Your Club starts an Adopted Classes Only Policy

Maybe claiming off the clubs own insurance for the Ent seems nicer than apportioning blame to the beginner and asking for his insurance details. However, having said that, surely cheerfully explaining that mistakes happen, we've all been there and it's the reason we all have insurance would have been better? 

If your club made a claim on their own insurance, without letting the insurance company know that a third party was at fault (or even involved?), then that's a bit naughty too.  

If the club just paid for it out of club money, then it seems kind of odd too. If the beginner knows his mistake has led to club funds being used to repair a boat he damaged then that is going to make him feel mighty awkward, no matter how nicely you insist. It might also make other members feel aggrieved as their subs money is being used to pay for repairs which should be claimable. 

Maybe there is something more to it, but either option seems a bit off, just to avoid the awkwardness of asking for the chaps insurance details. If the beginner felt really bad, then I'm sure he would have felt better if he was given opportunity to make amends by claiming on the insurance he has already paid for; I know I would. It's no big deal, that's just why we all have insurance.