วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 4 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2553

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วันอาทิตย์ที่ 10 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2553

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Progressive is now offering free pet injury coverage on boaters' dogs and cats.

If a boater's dog or cat is hurt in a boat accident, the company will pay the veterinary bills up to $1,000, Progressive said.

The coverage is free for those with comprehensive and collision coverage. It covers only dogs and cats if they're on a boat and injured in an incident such as a crash, theft, fire or flooding.

"Our new pet injury coverage for boaters gives them peace of mind their pets are protected if they get injured in an accident on the water," said Rick Stern, Progressive boat product manager, in a statement.

Regulator missed the boat on insurance company disclosures, says E&Y partner Ashvin Parekh

Even as insurance companies are waiting for guidelines on Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) to be issued by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), Ashvin Parekh, partner and national leader – Global Financial Services, Ernst & Young Pvt Ltd, has sharply criticised the regulators for dragging their feet over disclosure norms of insurance companies, raising the question whether investors are in a position to evaluate an IPO from an insurance company.



Speaking about the challenges in the valuation process of insurance companies at a seminar in Mumbai recently, Mr Parekh said, “Disclosures for profitability of different product lines should have been made long ago. It would have helped not just for IPOs, but also for corporate governance. But the regulators have already missed the boat by 7-8 years. The authorities kept dragging their feet on Embedded Value (EV) disclosure even after three committees have gone into it. They kept saying it was too technical for them. If it is introduced, now it is impossible for investors to get (an) accurate picture from the disclosure that will be submitted to regulators as per the new guidelines. The regulators should have taken the lead, but confirmed the age-old belief that business is always ahead of regulators.”



Hemant Kaul, managing director & CEO of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co Ltd said, “Correct valuations to shareholders may not be available. It will take a strong promoter and brave investor to complete the IPO.”


According to Mr Parekh, “Insurance company valuations can be done based on Market Consistent Embedded Value (MCEV). The valuation of Indian life insurance companies will be done differently than their counterparts from Europe because of the ‘savings’ aspect (rather) than ‘protection’. The liability from protection is much less. The valuation of a general insurance company will be trickier due to the element of reinsurance, risk on balance sheet and volatility due to external factors like calamities, etc. Life insurance in India is more stable due to (the) ‘savings’ aspect. The actuarial surplus is an important parameter for judging an insurer. The valuation should consider 14.4% taxation impact on actuarial surplus. LIC paid Rs3,800 crore tax last year on actuarial surplus. For an IPO, it is important to look at underwriting profit with not much impact from investing profit.”

วันเสาร์ที่ 18 กันยายน พ.ศ. 2553

Progressive offers boat accident insurance for pets

Progressive is now offering free pet injury coverage on boaters' dogs and cats.

If a boater's dog or cat is hurt in a boat accident, the company will pay the veterinary bills up to $1,000, Progressive said.

The coverage is free for those with comprehensive and collision coverage. It covers only dogs and cats if they're on a boat and injured in an incident such as a crash, theft, fire or flooding.

"Our new pet injury coverage for boaters gives them peace of mind their pets are protected if they get injured in an accident on the water," said Rick Stern, Progressive boat product manager, in a statement.

What you really need to know about boat insurance

Boat insurance can be a dull, sleepy subject for many boaters and anglers. So why should you care about it?

BoatUS just released a short, three-minute video about boat insurance. It covers:

-Why your knowledge of home or auto insurance won't help you one bit when buying boat insurance.

-Why you should go home tonight to check your own boat's insurance policy for "Consequential Property Damage" coverage.

Boat Sharing vs Owning a Boat

If you are a hardcore boating enthusiast or old salt who knows that you'll be distance cruising, or who wants to be able to spontaneously spend any day or night aboard whenever the whim hits you, or if you have as much fun working on boats as sailing them, or if you're particular about your personal possessions or personal space, then any form of boat sharing is probably not for you. On the other hand, boat sharing can be a fantastic option for new boaters, people on a tight budget, casual now-and-then boaters, those who want to sail in different locations without the long passages, and people with limited time to devote to the life aquatic (we've heard talk that there are other interests worth pursuing, though we've yet to see solid evidence).

