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Rigging Inspection & Insurance


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Hi folks,

 

I was talking to a rigger recently who was cautioning me about insurance companies not paying out if you have a rigging/mast failure and you haven't got a current (>10 years) inspection.

 

Our insurance company have never requested this, but this of course doesn't mean that they won't try to use it to wiggle out of a payout.

 

Does anyone know if there is truth to this?

 

Cheers

 

Al

 

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The insurance polices I've read don't normally cover rigs or sails, unless you get it specified, normally as 'racing insurance'. Then if the rig and sails are covered, there is usually a 'market value' kind of clause, i.e. not replacement value, and they run a very steep depreciation on them. I've got a vague idea your lucky to get a third of the cost of replacement. But the depreciation will be at a max over 10 yrs, so if its 9 years old you'd get 10% of the replacement cost.

 

This does depend on your specific insurance policy and specific clauses for rigs and sails. But if your policy did cover replacement value for rig and sails, I'd expect the policy to cost so much you'd be the type of person that could afford a whole new rig without blinking.

 

To be non-specific, I would have thought you'd be pissing into the wind trying to get a payout if the standing rigging was older than 10 yrs, and even more hopeful if it hadn't been inspected within 10 yrs. There is almost always a catch all clause the the vessel 'must be maintained in a proper and seaworthy manner'. I'd say this would preclude at the least, no inspection within 10 yrs, and probably standing rigging older than 10 yrs.

 

Note, I'm not an insurance specialist, I just read all my insurance policies for fun.

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We get it checked every year regardless. I don’t like the idea of the rig falling down. I dislike the idea of the rig falling down for some stupid reason even more.

Over the years we have found cracked rigging screws, cracked spreader and a worn shroud thingammy. All of which would have resulted in a catastrophic failure somewhere.

 

I think that if we service the engine regularly why wouldn’t we service the mast? It’s better insurance that any policy.

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We get it checked every year regardless. I don’t like the idea of the rig falling down. I dislike the idea of the rig falling down for some stupid reason even more.

Over the years we have found cracked rigging screws, cracked spreader and a worn shroud thingammy. All of which would have resulted in a catastrophic failure somewhere.

 

I think that if we service the engine regularly why wouldn’t we service the mast? It’s better insurance that any policy.

pretty solid logic

can I ask size of the boat and approx how much an inspection costs?

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Most insurers will take a ‘reasonable’ use to your rigging. If you buy a boat that has sailed offshore (eg just arrived in NZ) then most insurers insist you replace the rigging immediately unless it’s a newish boat. If the boat is used for NZ cruising then below 10yrs is ok, 10-15yrs gets a bit grey, then 15yrs+ any failure you are on your own. If you race then the general opinion is around 7yrs is the cut-off.

 

When I bought a 10yr old cruiser I paid for a professional rigging inspection and kept the “All OK” email report on file.

 

If in doubt, give your insurer (or broker) a call.

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