I was in a similar situation last year when hit by a novice on a TheMightyHobie18 barging in a club race. His bow ended up spearing over the top mine, breaking my boom and through my mainy. Of course he wasn't insured, and there was no point in even arguing with him, let alone protesting. Darryl fixed the hull damage and my insurance paid for it, less excess. If I had a M20, I would be insuring it for replacement value even before it left the factory, just in case.

In the Sydney-Hobart of 1998, 6 or so (can't remember the exact number) people lost their lives. The subsequent enquiry did not indicate that any of these people or their skippers were irresponsible. They just got hit by a 1 in 50 year storm, the severity of which was not predicted by the Bureau of Met., until it was too late for many of the boats in the race. I understand in this situation individual boat insurance would not cover the loss of life. Only the public liability insuarance cover by the Race organisers would compensate the families of the people lost.

Phil