Combining these different approaches can also offer a great option for those wanting to try out a number of different types of boats, and can provide a good way to see what you do and do not like before investing in a boat of your very own. You may find the boat of your dreams (or of your nightmares) by chartering, by sailing club boats, or through one of the other sharing methods. You may even find that variety is what does it for you, and you'd rather get experience on a multitude of craft all over the world than be bound to the costs and labor involved in any one particular boat and location.

Final advice: If you decide to charter, enter into a fractional ownership or timeshare, or even just join a club, shop around. We don't recommend particular boating businesses here at YachtPals.com, but you can! If you know of any good boat sharing companies and want to steer YachtPals members and readers in the right direction, or want to warn people about companies which are not so good, please spread the world using our review system.

Boat Clubs

Boat club programs are a great way for people to get time on the water, and to try a variety of boats. These clubs are often available through boating or sailing schools, boating associations, boat cooperatives and even some charter and timeshare companies. Though these boat clubs do not generally offer actual ownership of a boat, they can be a cheap and easy way to get significant time on the water, and they have many other benefits. With boat clubs you generally get access to a fleet of power boats and/or sailboats at a specific location, and some clubs offer access to boats owned by the club in other locations as well. Since there are usually many boats available, scheduling is often pretty flexible (except on holiday weekends), unlike timeshares and fractional boat ownerships where you need to plan your boat time well in advance.

The downside is that boats in these types of clubs are generally smaller, and overnight boating time may not be allowed, or may be very limited. Like with chartering, you are only renting the boats, so you won't be gaining any equity (except in some cooperatives), and sometimes these rental boats are put to hard use, and it shows. If you're thinking of going this route, it's a good idea to visit the club mid week to check out its fleet (inside and out), and then again on the weekend to see what might be available in case you had a sudden hankering (and to see how efficiently its run when busy). Also, you might see if you can rent a boat just for a day to make sure you're comfortable getting in and out of the marina before you sign up for a longer term.

วันเสาร์ที่ 14 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Boat Timeshares or Fractional Yacht Ownership

Another option for sharing a boat is using a professional boat share program. Boat timeshares or fractional yacht ownership companies can be used to handle the ins and outs of sharing a vessel while removing the personal issues, and they can be a good option. These businesses offer watercraft from little fishing boats up to huge sailing mega yachts. Some of these fractional boat ownership programs sell actual 'shares' in the vessels, and other timeshares sell 'memberships,' where the dues you pay provide you access to the boats, but no actual equity ownership. It is very important when using these types of companies to be absolutely clear about what you will and won't get for your money, and to confirm that they have clear, written rules that are enforced. Don't let that beautiful boat lull you - do the same research as you would with any major purchase, and check out the company you plan to use as well.

Whether settling on a boat timeshare or a fractional yacht ownership, make sure you get firm prices in writing on not only initial payments and annual costs, but any other costs which might be incurred. Other questions that need to be answered include things like scheduling: How much time do you get on the boat? When can you get your time on the boat, and how far in advance do you generally need to plan? What about major vacation times - everybody wants the boat during holidays and at the height of vacation season, how are these dates negotiated? Then there's ownership: What happens if a partner sells or dies? Can you sell or transfer your share? What happens to your money if you do not receive ownership deeds as part of the deal and the holding company folds? And how about responsibility: How is the boat maintained, and what assurances do you have that it will be kept in good condition? Who cleans and preps the boat? What if the boat breaks down? What happens if you come for your two weeks and the boat is a mess?

Do your research, and get everything in writing. The timeshare/fractional boat company surely won't trust your word without a check, and you shouldn't trust theirs without a clearly written contract.

Sharing a Boat with Friends

Buying a boat with friends can be a great way to get on the water for cheap, but it can also ruin friendships. What might seem like a fun and easy way to share a boat can quickly become a complicated mess, where feelings and pocketbooks take the punch. When planning to share a boat with friends, make sure you talk out all the logistics, and there are a lot of them. Don't think that it will all work out, because it probably won't, and if it's difficult to discuss before you get the boat, it will be much more difficult to discuss afterward.

