Hello!
I am a University student currently studying the marine insurance industry and I would hugely appreciate any responses to the following:
(any responses I will record as anonymous in my project)
1. ) What do you look for from your insurance company chosen for your vessel?
2.) Which marketing do you prefer personally? (select one please)
Industry editorials (i.e fishing news etc)
Social Media (i.e facebook, twitter etc)
Newspaper advertisements/articles
Sponsorships
Direct Email
Phone calls
Personal client-constumer (face to face contact)
Television/Media
Thank you very much in advance for your help.
Kind Regards,
Stephanie
First, item 2. I'm marketing blind. I don't respond positively to any marketing but do respond negatively to some. Any contact I didn't initiate is one such negative. I don't read newspaper ads and certainly don't respond to television ads for something as important as insurance. Not quite as bad as marketing drugs on tv.
I'm not saying marketing is bad. We own retail and market and a magazine dependent on ads. Just saying it doesn't work on me. I personally don't respond to another trying to take charge of my buying process. I take control.
INTERNET PRESENCE
When I want and need something I want to be able to research it online, on my own time. Websites need to be informative and complete. I don't like half truths or half information. Don't just tell me how wonderful your policy is, I want to see exactly what it covers, doesn't cover, and what items are optional. Honestly, I wish the sample policies were available online.
Once I've done my research, then I'll make contacts. Perhaps initially by email, then phone or in person. Again, I do not want to be sold. I want to be educated on the company and it's policies. I want my questions answered honestly and directly and "I don't know" is far better than dancing around it.
As to insurance company I want one that is financially stable and I want one that has demonstrated marine knowledge and expertise. Also, one right for the specific boat. I would not use the same company for a 16' fishing boat that I would for a 70' trawler.
Ultimately, I want one that provides all risks coverage. I don't like exclusions. In my mind, they're "evil". Every exclusion is a potential conflict or argument. It's a possible dispute down the road.
Last, I want an insurer who pays the right amount and does it promptly. I've never had a personal boat claim so I talk to others with similar boats who have. I pay premiums, I don't want an insurer who stalls to try to get you to take less. And, if it's my fault, I want them to treat the other persons the same way. I insure against hurting others or damaging their property. I don't insure to see a boat owner of a boat I collide with have to fight, go to court, and go without a boat for 3 years.
Flash and neon won't get me. Solid facts and integrity and a record of performance will
One last thing. If I'm dealing with someone and they've done well by me for decades, I'm highly unlikely to change. I choose carefully people I trust and can depend on. Especially people who won't lie or mislead me. One lie to me and it's "The End."
Wifey B: Ok, yeah he's not normal but I love him and he's good at what he does....and take that anyway you want. My hubby does it like he runs a business, very businesslike, professional. Firm but polite. Appreciative of help but firm in approach. Control freak? Perhaps although he gives those who work for him huge freedom. More like....method freak or like procedure freak or something, do it right.
Gonna say this too. Small boats one thing, but trawler and yacht people often are business savvy and use to dealing a certain way. They don't react like the young person with a lousy driving record watching the ads for anyone who might insure them. And however they've done things for 20+years, ain't likely to change folks.
We freaking love the gecko and even more the Aflac duck (I named him Ben, Ben Aflac). He worked for the owner of the gecko and we have never had their insurance and we've never had Aflac either. Me, I'd probably buy the Aflac if they'd let me meet the duck.
