Bishop Skinner Marine

What Bishop Skinner Marine does

Bishop Skinner Marine is a UK specialist marine insurance broker operating as a trading name of Marsh Ltd, itself part of the Marsh McLennan Companies (MMC) global professional services group. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Chelmsford with registered office in London, the company arranges boat and marine insurance for individual vessel owners and marine businesses through a panel of 14+ A-rated insurers including KGM Underwriting Services, MS Amlin, AIG, Beazley, Hiscox MGA, Pantaenius, Navigators and General, and Travelers. The product portfolio spans pleasure craft lines (Dinghy, Yacht, Narrowboat, RIB, Motorboat, Small Boat, Paddleboard, Windsurf, Third Party Liability, and Superyacht over 24m) and marine business lines (Boat Builders, Boat and Engine Repairers, Boatyards, Commercial Vessels, Marinas, Sailing Clubs), supplemented by a Sailing Travel Insurance product and a referral gateway to Marsh McLennan group offerings in health, wealth, and personal assets.

The underlying technology stack is the Acturis insurance platform powering online quotation, policy administration, and customer portal access, supplemented by phone-based inside sales. Bishop Skinner Marine is a long-standing (30+ year) insurance partner of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), offering RYA members a 10% discount and free third-party liability cover for windsurfing, paddleboarding, wingsurfing, and kitesurfing. The company is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Reference No. 307511) and earns revenue primarily through insurance commission on placed premiums, supplemented by client administration charges and Close Brothers Premium Finance referral income. Distribution is hybrid: an Acturis-powered self-serve quote and buy portal for smaller ticket lines, phone-based expert advisors for complex risks, and event-led engagement at UK sailing regattas and boat shows. Customer retention averages 8+ years, and the company holds the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award for 2026.

Name

Bishop Skinner Marine

Legal name

Marsh Ltd

Website

https://bishopskinner.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Bishop Skinner Marine is a UK specialist boat and marine insurance broker, trading as Marsh Ltd within Marsh McLennan. It arranges vessel insurance for individual owners (dinghies to superyachts), sailing clubs, marinas, boatyards, and commercial operators through a panel of A-rated insurers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Insurance Brokerage

NAICS

Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (524210), Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities (5242)

SIC

Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance (6331), Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro primary industry

Yacht & Pleasure Craft Insurance (FSAJAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ocean Marine Insurance (Hull, Cargo & Freight) (FSAJAHAA), Marine Specialty (Hull/P&I/Cargo) (FSAJAGAJ)

Keywords

• Marine insurance brokerage
• Boat insurance
• Yacht insurance
• Marine business insurance
• Sailing travel insurance

Headquarters

HQ city

Chelmsford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Insurance Policy Premiums: Bishop Skinner Marine arranges boat insurance policies on behalf of multiple A-rated insurers. As a broker, the company earns commissions on premiums placed with its panel of marine insurers, which includes KGM Underwriting Services Ltd, MS Amlin, Navigators and General, AIG, Beazley, Global Yacht Cover, Hiscox MGA, Mercia Marine, Pantaenius (pleasure craft), Knighthood (commercial craft), DeNovo, Fiducia MGA, NMU, and Travelers (marine trades).
2. Client Administration Charges: Marsh makes individual client administration charges per policy (up to a maximum of 3 policies per policy period) to cover costs associated with administering insurances, including arranging new policies, short-period or mid-term cancellations, mid-term changes, providing replacement or duplicate documents, and other administrative tasks. Fees are advised before the client becomes liable.
3. Premium Finance Facilitation: The company offers payment by finance through Close Brothers Premium Finance for certain policies, facilitating installment payments for customers who prefer not to pay annual premiums upfront.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bishop Skinner Marine is a specialist UK marine insurance broker operating as a trading name of Marsh Ltd (part of Marsh McLennan). It places boat insurance policies with a panel of A-rated marine insurers on behalf of individual vessel owners (dinghies, yachts, narrowboats, RIBs, motorboats, small boats, paddleboards, windsurfs, third-party liability, and superyachts over 24m) and marine businesses (boat builders, boat and engine repairers, boatyards, commercial vessels, marinas, sailing clubs). It also brokers annual multi-trip sailing travel insurance and offers self-serve purchase via an Acturis-powered online portal backed by expert phone advisors.

