Crick Boat Show Winners Confirmed

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At the end of May this year, Assist Insurance attended the Crick Boat Show.  The Crick Boat Show was celebrating its 20th show this year and we were there to provide useful information about insuring your narrowboat, barge, widebeam, livaboard or inland waterways boat. As one of the UK’s leading leisure insurance companies, we also provide insurance for a range of other boats, such as motor cruisers, speed boats, yachts and dinghies so the Assist Insurance team were on hand to answer any questions.

We had the most beautiful weather throughout the days we were there and although one morning it did rain heavily for about half an hour, this was it and the event was a complete success.  Throughout the 3 days of the Crick Boat Show, the Assist Insurance team met both existing customers and potential new ones and lots of people brought their dogs, which was enjoyable for us too.

The Crick Boat Show this year was bigger and better than ever, with hundreds of boats to view. There were free boats trips, boat handling sessions and seminars to extend your knowledge about all things boating. There was also music, entertainment and plenty of food and drink options.

We were giving away goodie bags, which had a number of nice treats inside such as floating keyrings, notebooks, pens and our waterproof mobile phone holders with lanyards, which went down especially well.   Everyone who visited us at our stand collected their goodie bag and also had the opportunity to enter into our free prize draw, where we were giving away to one lucky winner one year’s free insurance for their boat.

The prize draw took pace on the 1st July and we are delighted to announce that the winner is…

Mr & Mrs Hilling, Congratulations!!

We contacted Mr & Mrs Hilling who were absolutely delighted to win this years prize draw, which is one years free insurance for their narrowboat.

We would like to thank everyone who came to the stand, entered the prize draw and had a chat with us.   We look forward to doing it all again next year.  For those of you who asked to be contacted when your boat insurance is due for renewal we will be in touch closer to your renewal date.

Until next year….

Lutine Lineslip Regatta 2019

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Earlier this month, Assist Insurance Services Ltd once again took part in the Insurance industries Lutine Lineslip Regatta, which is a two-day prestigious sailing and social event for the insurance industry. With many of the insurance industries top insurers participating in this prestigious event, Assist were up against some tough opposition. Coupled with some very tough weather conditions cancelling any racing on the second day! However, with 4 races on the first day, the Assist team managed to achieve one first place, two seconds and a disappointing sixth position, resulted in the team securing second overall! Our Beneteau F40 ‘Lancelot II’ certainly served the team well!

The event has been held for the last 19 years and runs in conjunction with Lloyd’s of London, home of the most respected insurers in the UK.

This was designed as a fun and busy yet competitive couple of days and provides a good opportunity to network with industry peers, whilst also fundraising for a good cause. This year we were fundraising for the AHOY centre, a water sports based charity changing the lives of people and building life skills through sailing. AHOY provide opportunities for disadvantaged and at-risk youths and work in the community to help others.

The 2019 Assist Insurance team were Steve Leech (Director) Kate Buckley (HR) Liam McWeeney  (Compliance), Dayle Williams (Customer Services) and sailing with Assist were: Tony Harris (KGM Underwriting Services), Olly Mays (Canopius), Gary Eastman (Bramptons) and Ian Collier (Tingdene Marinas).

 

The Crick Boat Show 2019

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Jet Ski Insurance Cover

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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

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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.

 

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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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Yacht Insurance

Beginners’ Guide to Yachts

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Yacht InsuranceWhen 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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Buying a New Narrowboat

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The start of a new year is often a time when we decide to put our long-held dreams into action. If you’ve always dreamed of owning a narrowboat, but didn’t know where to start, then here are a few general tips and things to think about.

How will you be using your narrowboat?

You may want a narrowboat as a weekend retreat to get away from the stresses of modern life. You could use your narrowboat for family holidays, cruising around Britain’s canals, or even as a permanent residence, providing accommodation in a beautiful location at a fraction of the cost of a ‘bricks and mortar’ home. Whatever your plans, it’s a good idea to experience narrowboat cruising by renting a boat. You can try out different types of boat at different times of year, while exploring a wide range of locations, which will help you decide what’s best for you.

Where do you want to cruise?

Where you’ll be using your narrowboat will have a crucial impact on the type of boat you buy. Our canals and rivers have evolved over 200 years, so the locks, bridges and tunnels vary in width, length and height. Smaller vessels will be easier to manoeuvre and some parts of the canal network will be completely inaccessible to larger boats (both in terms of length and width). For a detailed list of the accessibility of Britain’s canals according to the size of narrowboats and barges, see the Canal and Rivers Trust.

What size of boat?

