| Boat-owners may be advised to ensure a lack of | | | | target for thieves and that to protect their |
| insurance does not leave their finances sunk, | | | | vehicles they should fit a trailer lock to the hitch |
| following the results of a new study. | | | | and purchase a wheel clamp. |
| In research carried out by Saga it was revealed | | | | Furthermore, the financial services provider |
| that hitting an underwater object while out in the | | | | pointed to police reports claiming that items made |
| water will set the average boat-owning consumer | | | | from bronze and copper are becoming increasingly |
| back by 2,419 pounds. Additionally, it was indicated | | | | sought after by criminals. This was attributed to |
| that some three per cent of insurance claims on | | | | the rising value of such materials in recent years. |
| a boat have resulted from a craft sinking. Other | | | | Consequently, Saga reminded consumers that |
| popular claims on a boat insurance policy were | | | | boats often contain features such as plaques, bells |
| indicated as including incurring accidental damage | | | | and statues which can be made from |
| while cruising, a vessel flooding while in a moored | | | | hard-wearing bronze and are often in open view. |
| position and wind damage. | | | | "Whilst it's not feasible to remove or store these |
| Following on from a lack of insurance, those | | | | items without difficulty, it's worth being aware |
| consumers who find that their vessel has been | | | | that trying to mask them from view may make |
| the target of theft or has been struck while at | | | | the opportune thief look elsewhere for easier |
| sea may find that they have to dip into their own | | | | pickings," the firm asserted. |
| pockets to pay for repairs and to replace items. | | | | With the warmer months beginning to arrive, |
| In turn, this might have an impact upon their | | | | those Britons looking to take to the water and |
| capacity to meet other areas of financial demand | | | | buy a boat might wish to consider getting a |
| such as personal loans, credit and store cards, | | | | low-rate secured loan. By selecting a loan, |
| mortgage repayments and household bills. | | | | borrowers may be able to purchase the vessel of |
| The threat of criminals was also advised as | | | | their dreams quickly, leaving them with an |
| another consideration for boating Brits to take | | | | affordable level of repayments to make. In |
| into account. According to Saga theft is the | | | | addition, the financial assistance that a secured |
| second most frequent event that consumers will | | | | loan provides could help budding boatsmen and |
| claim for. Overall, the typical claim for a burglary | | | | women to take out a comprehensive boat |
| costs 1,820 pounds. However, to help protect | | | | insurance policy. A secured loan could also be of |
| against this seafarers were advised to ensure | | | | help to those buying a car, after a |
| that outboard motors and life rafts are secured | | | | moneysupermarket survey revealed that if the |
| to the main vessel with good quality chains and | | | | approximate 425,000 new cars bought last month |
| locks. Meanwhile, not leaving items loose on deck | | | | were paid for via a loan instead of a forecourt |
| or in the cockpit was also recommended. In | | | | finance deal then drivers could avoid paying an |
| addition, consumers were advised that the boat | | | | additional 420 million pounds in interest. |
| trailers which are attached to cars are often a | | | | |