Boat insurance stupid question?
Discussion
Good question. I have a 43’ sailing boat. She is insured when I am not on board (when moored up). When I am on board I am ‘in charge’ (my family would disagree) so ultimately the insurance company would cover me even if one of my kids was on the helm. If I lent the boat to a pal I believe the insurance broker would want to know what their level of sailing qualification is (i.e., if I lent it to them and I was not on board).
I don’t have the policy to hand but that is my understanding. It gets more complicated if you’re racing and/or single-handing and I have exclusions around both those activities. I both race and single hand - not at the same time - but recognise that I need to do certain things to remain insured.
I don’t have the policy to hand but that is my understanding. It gets more complicated if you’re racing and/or single-handing and I have exclusions around both those activities. I both race and single hand - not at the same time - but recognise that I need to do certain things to remain insured.
Steviesam said:
Probably a stupid question, but I will ask anyway.
With boat insurance, is the boat insured or the "driver" who is insured? Can anyone drive an insured boat?
My boat is inland and the insurer seems only interested in the details of the boat, not the driver/helmsman/pilot/cox'n/captain. Offshore may well be different as risk is higher.With boat insurance, is the boat insured or the "driver" who is insured? Can anyone drive an insured boat?
As indicated above there is a lot of possible combinations.
Mine is a yacht, insured with GJW Direct - one of the largest insurers, and its both me (as the owner) and the boat that are insured. Specifically for UK coastal waters and with limits on the amount of time I am single handed. no qualifications are specified.
I have to nominate my home port (marina).
I am covered for all risks with the yacht, including sinking, de-masting, collision etc and I have third party insurance for damage I may cause to others. My personal being/welfare is insured for a nominal £20,0000.
I am going further afield this year and a North Sea crossing requires me to be double-handed (its an additional policy with GJW) and they seem to be happy with Baltic cruising single handed again.
There is a lists of exclusions - but none state I have to be on-board. This one is a highlight!
ENDORSEMENT 1
We shall cover You in respect of physical loss of or damage to
the Vessel caused by War, Civil Disturbance and Terrorism.
However the Endorsement will automatically terminate:
• upon the occurrence of any hostile detonation of any
nuclear weapon of war
• upon the outbreak of war (whether declared or not)
between any of the following countries UK, USA, France,
Russia and China
Mine is a yacht, insured with GJW Direct - one of the largest insurers, and its both me (as the owner) and the boat that are insured. Specifically for UK coastal waters and with limits on the amount of time I am single handed. no qualifications are specified.
I have to nominate my home port (marina).
I am covered for all risks with the yacht, including sinking, de-masting, collision etc and I have third party insurance for damage I may cause to others. My personal being/welfare is insured for a nominal £20,0000.
I am going further afield this year and a North Sea crossing requires me to be double-handed (its an additional policy with GJW) and they seem to be happy with Baltic cruising single handed again.
There is a lists of exclusions - but none state I have to be on-board. This one is a highlight!
ENDORSEMENT 1
We shall cover You in respect of physical loss of or damage to
the Vessel caused by War, Civil Disturbance and Terrorism.
However the Endorsement will automatically terminate:
• upon the occurrence of any hostile detonation of any
nuclear weapon of war
• upon the outbreak of war (whether declared or not)
between any of the following countries UK, USA, France,
Russia and China
Edited by AnotherGuy on Monday 2nd March 13:53
I've literally just renewed mine this morning, 34ft sailing yacht.
The boat is insured, not the "driver". She is generally afloat all year on her mooring and obviously covered for all the usual risks, collision, sinking, fire, theft of the boat herself or equipment.
I did have to agree that a "competent person" will be on board when she is under way. It's a bit different with boats, as although I would be the skipper and owner, I may be asleep below and someone else at the wheel. There is no actual requirement for the formal level of qualification...I actually have very little (Day Skipper Shorebased from years ago and a VHF license) however I have a lifetime of experience.
My only real exclusion is that I cannot do a solo single handed passage of more than 18hours of duration, which being realistic is not a concern right now.
The boat is insured, not the "driver". She is generally afloat all year on her mooring and obviously covered for all the usual risks, collision, sinking, fire, theft of the boat herself or equipment.
I did have to agree that a "competent person" will be on board when she is under way. It's a bit different with boats, as although I would be the skipper and owner, I may be asleep below and someone else at the wheel. There is no actual requirement for the formal level of qualification...I actually have very little (Day Skipper Shorebased from years ago and a VHF license) however I have a lifetime of experience.
My only real exclusion is that I cannot do a solo single handed passage of more than 18hours of duration, which being realistic is not a concern right now.
Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff