Boat owners launch tide of theft claims

BOAT THEFT is rife, and insurers are warning owners to take greater care of their craft this summer.

Insurance claims for theft of items from boats and whole vessels, usually when left unattended on land, have been soaring over the past few years. Theft of smaller craft is particularly common.

General Accident, which insures about 10 per cent of the market, reports that average claims have increased from pounds 2,101 to pounds 3,699 between 1989 and the end of 1991.

'If you leave your boat lying about, it is unlikely to be there when you return,' a spokesman said. 'Anything walks if it is not properly secured and locked.'

If you are trailing a boat and stop for lunch, for example, you should park it so that you can see it clearly.

The prevalence of theft has led to the creation of Marine Watch schemes around the coast, and many police forces have marine divisions. Their advice is to mark everything of value on a boat with your postcode. This has proved effective in minimising the 'stripping' of boats, which was very common.

GA recommends that you keep all serial numbers for your boat, engines and equipment - one of the problems with small- boat theft is that it is so difficult to track them down. They can be moved to another area within days and may become untraceable.

GA also suggests you photograph your boat, fit outboard motor locks, wheel-clamp the trailer and remove all loose items when not in use.

Navigation & General Insurance, owned by Eagle Star, recommends that if a boat is left in a house driveway, it should be secured by two wheel-clamps. Better still, it should be put at the back of the house, behind a locked and bolted door with one wheel-clamp in place.

The boat insurance market is competitive, however, and this seems to be keeping a lid on premiums for the moment.

Premiums are normally set according to the value of the boat and the security of its mooring. For example, GA would charge: pounds 600 for a pounds 75,000 yacht; pounds 450 for a 21ft speedboat costing pounds 12,000; and pounds 55 for a five-year-old Wayfarer dinghy valued at pounds 1,000.

N&G quotes less for the Wayfarer - pounds 40 - because it has special insurance for that type of dinghy; pounds 550 for the yacht - if kept in a marina - and pounds 650 for the speedboat.

N&G deducts 10 per cent of the premium if a boat is kept in a well-run marina with 24-hour security, and gives up to 20 per cent no-claims discount after five years. GA offers a no- claims discount rising to 25 per cent after five years and, if your premium is over pounds 50, you can pay by six or twelve instalments.

Members of the RYA can get 10 per cent discount on insurance organised by the insurance broker Bishop Skinner. If members hold any of the approved RYA qualifications they receive further discounts: a day skipper would get an extra 5 per cent, and a yacht master 10 per cent.

Reading the small print is all-important with boat insurance. There are many instances in which the company will not pay out, and most of these are connected with security. So, if you forget to lock your outboard, leave your oars lying about in an open boat or fail to wheel-clamp your trailer, you can say goodbye to both the property and any insurance settlement.