Insurance Matters for Dinghy Sailors

Most sailors start off  in the dinghy classes when they are young and many have fond memories of time spent in Opti's, Lasers, 420s, and many others.     Young sailors are only concerned about the boat itself (and rightly so) while the responsibility for storage, transport, maintenance and insurance falls to their parents.   If  Mom & Dad are not sailors this can be a bit confusing and overwhelming so let me demystify one important aspect of dinghy sailing for you - Insurance. 

The Cottage Boat  

If you have a Laser at the cottage the most reasonable option is adding it  to your home or cottage policy.  The home policy coverage is normally not as good as a stand-alone boat policy but it will meet the needs of most cottage sailors.   If you can't get it added to your policy then buying stand-alone coverage is easier than trying to find a new insurer for the cottage.   Caution - if you attend that one regatta on your lake each year make sure the policy does not exclude racing.

The Club Racer or Sail training boat

When you move into this category it is time to seriously consider a stand-alone boat policy.  This policy will provide better coverage for physical damage, liability protection while racing and you will deal with adjusters experienced with boat repairs if there is a claim.  Our Skippers' Plan policy for day sailors was designed for just for this type of sailor.  Pricing is reasonable and you get agreed value coverage so there is no depreciation applied on claims.    Our policy covers you while sailing anywhere in Canada and the contiguous USA (no Alaska or Hawaii) from April 1 to November 15.   The boat is also covered on shore during the winter.  If you plan on doing Mid-Winter regattas in Florida we can add an endorsement on request.

Coverage is provided for the trailer/dolly up to $1500.   This also covers you when transporting the boat behind your car or on a car-top carrier.   This is important protection if you are doing regattas away from home.  

Our policy provides Medical Coverage up to $1000 for emergency treatment not covered by Canadian Health care coverage.  If you race in the US and find yourself in an Emergency Room with a broken arm or needing stitches you will appreciate having this extra coverage.  This is something you won't likely get from your home insurance.   

The deductible on most boats is $100 and the premium ranges from $108 to $307 depending on the boat type and value.  Liability coverage is included at $1 million and can be increased to $2 million for an additional $20.   

What is not Covered?

Lock box for gear and spars

Every policy has exclusions so it is important to know what they are.  Typical exclusions include wear and tear, gradual deterioration, scratching denting and freezing.   These are the minor nicks and bruises that come from racing a boat or repeatedly launching and hauling on shore.  Dinghies aren't a good place for personal effects like phones or iPods and are not covered.  It is best to leave these on shore.    Our policy also excludes theft of equipment or outboards unless they are locked up.  If you do a lot of regattas get yourself a box on the trailer that can hold your rudder, centreboard and other gear so you can lock it up.     

If you have any questions or special needs for your dinghy give us a call and we will do our best to get you an answer and find a solution.  Call 1-800-661-7211 for a quote and we'll   send you one of our signal flag stickers for the cockpit.  They are UV protected and essential for any serious racer.   

 

Ownership Change Pending for Skippers' Plan

A New Chapter Starting Soon for the Skippers' Plan Brand

In the last two days there has been a flurry of announcements and press releases about Arthur J. Gallagher acquiring the majority interest in The Noraxis Group.   This is big news in insurance circles but not for consumers because Noraxis was really an invisible entity to the public.  So how does all this affect Skippers Plan customers?  I'm glad you asked.

 Noraxis is a group of independent insurance brokerages  of which The CG&B Group (present owner of Skippers' Plan) is a prominent member.  Once regulatory approval is received and the deal closes in July the Noraxis brokerages will be merged with the existing operations of Arthur J. Gallagher (Canada) to create the fourth largest insurance brokerage in Canada.   The new Canadian operation will be a division of Arthur J Gallagher  International which is the 4th largest global brokerage.   So as of July 1 Skippers' Plan brand will be owned by one of the top 4 brokerages in the world.   When Skipper's Plan was founded 60 years ago my Grandfather Bill Robertson aspired to reach $200,000 in gross premiums.   He could never have imagined the brand would be owned by a global brokerage like Arthur J Gallagher.

Being part of a global entity like Arthur J. Gallagher may seem like a big change to some.  I  never set out to be part of brokerage the size of AJG but I am extremely excited about our future.    Like Skippers' Plan,  AJG is a family founded organization.   We share the same background, values and entrepreneurial spirit which is a great place to start.  Truly succeeding in business is about more than just the bottom line.  A company that espouses these values is one I am excited about being part of.

After the deal closes my customers will continue to be served by the same competent team of brokers and support staff.    This was true when Robertson & Robertson became part of The CG&B Group  and it will be the same within AJ Gallagher Canada.    When I joined CG&B my clients benefitted from the additional knowledge and products that became available.     Once we become part of AJG the sky is the limit and my clients will benefit from being served by a global insurance network withe the values of a family run business.

Nobody can know for certain what the future holds but the plan is to grow with the same team  and management that brought us this far.  Behind the scenes know that we will continue to develop new products and coverage enhancements but know we are doing it with the knowledge and support of the fourth largest brokerage in the world - Our brokerage.  Our values won't change but  we are going shake up the Canadian insurance market over the next five years.  

Video of Cargo Ship in Rough Seas

It has been very busy at work so I don't have as much energy for the blog.  I will share this frightening video that was posted on vesselfinder.com

On the video below you will see a container carrier in heavy storm published on October 18, 2013. All the crew are wearing lifejackets and the ship is messed up. The container vessel is severely pitching and rolling in the heavy storm as a voice on the radio is warning its crew to be careful.  You can also hear a Mayday relay at the end of the video.

I don't have any information on what happened with the container carrier after the heavy storm but since the video was posted I like to assume they were all ok.

4th Annual WOW Regatta - Women on the Water

Announcing the 2014 WOW Regatta

 

On Saturday June 21^st, 2014, the 4^th annual WOW Women’s Regatta will be hosted at Etobicoke Yacht Club and race committee is sponsored by Port Credit Yacht Club. The Regatta is for seasoned and new women racers. Bring your boat with or without crew. We have a crew bank of women needing a ride.

 

Registration Fee is $25 per person which includes a BBQ Dinner. We will wrap up the evening with the awards presentation to which everyone (guys included) are invited, additional dinners $12.

Find more information at www.wowwomenonwater.wordpress.com or email us at wow.womenonthewater@gmail.com. There is a limit of 10 boats, so sign up fast!!! “This is the regatta to attend. We’ve had so much fun at the regattas introducing so many women to racing, and helping forge new relationships among women boaters” states Lori Mason. ‘It’s going to be a great 2014 regatta!”

 

Wow Regatta is sponsored by Skippers' Plan Insurance