Product overview

Bishop Skinner Marine is a specialist boat and marine insurance broker operating as a trading name of Marsh Ltd (part of Marsh McLennan). Its product portfolio centres on a comprehensive suite of boat insurance products for individual vessel owners — including Dinghy, Yacht, Narrowboat, RIB, Motorboat, Small Boat, Paddleboard, Windsurf, Third Party Liability, and Superyacht (over 24m) insurance — alongside a complementary set of marine business insurance products covering Boat Builders, Boat and Engine Repairers, Boatyards, Commercial Vessels, Marinas, and Sailing Clubs. The company also offers Sailing Travel Insurance as an annual multi-trip policy for sailors, and acts as a referral gateway to wider Marsh McLennan group offerings in health, wealth, and personal assets. Customers can purchase and manage policies online via the Acturis-powered quote and buy portal, or over the phone. Core differentiators include RYA partnership discounts, in-house claims advocacy, and coverage tailored by vessel type and sailing pattern.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dinghy Insurance Specialist insurance cover for dinghy owners, providing protection against risks associated with dinghy sailing, including accidental damage, fire, theft, and third-party liability. Target users are individuals who own dinghies for recreational sailing in the UK.
• Yacht Insurance Comprehensive yacht insurance tailored to individual sailing patterns and locations, covering accidental damage, third-party liability, legal costs, and optional racing cover. Target users are UK-based yacht owners, including RYA members eligible for a 10% discount.
• Narrowboat Insurance Specialist insurance for narrowboat owners using UK inland waterways, covering personal effects, malicious damage, and providing the £5 million third-party indemnity required for the Canal and River Trust licence. Target users are individuals and families operating narrowboats on the UK canal network.
• RIB Insurance Comprehensive insurance for Rigid Inflatable Boat owners covering boat launch, inland and coastal waters UK-wide with 30 days European use, personal accident up to age 76, and optional water-skier towing liability. Target users are UK RIB owners using their vessels for leisure.
• Motorboat Insurance Specialist motorboat insurance tailored to individual lifestyle needs, covering underwater gear and equipment damage, with RYA member discounts and £5 million third-party liability as standard. Target users are UK motorboat owners.
• Small Boat Insurance Insurance for small boat owners covering legal liability to third parties and non-fare-paying passengers up to £5 million, with no excess on claims while moored in UK marinas and road transit cover up to 9 metres. Target users are UK small boat owners.
• Paddleboard Insurance Specialist stand-up paddleboard insurance covering theft, loss or damage to the board, £3 million third-party liability, and European cover when travelling abroad, with new-for-old replacement for boards under 3 years old. Target users are UK paddleboard owners.
• Windsurf Insurance Insurance for windsurfers covering equipment theft, loss or damage, legal costs for third-party craft or property damage, £5 million third-party liability, and racing activities at no additional cost. Target users are UK windsurfers.
• Third Party Liability Insurance Basic boat insurance providing £3 million limit of indemnity for third-party property damage and injury claims, with cover in UK and European waters excluding Italy, and up to £15,000 for wreck removal. Optional extension for towing water-skiers. Target users are UK boat owners seeking minimum statutory liability cover.
• Superyacht Insurance Comprehensive insurance for privately owned sailing or powered vessels over 24 metres in length, covering hull and machinery, liabilities, crew medical cover, optional war risks, and crisis cover including temporary substitute yacht access. Target users are high-net-worth owners of privately flagged superyachts operating in UK and international waters.
• Sailing Travel Insurance Annual multi-trip yachtsman travel insurance covering sailing and waterborne activities as standard, with worldwide cover, offshore sailing without distance restriction, races up to 150 nm, and enhanced cover for RYA Gold members. Maximum trip length 45 days (extendable to 62 or 90 days); cover available up to age 69 (annual) or 79 (single trip). Target users are sailing and boating travellers.
• Boat Builders Insurance Insurance specifically protecting boat builders during vessel construction, covering physical damage to vessels being built, third-party liability, business interruption, and trial and delivery trips. Target users are UK commercial boat builders and marine engineers.
• Boat and Engine Repairers Insurance Insurance covering the unique risks faced by marine repair professionals, including liabilities and property damage claims arising during operations, with coverage for cleaning, detailing, painting, engine repair, hull repair, electrical work, and rigging services. Target users are UK marine repair businesses.
• Boatyard Insurance Insurance specifically protecting boatyard owners and operators from risks associated with the marine trade, covering general liability, boatyard operators legal liability, property coverage, pollution liability, and business interruption. Target users are UK boatyard operators.
• Commercial Vessel Insurance Insurance providing Hull and Machinery coverage, third-party liability, and crew liability for commercial vessel owners and operators, including small ferry boats, motor boats, and commercial workboats. Target users are UK-based commercial vessel operators.
• Marina Insurance Insurance for coastal and inland marina owners and operators, covering general liability, marina operators legal liability, property coverage for buildings and pontoons, pollution liability, and business interruption. Target users are UK marina businesses.
• Sailing Club Insurance Insurance for sailing clubs, yacht clubs, and boat clubs covering general liability, property coverage, and cover for sailing boats and club vessels including third-party liability, personal accident, business travel, management liability, and cyber liability. Target users are UK sailing, yacht and boat clubs of all sizes.

