International Insurance/New Caledonia

[Sectorsteve]

Hitting alot of walls in regards to getting any type of insurance - even third party. I only really want this to go into the marinas, but Topsail said no, boats too old and too small. regardless of survey. Pantenius said" we're really busy after the boat show but go online and do a quote" which i cant be bothered with their 100 questions to most likely get knocked back.
Mariner marine in New Zealand(where my boats registered) wont do it because im not there atm.
QBE in new Cal dont speak any english.
im running out of places to try.

[Jim Cate]

One time a few years back we wanted to enter a marina in Noumea when a cyclone was threatening and we had family visiting aboard. Third party insurance was required, and we were able to get coverage on a walk in basis from a local broker, and for a period of a fortnight. Wasn't very expensive, and there was an English speaking person in their office, w hich was in walking distance of the Marina Moselle. Don't remember the name for sure, but may have been QME... at any rate, they were recommended by the marina, and it all worked easily.

Jim

[Sectorsteve]

Thanks for that. This is what im hoping for. It would be nice to use the marina upon arrival and departure.

[JPA Cate]

Hello, SectorSteve,

We once were able to get term insurance in New Caledonia, there are insurance people there who speak English--and way better than my French. We had to have it to go into a marina when a cyclone was expected, but perhaps you could work something out at a distance.

When you arrive in NC, it is possible to anchor out, and even to go ashore by dinghy for the formalities. If you don't go into a marina, you will not be required to have insurance, as far as I know. There have been some changes there, since we last were there, and you should check their Customs and Immigration requirements online, for yourself, so you know what you're getting into.

There is another thread (use the Custom Google Search function, it's part of the Search menu) about Australian insurance and brokers started by Seaworthy Lass, which contains some current information. Basically, it is very difficult to get any kind of offshore insurance, and especially so, for old boats, and small ones.

For many years, we cruised without insurance of any kind. We spent money annually to keep ourselves safer, bigger anchors, GPS, that sort of thing. Now, we carry third party insurance in Australia, but it does not cover us in New Caledonia.

Ann

[Sectorsteve]

Thanks again.
i am spending about 10k on stuff but the boats as seaworthy as can be. Spent about the same in 2017 for the QLD trip.
Sounds good regarding local insurance. i called all the marinas and they all require it.
Anchoring is fine and what im used to, but it would be nice to be alongside for a day or 2 here and there.
Health/travel insurance is compulsory now but thats totally fine and easy.
Im actually fine with the no insurance thing and hopefully working it out on arrival as you did. It would just be nice to have that option to be alongside.