance is extortionately priced, especially for young people, so that only shows I have good reason to worry!

[Stroudwater1]

Does this mean loss of RCR retainership when insured through GJW?
 

It gives a degree of peace of mind even though there’s a call out fee still. 
 

We haven’t had an email either, renewal due in July. 

[Alan de Enfield]

2 hours ago, Gybe Ho said:

Is a Bill of Sale specific to a transfer of ownership on a finished article rather than a purchase of an item yet to be manufactured?

 

Yes.

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Stroudwater1 said:

Does this mean loss of RCR retainership when insured through GJW?
 

It gives a degree of peace of mind even though there’s a call out fee still. 
 

We haven’t had an email either, renewal due in July. 

 

I received this on 6th April with reneewal due 5th May.

 

Maybe their 'puter is programmed to send it out one month before renewal.

 

 

 

Hi Alan,

 

 

We’re writing to you to let you know about some important changes to your Craftinsure policy. 

 

Craftinsure is now part of Ripe Insurance Services Limited. We have been arranging insurance for over 20 years. Our portfolio includes specialist insurance products: Golf Care, Insure4Sport & Cycleplan and, we also arrange Caravan, Motorhome and Small Business insurance. So, you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re in expert company. 

 

 

 

What does this mean for you?

Apart from some aesthetic changes, we need to make you aware of some important changes that will come into effect: 

• Craftinsure is now a trading name of Ripe Insurance Services Limited. We have attached our Terms of Business, and you can review our privacy policy here.
• Craftinsure policies are now underwritten by Geo Underwriting Services Limited Trading as Navigators and General who arrange on behalf of HCC International plc ('HCCI') Trading as Tokio Marine HCC.
• Going forward, you will now see RIPE on your bank statements when paying for your annual cover. 

Otherwise, you won’t notice anything different. But it’s very important to us that you have a clear understanding of how we do business here at Ripe. How we administer your policy, handle your data, our fees and our mutual rights and obligations.

We encourage you to review these documents and if there is anything you don’t understand, please contact us.

What do you need to do? 

Absolutely nothing! We’ll get in touch again nearer the end of your annual policy with information about your renewal. 

 

If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to get in touch with us here or give us a call on 0345 260 7888 (Monday - Friday, 9am - 5:30pm, excluding bank holidays). 

 

Kind regards,

The Craftinsure Team

 

 

I then (7th April) received an email directly from Ripe :

 

 

 

Hi Alan,     As you have recently purchased an insurance policy from us or have been invited to renew an existing policy with us, we’ve now setup your new account Depending on the status of your policy, you can view your policy details, download your documents, renew your policy, or change your auto-renewal status. Simply click on the button below and then use the ‘forgotten password’ link to generate your own secure password.

It may take a short time for your documents to appear in your Ripe Account area but if they are not displayed within 24 hours, please let us know. Kind regards, The Ripe Team

Refer your friends to Ripe Know a cyclist, golfer, or caravan owner? Tell your friends about any of the Ripe products and we’ll reward you if they take out a policy with us. See all our products and how it works by clicking below

Edited April 17 by Alan de Enfield

[ditchcrawler]

1 hour ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

Yes.

 

 

 

 

I received this on 6th April with reneewal due 5th May.

 

Maybe their 'puter is programmed to send it out one month before renewal.

 

 

 

Hi Alan,

 

 

We’re writing to you to let you know about some important changes to your Craftinsure policy. 

 

Craftinsure is now part of Ripe Insurance Services Limited. We have been arranging insurance for over 20 years. Our portfolio includes specialist insurance products: Golf Care, Insure4Sport & Cycleplan and, we also arrange Caravan, Motorhome and Small Business insurance. So, you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re in expert company. 

 

 

 

What does this mean for you?

Apart from some aesthetic changes, we need to make you aware of some important changes that will come into effect: 

• Craftinsure is now a trading name of Ripe Insurance Services Limited. We have attached our Terms of Business, and you can review our privacy policy here.
• Craftinsure policies are now underwritten by Geo Underwriting Services Limited Trading as Navigators and General who arrange on behalf of HCC International plc ('HCCI') Trading as Tokio Marine HCC.
• Going forward, you will now see RIPE on your bank statements when paying for your annual cover. 

Otherwise, you won’t notice anything different. But it’s very important to us that you have a clear understanding of how we do business here at Ripe. How we administer your policy, handle your data, our fees and our mutual rights and obligations.

We encourage you to review these documents and if there is anything you don’t understand, please contact us.

What do you need to do? 

Absolutely nothing! We’ll get in touch again nearer the end of your annual policy with information about your renewal. 

 

If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to get in touch with us here or give us a call on 0345 260 7888 (Monday - Friday, 9am - 5:30pm, excluding bank holidays). 

 

Kind regards,

The Craftinsure Team

 

 

I then (7th April) received an email directly from Ripe :

 

 

 

Hi Alan,     As you have recently purchased an insurance policy from us or have been invited to renew an existing policy with us, we’ve now setup your new account Depending on the status of your policy, you can view your policy details, download your documents, renew your policy, or change your auto-renewal status. Simply click on the button below and then use the ‘forgotten password’ link to generate your own secure password.

