Poppy

Mooring in Upton Dyke as we do, we are often asked where the pub is. When they hear they can't step off the boat into the bar, but have to take a five or ten minute walk they turn around and go out again. Sad indeed.

I'm not sure that they will this time. The problems we will have to face now will impact everyone. That wasn't the case in 2007/8.

We are no closer to knowing when we may again be able to make use of our boats again. I received an email from the RYA today with some very useful information regarding insurance whilst effectively laid up, either ashore or afloat. The relevant text follows: "Lockdown insurance update from Bishop Skinner Marine Expert advice on how to ensure that your insurance policy accurately reflects how you use your boat With the current COVID-19 pandemic forcing the country into lockdown, boat owners are facing the reality that, in many cases, they cannot visit their boats let alone get out on the water. Bishop Skinner Marine has been hearing from many RYA members asking how this affects their boat insurance policies ‒ do they need to amend their policy, and even whether they need to bother insuring their boat at all this year? As a pleasure craft insurance specialist and a partner with the RYA for over 30 years, Bishop Skinner Marine is well placed to provide advice on this matter. We have received a number of enquiries from RYA members suggesting that they are considering not insuring their boat this year. Obviously, this is an individual decision and you should consider a number of factors, including the type and value of the boat, how the boat is used, where it is kept and whether you feel from a financial perspective you can afford to effectively self-insure if the boat is not in use. Whilst it is not a legal requirement in the UK to insure your boat, in reality it is very difficult to keep a boat or get out on the water without some sort of insurance in place. If you keep your boat in a marina, sailing club or on most other types of mooring, it will ordinarily be a requirement that you have at least arranged third party liability insurance for your boat and it will be a condition of your contract to ensure you have the minimum cover required in place. One issue owners of older boats may be concerned about is the difficulty in arranging a condition survey in order to renew your policy. If you are an existing Bishop Skinner Marine ‘Crystal Waters’ customer, I am pleased to confirm that it has been confirmed that we will be able to defer condition survey requirements for 12 months, subject to you being claim free for the previous 12 months. You should also keep in mind the fact that most insurance policies are covering you for far more than simply sailing your boat. Whilst the likelihood of collisions, underwater gear claims and racing incidents are reduced, insurers are already beginning to see an increase in crime related losses and there is concern that we may see an uplift in claims such as theft of equipment and outboard motors, malicious damage and arson. As always, it is important to ensure that your insurance policy accurately reflects how you use your boat and we would certainly recommend you review your current policy to ensure you are not paying for cover you no longer require, such as racing cover, skipper charter cover or specific trips or voyages. Another option some boat owners are considering is whether to change their insurance policy to ‘laid up’ afloat or ashore. For some boat owners this may well be the sensible thing to do but please bear in mind this may not necessarily reduce your insurance premium. Historically insurers are often reluctant to insure boats on a ‘laid up’ basis, especially when afloat, due to concerns around boats being left unattended, leading to a lack of maintenance which could lead to incidents such as sinking and also an increased risk of the vessel becoming a target for theft or malicious damage. With this in mind, it is not uncommon that premiums can actually increase when a boat is laid up compared to when it is in commission. A final thing to remember is that, if you have reduced cover to a “laid up” basis, it will be your responsibility to ask your insurer to increase cover back to “in commission” when we are finally allowed to get back on the water. As mentioned, insurers are always concerned when boats are left unattended for long periods of time and most insurance policies will include conditions relating to “keeping the boat in a seaworthy condition” and exclusions relating to “lack of maintenance” and “gradual ingress of water”. In the current lockdown, the majority of us will be unable to visit our boats for long periods and there is an obvious risk that losses may occur which would usually be preventable through regular attendance and maintenance. With this in mind, Bishop Skinner Marine is currently speaking with insurers about how they will react to these types of claims and we will try our hardest to ensure our clients are not penalised for claims that result from factors over which they had little control due to the restrictions in place. At Bishop Skinner Marine, we appreciate what a worrying time this is for many RYA members. Whilst we are all coming to terms with the fact we will not be able to spend as much time on the water this year as we would like, it is still important that you have the correct insurance cover in place to protect your boat. We are here to provide specialist insurance advise to all members and we would love to hear from you to discuss your insurance requirements." NB. It is of course a legal requirement to insure your boat at least 3rd party on the Broads . The gist of the issue is that we should be checking wth our insurer for our individual situation.

