In
response to the increasing number of insurance related call-outs it is
receiving, River Canal Rescue has launched a new Incident Care Service which
helps boat owners manage their claims and recover costs* following an
emergency.
The
Service is run by RCR’s Canal Contracting team who take control of the
insurance claim. They get the boat out
of danger and to a location where it can be worked on, identify the nearest
facilities, provide a diagnostic engineer, arrange estimates for repairs,
liaise with insurers and contractors, source and deliver claims forms and
explain ‘next steps’ and how the claim will progress.
In
2013, the breakdown and emergency assistance firm was asked to help progress
claims and liaise with insurers in 73%** of insurance call-outs, prompting RCR
Managing Director, Stephanie Horton, to create the Service. Since January this year, 86%** of insurance call-outs
have been handled by the Incident Care team.
Stephanie
comments: “Whilst insurers, in the main, are very good at progressing claims
quickly, there’s still a fair bit of legwork often needed to get the claim to
the stage where it can move ahead. Getting
the boat to safety and sourcing insurance information and repairers/contractors
can be tiresome for people, particularly at what can be an emotional and
stressful time, so we do it for them.
“By
taking control of the situation we not only calm frayed nerves but reduce
damage costs and speed up claims’ resolution, which claimants and insurers both
appreciate.”
The
service costs £50 which is usually added to the claim, however Stephanie
reminds that call centre staff are
always available to advise free of charge, what to do next if there’s been an
accident or the vessel is in danger, sunk, vandalised or had a fire, and offer
assistance in getting back on track.
Call
01785 248793 out of hours or 01785 785685 to go direct though to the canal
contracting team during office hours - lines are open 24/7, 365 days a
year. To find out more about River Canal
Rescue visit www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk
Ends
Notes to Editors
*Subject
to policy terms and conditions.
**Based
on 117 insurance-related call-outs received from Jan 2013 to Dec 2013, 85
call-outs used ‘Incident Care’, 32 did not.
85 as a % of 117 = 72.6%. Jan –
April 2014 51 insurance-related call-outs, 44 used ‘Incident Care’, 7 did
not. 44 as a % of 51 = 86.2%.
Case
Studies
Owner
of a new 60ft wide beam 'Skylark' got caught in a lock on the Leeds and
Liverpool canal and damaged rudder and skeg.
Required lift out for towing and repair – there were no dry docks
available within a 30mil radius and a crane was arranged at a boat yard 10
miles away.
Owner
of 57ft narrow boat hit something underwater on the Bridgewater Canal and
damaged the prop and stern tube, urgently requiring dry docking.
Owner
with a 30ft cruiser on
the Bridgewater Canal – suffered problems with outdrive and required dry
docking for repairs.
Owner of a 35ft cruiser on the river Wey,
smashed window, heavy rain caused boat to nearly sink. Engineer on site next
day, boarded window and pumped vessel out.
Owner of 45ft narrow boat stuck in reeds near
weir on the River Avon, rudder snapped off, rescued from location, arranged
temporary rudder and recovered vessel to local boat yard.
Owner of a 40ft narrow boat on the Trent
& Mersey canal reported boat sinking, arranged rescue team to attend and
pump out boat and first aid – minimal damage
Owner of 60ft Narrow boat on River Nene,
blown into the reeds and then grounded when trying to turn. Rescue team on hand within 8 hrs, boat
recovered, safely refloated and cruised to safe location.
