Boat
owners looking to adopt New Year resolutions are being asked to consider River
Canal Rescue membership. The breakdown
and emergency assistance firm estimates only 15% of owners are members, yet
call-out numbers are increasing.
River
Canal Rescue says out of the 70,000 or so boats currently registered on the
waterways, only 10,500 have a 24/7 support mechanism in place, the remainder -
85% - appear happy to adopt the ‘it’ll never happen to me’ philosophy.
And
with this year’s call-out levels topping 3700 by 1 December 2013 - 20%* higher
than 2012’s overall tally of 3100 - RCR Managing Director, Stephanie Horton,
says this is a risky strategy: “We assisted many owners who failed to service
and maintain their boats before setting off on their first journey of the year,
but this is really the tip of the iceberg.
The total number of people encountering problems must be huge.”
Maintenance
oversights and failure to take out breakdown cover are often due to financial
strain - however those with RCR membership consider it essential. In a recent Facebook poll, RCR asked site
visitors to identify the one thing they would not give up if their finances
became stretched; 58% said RCR Breakdown Cover, 16% boat maintenance, a further
16% pet insurance and 10% car breakdown cover.
Stephanie
concludes: “Owners clearly value the peace of mind our cover gives over their
own boat maintenance. Whilst the
majority may consider RCR membership an unnecessary expense, it’s worth
remembering that if you do breakdown or require emergency assistance, the
overall cost will be much higher.”
River
Canal Rescue membership starts at £55 per year, four levels of cover are
available and replacement parts cover is included or can be added to
membership. To find out more, visit www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk or call 01785 785680.