Of course, this will be influenced by how you intend to use your boat. A narrowboat can be used for cruising almost any waterway and consequently they are the most common types of boats seen on Britain’s canals and rivers. They are generally 6ft 10inches (2.1m) wide and can be up to 72 feet (22m) long. However, 30 – 40 feet (9.1 – 12.2m) is usually ample for leisure cruising and 50 feet (15.24m) provides good living space.

If you’re looking to cruise on canals in Yorkshire, then your boat should ideally be no more than 56 feet long (17m) as all the locks are shorter in this area.

Barges and wide beams can be up to 14ft 6inches wide (4.4m) providing quite spacious accommodation but you are likely to be restricted on where you can cruise in them. Visiting a boat show, such as the Crick Boat Show gives you the opportunity to look at lots of different sorts of boats and talk to boat owners, which will help you to decide which type of narrowboat, barge or wide beam you would like.

Buying a new boat

New narrowboats, barges and wide beams are generally bought directly from boatyards, with costs that vary considerably depending on the size and specification. However, staff at the boatyards will be able to give you ballpark figures. As with any significant purchase, check the financial stability of the supplier and compare purchase costs as well as details of the warranty provided.

It’s most likely that your narrowboat will be hand-built to your specification. This will take many weeks, or even months to complete, so make sure that all your requirements are fully understood and agreed in detail at the outset. Most importantly, make sure that the price and delivery date are clear and be prepared to visit the boat builder at intervals during the build. Many boat builders use a British Marine Federation Standard Contract, which releases the ownership of the boat in stages. It details when you pay out, and should you encounter any problems, it enables you to take ownership of any completed work.

Insurance

Before you take ownership of your boat, you’ll need a good narrowboat insurance policy in place. Assist Insurance Services Ltd are specialists in narrowboat insurance and provide flexible policy options, tailored to your individual needs. Call the Assist Insurance customer service team on 01604 946 779 who will be able to guide you through the process to ensure that you have the right cover for your narrowboat or for more information, go to Narrowboat Insurance.

The information provided here are general tips on buying a new narrowboat and later this month we will provide you with some more general tips on buying a used narrowboat, if this is your preferred choice.

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Narrowboat Security

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If you live on a narrowboat, or you continue to use it throughout the winter, it’s a good idea to review your security practices at this time of year as daylight is in short supply. You may also find that new technology is available and/or more affordable to help you protect your narrowboat.

Some security measures are a requirement of your narrowboat insurance policy, while others will provide you with greater peace of mind. Although your insurance will help to cover the financial cost of a break-in, the emotional cost may be higher. Of course, it depends on how much you want to spend and how worried you are about security, but here is a general guide to narrowboat security.

Hatch, doors and windows

These entry points are potentially the most vulnerable, so make sure that they are in a good state of repair and as secure as they can be.

  • Doors should be made from strong solid timber and they can have steel skins for extra strength.
  • Interior wooden window shutters provide additional security as well as insulation and privacy.
  • Use strong, high-quality window locks and cylinder padlocks, and secure hatches and doors with heavy-duty internal hasps.

Moveable items

  • If you’re leaving your narrowboat for any length of time, take your valuables home with you. If you live on-board your boat, then mark them with an indelible ‘invisible’ marker and keep them out of site when you’re not there.
  • Keep the shutters or curtains drawn on the towpath side.
  • If you keep bicycles on the roof of your narrowboat, then use a conventional bicycle lock and chain to prevent them from simply being lifted from the roof.
  • Lockable roof boxes can be used to store fishing tackle, tools, etc.
  • Protect your fuel – fit a lockable filler cap.

Security devices

  • A range of alarms is available for narrowboats and many operate in a similar way to car alarms, powered by a 12V battery. Some alarms will send a text message to you when activated.
  • GPS trackers can act as a deterrent – they can monitor the location of your narrowboat and notify you and the police if your boat is moved for any reason.
  • PIR (passive infrared) security lighting is activated when someone approaches and can also be a good deterrent.
  • Energy-efficient LED lighting on a timer switch can help your narrowboat to look occupied.
  • Engine immobilisers prevent the engine from being started so a potential thief is unable to move the boat.

Moorings

  • Firstly, only moor where you feel safe. You may choose to moor in a marina, so check out their security measures.
  • In urban areas, it’s advisable to use chains or steel rope when mooring. As we approach the ‘silly season’ there’s an increased risk of having your boat cast off by people after a night out on the beer. It might seem like a good prank to them without realising the distress it can cause. If you’re unable to use a chain, then use a heavy-duty rope and attach cable-ties around the loose ends of the mooring knot so that it’s harder to untie.

There is plenty that you can do to improve your narrowboat security, so by reviewing your security measures on a regular basis, you can protect your narrowboat and give yourself some peace of mind.

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