To start, how will you determine who gets what dates? Does everyone understand the costs for not only buying the boat, but also the maintenance, taxes, registration, insurance, fuel, repairs, and improvements that will be needed over the years? What about labor? If one person thinks just rinsing her down once a month is enough, and one person thinks polishing every weekend is a must, this can be a real problem! Talk about how to deal with conflicts and resolutions, including how to let (or force) one owner out of his/her share. Set up a clear plan of how to get out before you ever get in!

Finally, draw up a firm written contract which you all sign. If you're talking about an expensive boat, having a lawyer look things over would also be a very good idea. If after all this you find that your passion for sharing a boat with friends has cooled a bit, count yourself lucky that you realized it before you lost the money or the friends. Many such partnerships work out well for decades, and sometimes it's the best of both worlds - like having your own boat every other weekend and finding that the maintenance fairy has come and fixed things while you were gone! Other times, it's like reliving your worst roommate experiences at many times the cost. Be careful!

Chartering a Boat

Many people prefer to experience boating by renting or chartering instead of owning their own vessel. After all, many boaters only use their watercraft for a few weekends every year, and the apparently high cost of chartering a yacht is tiny when compared to owning and maintaining one year round. Plus, you can go sailing or boating in different locations around the world if you'd like, or not - many families choose to charter the same yacht every year so that they return to a boat which starts to feel like theirs (even as far as plastering their walls with photos of it!).

The other side of this coin is to charter out your own boat. This helps defer costs and maintenance, and can be the perfect solution for those who like to cruise in the off season. Some choose to go through a charter company, and others charter out their boats on their own. Obviously, make sure that you're covered by insurance and that everything is above board whichever way you decide to go, as you don't want to get the bill for damages after some newbie uses your pride and joy to wipe out a whole dock full of mega yachts.

British Marine Federation Statistics Highlight Value of Boat Insurance

The British Marine Federation released their Spring 2010 Industry Trend Results last week in a report that will come as a welcome relief to industry professionals and enthusiasts alike. The research suggests that the marine and boating industry has managed to stay above water during the worst of the economic downturn, and is now progressing forward at what is being described as a ‘steady’ pace. But with the statistics suggesting that more crafts are due to return to Britain’s coasts and waterways, boat insurance specialists ‘Insure My Boat’ are highlighting the necessity of effective cover.

36% of the businesses consulted said that marine activity had increased over the last 6 months, as opposed to the 26% who disagreed. While this may seem negligible, it does result in a net balance of +10% which experts are citing as a good indication for continued growth during the second half of the year and into 2011. But while most would agree that the recent figures should be welcomed, it’s feared that an influx of sailors of all kinds could lead to a boost in collisions and organised crime.

David Quick, Director of Insure My Boat welcomed the return of increased opportunities for all in the marine sector, but urged caution in the face of these predictions. He said:

‘This report really does vindicate those industry professionals and enthusiasts who have stood by and supported the marine sector during the difficulties of the past few years. It would therefore be a terrible shame to see those sailors who return excitedly to the water suffer at the hands of marine craft theft or collisions of any kind. That’s why the Insure My Boat team feel that boat insurance is so essential.’

It’s clear that, should crime statistics begin to rise, the commercial marine sector will do everything it can to safeguard the crafts and possessions of private boat owners. The British Marine Federation report denotes an admirable optimism amongst those involved in the sector. As many as 40% of those surveyed viewed the coming six months as having good or excellent prospects, suggesting that criminals face a confident and united industry.

However experts are reminding commercial and private boat owners that only they have the power to truly protect their investments by sourcing effective boat insurance from a provider like Insure My Boat. The recession has reminded many sailors of the importance of protecting what equity they have, regardless of the commodity to which it is tied.

Boat Sharing

When you add up the cost of buying a boat, insurance, and marina fees, not to mention the unavoidable maintenance costs, the thought of owning a yacht (or even a small boat) may be enough to scare you right out of the water. This is particularly true in today's tough and uncertain economy, when the last thing many of us want to do is add another set of monthly bills to our financial burdens. There may be options, however, that will help you spend time on the water without spending all your hard-earned cash in the process, and you might find one is the perfect solution for you.