I trust that if we aren't allowed to travel out by certain countries then their citizens will recieve equal treatment here

We've been doing that for 30 years or more. The long haul jaunts in the winter are a recent thing . We are luck to be able to afford it.

As Marshy hasalready said, my th0ughts and opinions as posted on this thread are in no way directed at any company or individual. I could easily have been affected by the impact of the virus on the travel industry, but health issues intervened, preventing a visit to the Tropics this winter. From what I have seen in other fora, there are many thousands in similar situations and I've been pondering on this for a while, in fact since the TC collapse. It can't go on, or confidence in the entire holiday industry will be badly damaged, more so than it has been already. Things must change.

The business model of holiday providers needs to be looked at then. The cash flow is from bookings completed ( or about to be) . Until I take the holiday which I have booked, the deposit /full payment monies belong to me, unless I breach contact in some way. As it happens, I have had a builder carry out some work . The cost was considerably more that that of any holiday I have taken. NO payment was due or requested until the work was finished to our satisfaction. If I buy a house, deposit money is held by a solicitor in a secure client account. Both sides are therefore protected.

Well whoever it is, it sure as hell won't be that bloke who lives on Nekar Island or his like !

Very good analysis. It occurs to me that Solicitors are now required ( and have beenfor some time ) to keep a 'client account' for monies held on their behalf. Perhaps the time is overdue for a similar arrangement to be a requirement for the travel and holiday industry.

As has been pointed out earlier some nay not be in a position to 'just sit tight and see what happens.' They could well be jobless because of this, and need every penny available to fund rent or mortgage payments. It's not only business that's finding the Banks to be, at best 'unhelpful' at present .

Dr Google knows

Breaking https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52483453 "Firms that fail to refund people for holidays and weddings cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak could face legal action by the consumer watchdog. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says it will take companies to court if they flout the law."

Frozen taste better

*Coronadose* An overdose of bad news from consuming too much media during a time of crisis. Can result in a panicdemic. See more like this in Today's jokes.

One wonders if the Police have nothing better to do !

The cost of employing a solicitor for a solicitor under small claims may not be recovered under any judgement.

We are advised that it's a good rule of thumb to give ourselves a solid financial cushion of around three months' essential outgoings available . So if you lose your job, for example, it'll help buy you three months to find a new one. Is this not also aplicable to business ?

They won't get away with it . "Amid anger over the stalling tactics, the Financial Ombudsman Service, which adjudicates on complaints between banks and their customers, said: “We recognise this is an unprecedented situation but there is no reason not to process these claims as usual.” https://www.theweek.co.uk/106845/why-are-banks-blocking-lost-holiday-repayments i

They have to - it's the law. However there are some provisos. "A Section 75 claim should not be your first port of call. You should always attempt to get a refund from the retailer you bought from beforehand." More here https://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/credit-cards/guides/section-75-protection.html

But it's surprising how many still don't for various reasons of their own. Don't understand them myself.

Every reason to pay on a credit card. Claim back under section 75 (that's the phrase apparently), then let the card issuer sort it with the holiday company or whoever.

D'you think we could ease the lockdown for 'special interest groups' such as.... oh, let me see.... Lycra Louts, and encourage them to go whirling about the countryside in mass packs for a few days...? D'you think that'll trigger a 'second peak', but largely composed of Lycra Louts and MAMILS, and the air would be a lot cleaner and more wholesome for the rest of us when they've gone? Merit a 'Petition To Parliament'...? Whadya think?

And who sets the the fairly straight forwards list of what is permitted ? A drive to somewhere 'for exercise' may or may not be permitted, depending on how long the exercise is, Then of course there's the chance of an accident. Meanwhile it seems you can throw yoyr leg over the crossbar andcycle all day, should that be your 'bag'. And we all know that cyclists don't have accidents, don't we ?

That depends on what "stay at home" means. It would certainly be 100 miles or so, whereas 10 miles?