UNDER COVERED?

We are starting to see the first signs of a turn in season. Young and frankly not so young, would be crew members are starting to come to Lauderdale and book their entry level courses. These days we don't just teach them what the rules require but try and provide them with an insight into what is expected of them in a yachting job. Most ask all the right questions about the industry and contrary to what many say in these very forums, most of the newbies we see are humble and determined to succeed, not freeloading backpackers.

One question that keeeps coming up more and more these days, is the issue of insurance or health coverage. Many crewmembers are apparently unaware of the coverage that their yacht extends to them. Sadly in many cases, the only time you find out is when you are forced to make a large claim only to realise too late that you are not covered. I asssume that the reason the topic is coming up more and more is related to the fact that crew members both new and experienced, are realising that salaries are not what they once were and inevitably the overall package including health becomes of more significance.

Having discussed the coverage most boats offer with freinds in the business, it has been more of an eye opener to find out that many expereinced crew members do not know exactly what their boat covers them for. Very few people seem to be aware of the limits.

Most people are aware that the owner is legally responsible for much of the cost should a crew member be taken ill or injured on board a yacht. However in many cases it would seem that the 'health' policy insures the owner against a huge claim and little more.

Several policies have exclusions for things like adventure sports which can of course mean skiing, hang gliding or free fall parachuting. But some policies have the caveat that means they are allowed to determine just what 'adventure' is. This has included surfing, riding a mountain bike and a host of other things which, to your average yachtie, are hardly considered as adventurous. Clearly insurance executives should get out more!

What about holidays? Take a few days off in the Keys and rent a scooter and you are probably on your own if you have any sort of mishap. The US health system makes Italian shipyards look second rate when it comes to making you part with money. The doctors have a ritual of making you wait as long as possible in a room decorated by a tasteless aunt. You drop your trousers, a cough later and you are robbed of a weeks salary.

There are experts around who can tell you just what you on board policy is worth. I HASTEN TO POINT OUT THAT I AM NOT ONE OF THEM, ALTHOUGH I WOULD BE HAPPPY TO REFER YOU. in terms of coverage and it might be interesting to know what you have. If you are a captain it is something that you should know intimately as it is undoubtedly becoming more of a concern to crew members. Don't forget there are soon likely to be more legislation changes that will require our responsibilities to be stated in black and white and so Insurance or health cover will have to be disclosed clearly. I would guess a few people would be quite shocked by what they find.