If you're just interested in a short vacation on a yacht, chartering a boat might work for you, as the cost is usually not much more than a stay in a nice waterfront hotel. For those wanting more time on the water, sharing a boat among other owners is a popular option, allowing you to own a yacht while distributing the costs and responsibilities. Then there are boat clubs, a good way to try out many different sailboats and power boats, and to get a feel for one that might be right for you.

วันเสาร์ที่ 20 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Sinking Boat Insurance Myths

(NAPSI)-They don't believe in the Loch Ness Monster. They don't believe a friend caught Jaws fishing off the Florida coast. Yet some boaters think adding their boat to their homeowners policy protects them from all the incidents that happen on the water.

Leading boat insurer Progressive clears up those myths and shares tips so you have the information you need to choose the right insurance for yourself and your boat.

Myth: If I list my boat on my homeowners insurance policy, it's fully protected.

Fact: In some cases, you might cover your boat by adding it to your homeowners policy instead of buying specialized insurance. But specialized boat policies cover many incidents that a homeowners policy might not. For example, coverage available from Progressive will pay to clean up the spill if your boat leaks fuel, and pull your boat out of the water if it sinks. Homeowners policies won't provide that level of specialized coverage.

Getting stranded on the water can make for a long, expensive day, so consider buying specialized insurance to get towing coverage, too.

Myth: Boat insurance won't cover my fishing equipment if it's stolen.

Fact: With specialized boat insurance, you have the option to also cover personal belongings such as fishing equipment, cell phones and binoculars. So when you're buying your policy, review available optional coverages.

Myth: Specialized boat insurance is expensive.

Fact: A Progressive boat policy starts at around $100 and can provide more coverage than if you added your boat to your homeowners insurance.

Myth: Boat insurance covers me anywhere I go boating.

Fact: Some insurance companies only provide coverage where the boat is used most, and may limit coverage to within 100 nautical miles of your home port. Progressive provides coverage virtually anywhere you decide to go in the continental U.S. and Canada.

Canceling boat insurance policy can be costly

I want to alert boat owners about a certain clause in boat insurance plans that I just stumbled across this past week. I was told by my agent that this clause is put in place by the majority of, if not all, insurance companies.

I had my boat insurance through Allstate Insurance and decided to cancel my policy due to better pricing with a competitor. Back in December, I paid for a full year of coverage. When I changed insurance companies, I received a check from Allstate for a little less than half of my annual premium.

I contacted my agent and was told that recreational vehicles (boats and motorcycles) are front-loaded, whereby the insurance company charges you more in the beginning months of your plan year than in the final months.

Therefore, in my case, I was charged for six months of coverage when I only received three months.

This is just another way for insurance companies to take advantage of the consumer, meanwhile reporting record profits. I hope one of our state or federal representatives will read this letter and do something about it.

In the meantime, boaters, beware when you are canceling your boat insurance policy.

Larry Jock

วันศุกร์ที่ 29 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2553

The right boat and yacht insurance cover for when tragedy strikes

It’s always distressing to hear about the tragedies that occur near Christmas and the New Year and, unfortunately, this time of year brings many cases of theft. Whether this is in the home, of a car or boat, without the right insurance cover there is the added cost of repair and replacement. Insure My Boat specialise in providing a variety of boat insurance including, narrowboat, dinghy and yacht insurance to help people protect their belongings against such crime.

There has been recent news just before Christmas about a boat theft on the Isle of Wight which has led to the call for any witnesses to come forward. Descriptions of the boat have been given and those companies within the boating industry are helping with the investigation, Insure My Boat being one of them.

Of course as much as this is distressing, it does highlight the importance of boat and yacht insurance regardless of what vessel you own. With so many different types of insurance out there it’s important to know of companies that provide a variety to choose from to ensure that you are fully covered at the best price possible.

“Insure My Boat provides a service which enables people to efficiently find the cover they need without the hassle of searching for hours. Our website allows people to find the right insurance they need at a click of a button so they can rest assured should incidences occur, we have provided the right cover for them.” David Quick. MD

The ongoing recession has meant that many people have struggled this Christmas and therefore are looking for cheaper alternatives to reduce outgoings. With this in mind, Insure My Boat pride themselves on providing a service that ensures people don’t have to reduce their spending on necessities such as insurance.

