GJW Direct Insurance - are they ok?

[Markinaboat]

After 15 yrs living aboard, I've only been insured with two companies. Renewal is up on Thursday so have been shopping around. GJW Direct do an all inclusive, all risks policy where you can also add contents cover should you so wish. It also includes most other options as standard such as personal accident, medical expenses, legal protection etc. The price is so good it makes me slightly wary (boat £81000 and contents £10000). On top of that, you can liveaboard or not as it makes no difference to the policy. All this for £262!

 

Has anyone here had experience of them in the event of a claim?

 

Naturally, I'll read or ask for the small print before I buy to ensure there are no awkward get out clauses etc.

 

Thanks

 

Mark

[kingswood]

just gone with them this year so don't know

[Tonka]

No experience of having a claim with them but used to be with them and got cheesed off with them. They sent me a letter stating that as my vessel was approaching 20 years it would require a survey so I started looking into another company. I went to Saga who did not need a survey. I rang GJW to say that I would not be renewing who then said that they had changed their policy on getting a survey and it would not now be needed now until 25 years

[Markinaboat]

Most insurers require a hull durvey if over 20 or 25 years old.

 

Ive been with Towergate for years, very comprehensive and not msny 'exclusions' but so expensive.

[QCat]

I worked out that Towergate with the inclusive RCR cover was cheaper than going with GJW plus separate RCR. So although it seemed expensive it was better value overall for me (but as I'm not what you'd call the worlds greatest mechanic I like a breakdown service, not everyone wants the same)

[Richard10002]

I've been with them for 4 years but no claims so cant comment. Around a hundred quid for £26k boat and £2k contents.

[ditchcrawler]

Most insurers require a hull durvey if over 20 or 25 years old.

 

Ive been with Towergate for years, very comprehensive and not msny 'exclusions' but so expensive.

That is who I am with, I was going to look round this year but have read a few reports of people who have had claims which were sorted to their satisfaction which is important. Its no good buying the cheapest if they wont pay out when it all goes wrong.

[gaggle]

use them but never claimed , take my money ok though with no fuss

[Odana]

GJW have a habit of jacking up premium every year way over what a new customer would pay. No shame about it - they match when challenged. Collidge and partners do a household policy which includes some all risks so covers laptops, bicycles etc AND they have always been a delight to deal with

[Athy]

Yes, I used to have a boat insured with GJW. At first I didn't like them (can't remember what the bone of contention was), but when I had to make a claim, after a bit of argle-bargle they paid up the full amount that I'd requested.

[GUMPY]

GJW have a good record when paying claims.

Been with them for 14 years since I bought the Barge.

ETA if someone recomends you they get £20 all you need to do is give GJW their policy number when you apply

Edited September 21, 2016 by Loddon

[widebeamboy]

Nav and Gen are owned by Zurich. Collidge and Partners generally place their liveaboard policies through them. They are not a canal boat specialist insurer and whilst the claims team are pleasant enough to deal with did require some guidance on my large(ish) water damage claim in my first year. They appointed a loss adjuster who was old school and been around forever. Although he was their LA he managed to resolve my issues. Be aware that unlike some specialist canal boat insurers Nav and Gen dont have a panel or access to people they would utilise for repairs. You will most likley be given a settlement to go ahead and get the work done. This may or not be a good thing, depends on you.

 

They will get my renewal, mainly because I have been through the process with them and the price differentiation across others is nominal now I have switched my 25k boat contents cover to my combined household/car etc policy with Chubb.

Edited September 21, 2016 by widebeamboy

[MissMax]

Don't know but they only charged me £92 so I used them

[widebeamboy]

Try Craig Morley at Coversure - 02477677130

 

To give an overview on what they offered for no contents cover and a total sum insured of £105,000

 

Towergate Marine £370
Haven Knox £465
Nav & Gen £383 (collidge and Partners were cheaper as I leveraged being an existing customer for extra discount)
Sompo Canopius £329 (they are apparently a specialist canal boat insurer with network of contractors etc)

[magictime]

We had to make a claim when our boat was broken into, vandalised and robbed - 5 of the 6 windows smashed, doors damaged, loads of stuff missing (which we had to list from memory with no evidence of ownership). They dealt with the claim (£3000 ish?) quickly and efficiently and didn't quibble over anything, even the replacement of the 6th undamaged window (to avoid being left with an 'odd one out'.) I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

Edited September 21, 2016 by magictime

[Markinaboat]

Thanks for your input everyone.

 

I did get a quote from Craig (had to chase him more than once though!). The policy he recommended was with Sompo Canopious, also known as Look Insurance, fairly new company of two years standing.

 

I also looked at Insure4boats. There was an exclusion against all claims if "boat is left afloat and unattended other than at the (home) mooring specified on the policy"! I called and they apologised saying that was for offshore boats ... Nuff said.

 

However, after much research and a few hours of reading policy wording, a phone call to a very pleasant and helpful lady, have gone with GJW.

 

 

[MartinC]

http://metro.co.uk/2016/01/08/man-with-suspect-package-sparks-bomb-scare-and-shuts-down-liverpool-city-centre-5610135/

[cuthound]

We had to make a claim when our boat was broken into, vandalised and robbed - 5 of the 6 windows smashed, doors damaged, loads of stuff missing (which we had to list from memory with no evidence of ownership). They dealt with the claim (£3000 ish?) quickly and efficiently and didn't quibble over anything, even the replacement of the 6th undamaged window (to avoid being left with an 'odd one out'.) I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

Who is this insurance company, or is it a secret?

[Tonka]

Most insurers require a hull durvey if over 20 or 25 years old.

 

Ive been with Towergate for years, very comprehensive and not msny 'exclusions' but so expensive.

 

SAGA do not need a survey if the vessel is over 20 years old unless it is a Springer or home built. You have to be over 50 to get their cover though

[David Mack]

 

SAGA do not need a survey if the vessel is over 20 years old unless it is a Springer or home built. You have to be over 50 to get their cover though

 

But if you're over 50, do YOU need a survey?

[Markinaboat]

http://metro.co.uk/2016/01/08/man-with-suspect-package-sparks-bomb-scare-and-shuts-down-liverpool-city-centre-5610135/

You couldn't make it up could you!

But if you're over 50, do YOU need a survey?

I wouldn't waste my money as I know it will be 'unfit for purpose'!

[Dave123]

We are with GJW too and had to claim twice for a new propeller in the space of a year but they didn't argue at all and paid up happily. RCR seem to approve of them and like dealing with them. They are wanting a hull survey as the boat is 10 years old which doesn't seem that old, but we thought that switching provider would mean a survey anyway so are going along with it.

[GUMPY]

We are with GJW too and had to claim twice for a new propeller in the space of a year but they didn't argue at all and paid up happily. RCR seem to approve of them and like dealing with them. They are wanting a hull survey as the boat is 10 years old which doesn't seem that old, but we thought that switching provider would mean a survey anyway so are going along with it.

Unusual. Loddon is 24 years old and no mention of a survey. Magnette was 40 years old and I self certified but it was fiberglass

[Markinaboat]

Ours is 16 yrs old and they (GJW) didn't require a survey today.

[Jess--]

our boat hit 25 this year (only owned by us for just over a year) and no survey asked for at renewal with GJW so it seems a little odd that you need a survey at 10 years.

 

I wonder whether the need for a survey is also tied to the insured value of the boat.

 

i.e. a 10 year old expensive boat (probably still insured for it's original build cost) represents a higher risk to them than a 25 year old boat insured for the price of a second hand 25 year old boat