Club Marine proudly celebrates its 65th anniversary this year, and a stellar history of serving recreational boat owners, which has seen the company grow from humble beginnings in Victoria to become the nation’s largest boat insurer.
When the then-named Marine Hull & Liability was founded in 1959, the pleasureboat sector mostly comprised timber dinghies and launches. Fibreglass construction was in its infancy, while DIY plywood boat-building was just beginning to blossom.
Insurance broker Fred Wilson formed the company to support fledgling boat dealerships in Melbourne, some of whom are still proudly operating – JV Marine and the Jackson Brothers (R Marine Jackson) among them.
The late ’70s saw a name change to Marine Hull Club, which then evolved into Club Marine in 1986 as insurance operations expanded around Australia. Mercantile Mutual Insurance (MMI) took ownership of Club Marine in the early ’90s before current owners Allianz acquired the operation in 2003.
Now in 2024, Club Marine has around 140 employees stationed across Australia, servicing policy holders and maintaining long-standing industry partnerships. The bimonthly Club Marine Magazine turns 40 in 2025, boasting a print circulation of more than 70,000 as Australia’s leading marine lifestyle publication.
A revamped policy document was released recently, setting significant new industry benchmarks for insurance cover, and CEO Tim Wiles says the customer-centric focus, born from extensive boating experience, has remained unchanged over the past 65 years.
“Throughout my 17 years working for Club Marine, I have seen many great people come and go but also stay, and it’s a privilege to be at the helm of a company supported by such a great team,” he said. “We remain absolutely dedicated to ensuring Members and Partners get the best possible service.”
“As Club Marine has evolved, initiatives like Club Marine Assist, Member Rewards and Club Marine TV have emerged, significantly enhancing the value of membership and engagement. We will continue to work diligently to lead into the future, and we look forward to seeing boating enthusiasts at various shows and events around the country.”