Unfortunately, the recession has also meant that theft has increased and there are many people that are being victims of crime. With this in mind, its essential people are aware of where they can turn to get the right cover they need to be able to claim should incidences occur that cannot be predicted.

No one likes the thought of their belongings being stolen or vandalised but reality shows that it does happen and people need to be prepared. Of course, insurance is essential and with Insure My Boat you can ensure that your yacht and boat is covered to your requirements.

Boat insurance protects against weather damage

Boat owners are better off leaving their boats at the mercy of the ice than taking their chances trying to get them out, boat insurance providers have warned.

Craftinsure has customers who have tried to free their boats from ice; one spent the night trying to keep it at bay from their river cruiser in the Lake District, but the insurer warns they might do more harm than good.

As frozen slipways make it virtually impossible to take boats out of the water, it is safer for the boat and its owner to leave boats where they are trapped on icebound lakes and inland waterways until the ice melts, Craftinsure has said.

Surveyors and other marine trade experts are reassuring boat owners that even thick ice does not pose a particularly big threat to moored boats, but that breaking the ice and trying to remove them could cause damage to the paintwork and protective coatings.

Boat owners could also be putting their own safety at risk by trying to break through the ice, Craftinsure warns.

But boat owners should still be aware of the risks of cold weather to their boats, the boat insurance company said. For example running the heat and engines can help things from freezing up internally, though it probably will have little affect on the outside and water temperatures could be well below freezing.

Boats that are on dry land are still at risk too, even those inside are not safe from the perils of snow, as one boat insurance customer found when their barn roof collapsed under the weight of the snow and landed on their boat inside.

Where possible, snow should be removed from boat roofs, and they should be winterised as much as possible as engines are at risk from frost damage. Those who are affected will usually be covered by their boat insurance in this instance, Craftinsure reassures owners.

When the snow starts to melt, owners should also be on the lookout, the insurer warns: "As and when the thaw finally arrives, owners need to check their boats over carefully, and in some cases they made need to prepare for the additional risk of flooding as water levels rise again."

"For those living aboard, ensure the boat remains ventilated to minimise the risk of a build up of noxious fumes/gases, especially where naked flame type heating is in use. Avoid leaving such heaters unattended, and under no circumstances should combustible material such as clothing or paper be left on top of heaters of this type in case of fire."

วันอาทิตย์ที่ 10 มกราคม พ.ศ. 2553

Insure My Boat Emphasises The Importance Of Yacht Insurance After Thefts Occur Near Christmas

It’s always distressing to hear about the tragedies that occur near Christmas and the New Year and, unfortunately, this time of year brings many cases of theft. Whether this is in the home, of a car or boat, without the right insurance cover there is the added cost of repair and replacement. Insure My Boat specialise in providing a variety of boat insurance including, narrowboat, dinghy and yacht insurance to help people protect their belongings against such crime.

There has been recent news just before Christmas about a boat theft on the Isle of Wight which has led to the call for any witnesses to come forward. Descriptions of the boat have been given and those companies within the boating industry are helping with the investigation, Insure My Boat being one of them.

Of course as much as this is distressing, it does highlight the importance of boat and yacht insurance regardless of what vessel you own. With so many different types of insurance out there it’s important to know of companies that provide a variety to choose from to ensure that you are fully covered at the best price possible.

“Insure My Boat provides a service which enables people to efficiently find the cover they need without the hassle of searching for hours. Our website allows people to find the right insurance they need at a click of a button so they can rest assured should incidences occur, we have provided the right cover for them.” David Quick. MD

The ongoing recession has meant that many people have struggled this Christmas and therefore are looking for cheaper alternatives to reduce outgoings. With this in mind, Insure My Boat pride themselves on providing a service that ensures people don’t have to reduce their spending on necessities such as insurance.

Unfortunately, the recession has also meant that theft has increased and there are many people that are being victims of crime. With this in mind, its essential people are aware of where they can turn to get the right cover they need to be able to claim should incidences occur that cannot be predicted.

No one likes the thought of their belongings being stolen or vandalised but reality shows that it does happen and people need to be prepared. Of course, insurance is essential and with Insure My Boat you can ensure that your yacht and boat is covered to your requirements.

