Claims - being Pro-Active

Machinery Breakdown

Your policy is designed to protect you against fortuitous loss or damage, subject to the terms and conditions in place. Whilst this provides peace of mind it does not compensate for business interruption that may result. Machinery breakdown and flooding continue to be the main cause of claims. Being pro-active will not only protect your No Claims Bonus (up to 35%), but will also minimise valuable lost 'down time'. We would remind owners to ensure that machinery is maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications. Regular oil analysis is a simple and effective procedure which can help identify any potential problems before they occur thus avoiding costly breakdowns and lost sea time.

Fire


On the 31st January 2007, the Company experienced it's largest claim ever reported. The 142m factory processor trawler, "Willem Van Der Zwan", was destroyed by fire whilst undergoing repairs in the Netherlands, (Velsennoord). The fire quickly spread throughout the vessel and burned for several days causing disruption to local businesses, before it was eventually brought under control. Theactual impact of this loss on the Company was reduced by the prudent  reinsurance programme  that is in place.

Our claims manager Matt Allsopp notes the following in relation to our branch office 'fire loss' experiences.   

“The biggest concern about the fires inspected this year is the fact that the majority of them could have been prevented.  One of the biggest causes of fire in our ageing fleet is the exhaust systems, which in a number of vessels are sadly neglected. Time and money is spent on the main engine but all too often the exhaust is an after thought. Often an un-maintained exhaust can clog up with various matters that are highly flammable and can remain so for many hours.  A trip may have been successful but several hours after the vessel is shut down, the fire that has been smouldering in the exhaust can ignite without any prior warning. By then it’s almost too late to react.