Named customers5 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Royal Yachting Association (RYA)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 1994Bishop Skinner Marine has been a trusted insurance partner of the RYA for over 30 years, offering RYA members a 10% discount on all boat insurance policies. RYA Gold members receive enhanced travel insurance with up to £10 million medical cover and £2 million personal liability. RYA members also receive free third-party liability insurance for windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, wingsurfing, and kitesurfing. The RYA is the national governing body for sailing and boating in the UK with over 100,000 members.
• KGM Underwriting Services LtdcoreOthersInsurer available for pleasure craft insurance through Bishop Skinner Marine's panel of providers.
• MS AmlincoreOthersInsurer available for pleasure craft insurance through Bishop Skinner Marine's panel of providers.
• Navigators and GeneralcoreOthersInsurer available for pleasure craft insurance through Bishop Skinner Marine's panel of providers.
• AIGcoreOthersInsurer available for pleasure craft insurance through Bishop Skinner Marine's panel of providers.
• BeazleycoreOthersInsurer available for pleasure craft insurance through Bishop Skinner Marine's panel of providers.
• Global Yacht CovercoreOthersInsurer available for pleasure craft insurance through Bishop Skinner Marine's panel of providers.
• Hiscox MGAcoreOthersInsurer available for pleasure craft insurance through Bishop Skinner Marine's panel of providers.
• Mercia MarinecoreOthersInsurer available for pleasure craft insurance through Bishop Skinner Marine's panel of providers.
• PantaeniuscoreOthersInsurer available for pleasure craft insurance through Bishop Skinner Marine's panel of providers.
• KnighthoodcoreOthersInsurer available for commercial craft insurance through Bishop Skinner Marine's panel of providers.
• DeNovocoreOthersInsurer available for marine trades insurance through Bishop Skinner Marine's panel of providers.
• Fiducia MGAcoreOthersInsurer available for marine trades insurance through Bishop Skinner Marine's panel of providers.
• NMUcoreOthersInsurer available for marine trades insurance through Bishop Skinner Marine's panel of providers.
• TravelerscoreOthersInsurer available for marine trades insurance through Bishop Skinner Marine's panel of providers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pantaenius UK: Pantaenius is a leading direct specialist yacht and pleasure craft insurer in the UK and Europe, offering hull, third-party liability, and yacht insurance. It is both a competitor and a panel insurer for Bishop Skinner, making it the most directly comparable peer in the specialist marine broker/insurer space.
• Haven Knox-Johnston Insurance Brokers: Haven Knox-Johnston is a UK specialist marine insurance broker serving yacht owners and marine businesses, owned by Arthur J. Gallagher. It competes head-to-head with Bishop Skinner in the UK pleasure craft and marine trades segment, making it a directly comparable specialist broker peer.
• NMU (Nautilus Marine Underwriting): NMU is a specialist UK marine underwriting agency (part of Chaucer Group) providing pleasure craft and marine trade cover through brokers. It sits on Bishop Skinner's panel and competes as an underwriting capacity provider for the same end customers.
• Navigators & General: Navigators and General is a specialist UK marine insurance provider for yachts, motorboats, and marine trade businesses. Listed in Bishop Skinner's insurer panel, it also operates direct, making it a directly comparable specialist marine insurance brand serving UK boat owners.
• A-Plan Insurance (marine): A-Plan is a UK high-street insurance broker that includes a specialist marine scheme for boats, yachts, and personal watercraft. It overlaps with Bishop Skinner on the consumer-side marine distribution but competes via a different (branch-led) delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• Beazley (marine): Beazley is a global specialty insurer with marine and yacht insurance lines. Listed in Bishop Skinner's panel, Beazley also writes marine business direct and via other brokers, making it a broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities.
• Howden Insurance Brokers (marine): Howden is a large UK-headquartered insurance broker with a marine and yacht specialty team. It serves a similar client base to Bishop Skinner (pleasure craft, superyacht, marine trades) but as a much broader insurance group with global reach.
• Towergate Marine: Towergate is a large UK insurance broker owned by Gallagher offering marine, yacht, and boatyard cover alongside a wide general insurance portfolio. It is a broader incumbent that overlaps with Bishop Skinner on marine distribution but does not focus exclusively on the niche.
• Hiscox UK (marine): Hiscox is a major UK specialty insurer with a dedicated marine and yacht product line sold through brokers. While Bishop Skinner distributes Hiscox MGA capacity, Hiscox also sells direct and through other brokers, making it a broader incumbent marine player.

Others

• RYA Insurance Services (scheme comparison): The Royal Yachting Association operates an insurance scheme and historically has had multiple partner brokers over time. While Bishop Skinner is the current RYA partner, prior or alternative partner schemes represent the most directly comparable affiliate-channel specialist marine brokers in the UK.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/boat_insure
• Facebookfacebook.com/Bishop-Skinner-333473420066476
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bishop-skinner-marine

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bishop Skinner Marine