Safe Boating Class starts Tuesday

An eight-week public Safe Boating Class leading to a boater education card will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Arts Center Building Room 101 at Clatsop Community College. The class will include six weeks of lectures and discussions on safe boating operations, including piloting, required equipment, rules of the road, charts, compass, training an alternate skipper and more. One week will be dedicated to review of state and federal boating regulations, and the final week will be for an exam.

The cost for the class is $40 (family members or friends can share the course manual) and $15 for the plotter and divider needed for the course.

Mandatory boater education is now the law in Oregon and Washington, and the boater education card also saves money on boat insurance. All Oregon boaters need the card to operate or supervise youth operating a boat greater than 10 horsepower. Youth 12 to 15 years old operating a boat with 0 to 10 horsepower and all personal watercraft operators need a card. Boaters can be fined $97 for not having a card.

The state of Washington will issue a card to Washington residents completing this course. Their law states that all boaters younger than 30 years old must have a card.

Experienced boaters and qualified instructors from the Lower Columbia Power Squadron and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will teach the course. These organizations have worked jointly instructing this course for more than a decade on the North Coast. The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators also approves this course.

New Year brings new boating laws

TAMPA – The New Year will bring about changes in Florida’s boating laws.

Effective Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, Florida boat operators born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 must complete and pass an approved boating safety education course to operate a motorboat of 10 horsepower or more.

The new law changes the age threshold for Florida boater education requirements; in 2010 it is to be based on whether or not boaters were born on or after Jan. 1, 1988.

Boaters in this age group must have in their possession photographic identification (i.e. driver’s license) and a Boating Safety Education Identification Card issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The card is valid for life.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers region-wide safe boating programs which meet the new Florida requirements. Upon successful completion of any course, the Auxiliary issues a handsome certificate and a form that participants use to apply for the Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card from the FWC.

Participants completing the course may be eligible for boat insurance discounts.

One Auxiliary program, Boating Skills and Seamanship, is the most comprehensive safe boating presentation available to the public and is available at several Auxiliary flotillas around Tampa Bay. It presents the marked differences between off-shore and protected waters boating, boat handling and trailering techniques, on-board safety equipment required by state and federal law for recreational vessels and demonstrates marine VHF radio use. Presented in 12 easily-digestible increments, topics include:

- Weather - Understanding wind, waves, currents and other factors affecting boats.

- Boat Equipment - Operation/safety items; BUI/substance abuse issues, PFD use.

- Boat Handling - Heavy weather handling; anchoring: docking; man overboard retrieval.

- ‘Highway’ Signs - Buoyage systems; chart reading; electronic navigation.

- Rules of the Road - Inland/International rules; stand-on/give-way issues.

- Navigation - Course plotting; compass/chart/GPS use; speed-time-distance calculations.

- Marine Radios - Operation; DSC technology; distress/urgency/safety call procedures.

In Tampa, the BS&S program is offered at the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 79 building, 5108 W. Gandy Boulevard (Gandy Boat Ramp). The program runs on Wednesdays, from 7:30 PM -9:30 PM and is scheduled on a looping basis – boaters begin any Wednesday and continue until all 12 chapters are complete. Cost is $60 per person and includes textbook, certificate and wallet card. Details are available by calling 813-835-4118 or by visiting cgwebs.net/flotilla79 and using the ‘public programs’ link.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers safe boating programs in Brandon, Gulfport, Ruskin, St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg Beach, other Pinellas County communities and in Hernando, Manatee, Pasco and Sarasota counties.

To find a course, visit cgaux.net and use the “Flotilla Finder” link.

More information about FWC boating laws is available at: www.myfwc.com/SAFETY/Safety_Boat_Safety

Founded in 1939, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the civilian, all-volunteer arm of the U.S. Coast Guard. Its primary mission is to provide boating safety education and to support Coast Guard missions. The Auxiliary is the nation’s most active boating educator, offering programs to over 100,000 boaters annually.

In the Tampa Bay area, more than 500 Auxiliarists perform boating education, underway port security and safety patrols and other duties in support of Coast Guard missions.