Business Details
43 Years
experience
Your Trusted Insurance Partner Since 1983
We are an independent insurance broker based in Hastings, East Sussex, established in 1983. Our mission has always been to provide expert support and advice for both personal and commercial protection while delivering quality service to our clients. Over the years, we have built strong partnerships with leading car clubs, churches, charities, and community groups, reflecting our commitment to tailored solutions. Our vision focuses on developing sustainable relationships, creating innovative income channels, and maintaining compliance with legal obligations. Our values guide every business decision, emphasizing ethical partnerships, personalized service, specialist knowledge, and empathetic stakeholder engagement.With decades of experience, we pride ourselves on understanding client needs and offering bespoke insurance products that align with their unique requirements. Our team's extensive industry expertise ensures we negotiate competitive terms and provide clear, jargon-free guidance. We continuously invest in staff development and maintain authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority to uphold the highest professional standards. Our long-standing reputation is built on trust, reliability, and a dedication to exceeding client expectations through personalized insurance solutions.
Services
Motor Insurance
Property Insurance
Travel Insurance
Commercial Insurance
Specialist Insurance
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- We offer over 40 years of specialist insurance experience
- Our team provides tailored advice from UK-based experts
- 5-star-rated service with transparent pricing
- Specialist vehicle cover for unique automotive needs
- Established partnerships with car clubs and community groups
Associations and certifications
- Financial Conduct Authority
Services
Motor Insurance
We provide comprehensive motor insurance solutions for standard and specialist vehicles, including classic cars, modified vehicles, and performance models. Our policies offer flexible cover options with features like excess protection and GAP insurance. With partnerships across enthusiast communities, we deliver tailored coverage that recognises the unique value of specialist vehicles while maintaining competitive pricing for everyday drivers.
Property Insurance
Our property insurance covers residential, let, and holiday homes with tailored solutions for high-value properties and non-standard constructions. We offer buildings and contents cover with flexible terms for unique requirements. Specialist policies include protection for listed buildings, thatched properties, and converted structures, ensuring comprehensive coverage that addresses the specific risks associated with different property types and occupancies.
Commercial Insurance
We arrange commercial insurance for sole traders, SMEs, and complex businesses covering premises, vehicles, and liabilities. Our offerings include public liability, employers liability, and business interruption insurance. Tailored policies protect against industry-specific risks while providing cost-effective solutions for fleet management, professional indemnity, and management liability, ensuring businesses maintain operational resilience against unexpected events.
Specialist Insurance
Our specialist insurance division covers unique requirements including place of worship, allotment associations, and dog businesses. We provide tailored protection for community groups, creative professionals, and niche sectors through partnerships with specialist underwriters. Policies address specific risks like stained glass protection, member-to-member liability, and care custody control coverage, ensuring comprehensive protection for unconventional insurance needs.
Travel Insurance
We offer travel insurance solutions for single trips and annual multi-trip policies with coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellations, and lost belongings. Our policies accommodate pre-existing medical conditions, winter sports, and cruise holidays. Flexible terms cater to frequent flyers, families, and adventure travellers, providing peace of mind through comprehensive coverage that adapts to different travel requirements and destinations.
People
Ian Willis
Personal Lines Team Manager
With nearly 30 years in insurance, Ian leads our Personal Lines team. He has managed teams since 2020 and holds industry-recognised qualifications. His focus is on staff development and delivering exceptional customer service while maintaining technical expertise through monthly training sessions.
Fern Kardamash
Commercial Lines Manager
Fern has 16 years of insurance experience, including 7.5 years at Chris Knott. She transitioned from Commercial Lines Technician to Manager, specialising in commercial insurance and team leadership. She prioritises excellent service delivery and team development while maintaining a strong industry knowledge base.
Questions
What types of specialist vehicles do you insure?
We cover classic cars, modified vehicles, performance cars, imported vehicles, and enthusiast-owned cars from brands like Aston Martin, Porsche, and Lotus.
Do you offer insurance for non-standard properties?
Yes, we provide coverage for listed buildings, thatched properties, converted buildings, and high-value homes with tailored terms to address unique risks.
Can I get business insurance for a small company?
We offer commercial insurance solutions for sole traders and SMEs including liability cover, business interruption insurance, and fleet management policies.
Do you provide travel insurance with pre-existing conditions?
Yes, we arrange travel insurance policies that accommodate pre-existing medical conditions and offer winter sports and cruise holiday coverage.
What specialist insurance options are available?
We provide tailored insurance for places of worship, allotment associations, dog businesses, and photography professionals through specialist underwriting partnerships.
Reviews (4)
Scott Bellchambers
Apr 06, 2022
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I insured my car with Chris Knott for 6 years consecutively. I'd never missed a payment, paying monthyvia direct debit and taking an instant renewal each year without a seconds hesitation. I recently had to sell my car for financial reasons and obviously had to cancel my insurance. I've now received a letter stating that I have to pay 109.28 in cancellation fees. Great company, just don't have any issues before your renewal is up cos they'll kick you in the backside for it. I won't be using their services in the future.
A. A.
Oct 16, 2021
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Use to be cheap however they don't like high performance SUVs and actually even a 9 year old E class coupe. It works out to be so much more money than the comparison sites. I've been trying them for the past 2-3 years and they aren't competitive at all.
Matthew Couchard
Aug 26, 2021
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Been with this broker for years, its worth paying a small premium for, easy to get hold of on the phone and the one time I had to claim 3 years ago, they delat with everything.
Darren Booth
Aug 25, 2021
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I have had insurance with Chris Knott since 2001 roughly for car insurance, home insurance not as long, I have passed thier details to many of my friends. I paid a premium on my home insurance which was nearly double what other people were quoting but Chris Knott assured me they only use the best companies who give the best customer service, this year we had to use our accidental damage policy unfortunately, 1 for a Mac computer at the turn of the year and another for an I pad Pro last month that was damaged, because we made 2 claims in a year this is the result in my next years quote out of thier panel of insures. I'm absolutely gob smacked and appalled at this as a quote for house insurance for a 2 bedroom terraced house.