It may take a short time for your documents to appear in your Ripe Account area but if they are not displayed within 24 hours, please let us know. Kind regards, The Ripe Team

Refer your friends to Ripe Know a cyclist, golfer, or caravan owner? Tell your friends about any of the Ripe products and we’ll reward you if they take out a policy with us. See all our products and how it works by clicking below

They have to send them out in advance and a quote is only good for a month, hence the timing. I just got an online quotation from theses people, they sound quite efficient as I got some info wrong on the form and they soon contacted me. Thats where I got the month quote inro from 

Boat Insurance - Get an online quote from Nautical Insurance

[Tonka]

My renewal date is 28th July 2025 and i've had the email so not sure what we can conclude from that

[Rob-M]

Our renewal is 30th June 2025 and I've not had the email.

[Alan de Enfield]

3 hours ago, ditchcrawler said:

They have to send them out in advance and a quote is only good for a month, hence the timing. I just got an online quotation from theses people, they sound quite efficient as I got some info wrong on the form and they soon contacted me. Thats where I got the month quote inro from 

Boat Insurance - Get an online quote from Nautical Insurance

 

I have given the a call and they have quoted me £302 which is £17 cheaper than the other quote, BUT they have a 30 years of age survey clause, which would not be a problem.

 

email reply :

 

Hello Alan

Our underwriting philosophy is for first survey at 30 years and then every 10 years after.

However, we always propose boat owner has a pre purchase survey before completing purchase.

 

Trust above of interest and assistance.

 

Kind Regards

Nautical

 

Their cover is slightly 'worse' (lower) for 3rd party and slightly higher excesses.

 

They could be another option for anyone looking for NB insurance as they certainly seem competitive.

[Lily Rose]

22 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

I have given the a call and they have quoted me £302 which is £17 cheaper than the other quote, BUT they have a 30 years of age survey clause, which would not be a problem.

 

email reply :

 

Hello Alan

Our underwriting philosophy is for first survey at 30 years and then every 10 years after.

However, we always propose boat owner has a pre purchase survey before completing purchase.

 

Trust above of interest and assistance.

 

Kind Regards

Nautical

 

Their cover is slightly 'worse' (lower) for 3rd party and slightly higher excesses.

 

They could be another option for anyone looking for NB insurance as they certainly seem competitive.

 

They will be worth bearing in mind if I get asked for a survey in my August renewal (25 year old boat).

 

[Steve9007]

to add aswell the BOAT app is closing aswell, which is where you can hold all details of your narrowboat there and lookup, got an email saying to save all stuff on there as it won't be accessible when it shuts down  

 

[David Mack]

45 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

Our underwriting philosophy is for first survey at 30 years and then every 10 years after.

Interesting. The insurers I have dealt with usually want surveys every 5 or 6 years for boats older than 25/30 years.

[frangar]

12 minutes ago, David Mack said:

Interesting. The insurers I have dealt with usually want surveys every 5 or 6 years for boats older than 25/30 years.

GJW was every 10 years……which I hope the new  lot will honour at renewal. 

[Alan de Enfield]

6 minutes ago, frangar said:

GJW was every 10 years……which I hope the new  lot will honour at renewal. 

 

The  GJW policy quotes :

 

You are not covered : If You are unable to demonstrate that anodes of sufficient size and appropriate type have been installed and inspected annually.

 

 

My Craftinsure/Ripe renewal had the T&Cs attached of which this was one :

 

If the vessel is over 20 years old and over 25ft in length, You have in Your possession a survey report not more than five
years old from a qualified surveyor, with all recommendations complied with (or a survey carried out within the past 7
years if the Boat is already insured by You with Craftinsure).

 

Remember this is for a motor cruiser - an NB may differ.

[frangar]

3 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

The  GJW policy quotes :

 

You are not covered : If You are unable to demonstrate that anodes of sufficient size and appropriate type have been installed and inspected annually.

 

 

My Craftinsure/Ripe renewal had the T&Cs attached of which this was one :

 

If the vessel is over 20 years old and over 25ft in length, You have in Your possession a survey report not more than five
years old from a qualified surveyor, with all recommendations complied with (or a survey carried out within the past 7
years if the Boat is already insured by You with Craftinsure).

 

Remember this is for a motor cruiser - an NB may differ.

I think you will find that the narrowboat one is very different. 

[Alan de Enfield]

1 minute ago, frangar said:

I think you will find that the narrowboat one is very different. 

 

I'm not surprised, but would have thought that the 'anode clause' would be more stringently enforced on a steel boat than a GRP boat.

[frangar]

1 minute ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

I'm not surprised, but would have thought that the 'anode clause' would be more stringently enforced on a steel boat than a GRP boat.

I don’t think there is any mention of anodes at all. Bear in mind that not all surveyors think they actually do any good on a steel hull. 

[jonathanA]

I've just renewed with gjw and there is absolutely nothing about anodes,age, surveys.. its a very short and clear policy doc.  The only thing mine says is something about the insured or a competent person being on board when underway....