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- 20 years’ experience
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- Over 20,000 policyholders
Boat Insurance designed by experts
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Why choose Craftinsure for Boat Insurance?
Craftinsure has over 20 years of experience in arranging insurance for boat owners and is rated 'Excellent' on Trustpilot. A boat insurance policy through Craftinsure can help provide financial protection for third-party liability claims, as well as optional extras such as racing risks for sailing craft, and up to 30 days' use per year in Continental Europe, depending on your boat type. Craftinsure is a sponsor of GB Olympic sailor Freya Black, backed by a dedicated UK-based customer service team and a proud partner of the RNLI.
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Trusted by boat owners
Rated ‘Excellent’ by Trustpilot and Smart Money People, Craftinsure arranges cover for over 20,000 boat owners.
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Fast online cover
Request a quote online and complete your purchase in minutes using our simple, fully digital process.
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Up to £5m third-party cover
Up to £5m of cover is included as standard for protection against third-party claims
Boat Insurance
Find out more about specific boat insurance policies through Craftinsure and get a quick quote below.
What does boat insurance cover?
Boat insurance acts as a form of financial protection and peace of mind should anything happen to your boat. It can include third-party liability cover, damage and theft cover, and more.
Boat insurance
Depending on the type of boat you own, choosing boat insurance through Craftinsure can provide cover for:
- Third-party liability and legal costs
- Theft, loss, and accidental damage
- Fire, storm, and lightning damage
- Salvage and wreck removal
- Emergency towing and assistance
- Transit and trailer cover (where applicable)
- Racing risks (for sailing craft, if selected)
- Equipment and outboard motors
- Up to 30 days use in continental Europe
Boat insurance through Craftinsure will not provide cover for the following:
- Loss or damage caused by a vessel being in an unseaworthy condition
- Wear, tear, depreciation, or gradual deterioration
- Mechanical or electrical breakdown
- Wilful misconduct or recklessness by you or other persons driving the vessel
- Loss or damage to personal effects
- Operating the vessel outside of the territorial scope shown in the policy
Please check the relevant insurance document for your boat type to learn the specifics of what is and isn't covered by your boat insurance policy.
Meet our boat insurance expert
"Several claims made through Craftinsure over the past year were the result of severe weather and storm conditions. To help minimise the risk of damage, you can use a professionally constructed mooring, keep it regularly maintained, and check it frequently, particularly during the winter months.
"Properly winterising your boat, along with inspecting mooring lines ahead of forecasted storms, can significantly reduce the likelihood of damage and help ensure your vessel is ready for a safe return to the water."
Natasha Whiting, Senior Underwriter
When do I need boat insurance?
Although boat insurance is not a legal requirement if you own a boat, there are several situations where specialist boat insurance may be required.
If a marina or harbour requires insurance
Many marinas, harbours and moorings may require evidence of third-party liability insurance before allowing a vessel to berth. Check with your marina or harbour to understand what their insurance requirements are.
If you use inland waterways
Some navigation authorities such as Canal and River Trust may require insurance before granting access or licences. Depending on where you want to moor your boat, check with the relevant navigation authority to understand whether insurance is required, the minimum level of cover needed, and whether your policy provides the required cover before setting out.
If you plan to take your boat abroad
If you're crossing national borders or cruising in European waters, you may need suitable insurance cover and supporting documentation. Before you travel, check the insurance requirements for the countries, marinas or waterways you plan to visit to ensure your policy provides the required cover and meets any minimum insurance requirements.
If you are racing your boat in a competition
Many racing events and sailing clubs require insurance as part of their entry requirements. Before taking part, check the organiser's insurance requirements to make sure you have the appropriate level of cover.
If your boat is financed
Some lenders may require insurance to remain in place throughout a finance agreement. Check with your insurance provider to understand what level of insurance cover is required for the duration of your finance agreement.
How to compare boat insurance
Looking to compare boat insurance policies? Keeping your boating needs in mind throughout the process can help you confidently choose the right level of protection. Here are a few factors to bear in mind when comparing boat insurance features.
1. Included cover & benefits
Boat insurance policies can vary quite a bit across the market, so it’s worth checking what’s included as standard when making your decision. Whether you’re after third-party liability cover for protection against claims or European cover to protect you and your boat abroad, it’s good to know what you’re paying for suits your boating habits.
2. Excesses & claim limits
Checking the finer details can make all the difference when looking to compare boat insurance policies, even if you’re happy with your cover options. You might want to consider:
- How much excess you’d pay if you make a claim
- The maximum payout for items like outboard motors or trailers
- Whether you’re covered during transit or international travel
3. Price vs value
It’s tempting to go for the lowest premium, but value lies in what you actually require. A good boat insurance policy will balance affordability with strong protection and flexibility and have customer reviews that reflect a positive experience.
Looking for small boat insurance?
Not every boat owner needs cover for a yacht or large motorboat.
Craftinsure can help owners of a wide range of smaller craft find suitable insurance, whether you're using your boat on inland waterways, lakes, rivers or coastal waters
Depending on the type of vessel, cover may be available for:
- Dinghies
- Small yachts and sailing boats
- Canoes and kayaks
- Paddleboards
- Sailboards
- Other eligible small craft
Depending on the policy selected, boat insurance may provide cover for risks such as theft, accidental damage, fire, storm damage and third-party liability.
Boat insurance FAQs
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Craftinsure covers the following types of vessels:
- Cruising yacht
- Racing yacht
- Dayboat or keelboat
- Cruising multihull
- Motorboat (Tidal and non-tidal)
- Narrowboat (wide beam included)
- Racing dinghy
- Speedboat
- SUPs
- RIB
- Sailboard
- Other small boats
Craftinsure also provides third party insurance too.
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Specialist boat insurance shields your boat and public liability from the risks of sailing on the sea or cruising inland waterways. These include third-party claims emerging from accidents on the water or your boat being lost, damaged or stolen.
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While taking out boat insurance isn’t a legal requirement, many boating clubs and marinas require proof of cover to become a member.
Aside from this, you may want to consider specialist boat insurance to help give peace of mind on the water. Risks such as theft, loss, and damage are real threats, as are third-party claims arising from incidents on the waterways.
You can get an online quote through Craftinsure if you want that extra reassurance.
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Yes, most boat insurance policies include cover for accidental or malicious damage to your boat and any relevant equipment or gear you have onboard.
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If you’d like to get a quote for boat insurance through Craftinsure, you can select the type of boat you would like to insure and click the quote button. You may need to provide information such as your personal details, the details of your boat, and your claims history.
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Accidental damage, including incidents that can occur while manoeuvring or docking, may be covered depending on your policy and level of cover selected. Policy terms, excesses, and exclusions will apply.
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Most Craftinsure policies include third‑party liability cover, which can provide protection if you cause damage to another boat, marina facilities, or property, up to the cover limits chosen.
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Some Craftinsure policies offer continental European cover for up to 30 days. For Yacht and Motorboat you can select Mediterranean cover if your boat is moored there.
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Most customers can get a quote and purchase a policy online in minutes, depending on the details of the boat and the cover selected. You would then be covered instantly from whatever date you choose, subject to underwriting criteria
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Many marinas, harbours, and inland waterways require proof of third‑party liability insurance. Craftinsure policies can provide this cover where included.
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The cost of insuring your boat through Craftinsure depends on a few factors, such as:
- the type of boat you want to insure (including its age and maximum speed)
- the boat's value
- how you plan to use your boat and where it will be kept
- your experience and claims history
The best way to find out how much your boat insurance policy will cost is to select the type of vessel you wish to insure and get a quick online quote.
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