yacht insurance

What is yacht insurance?

Yacht insurance through Craftinsure is designed to protect cruising yachts, racing yachts, and a wide range of other sailboats against damage or theft, alongside other risks associated with sailing on inland, coastal or offshore waters.

Taking out specialist yacht or sailboat insurance can ensure you’re covered against injury to your crew or passengers as well as against other third-party claims arising from accidents on the water, or a total loss of your vessel.

Benefits of yacht insurance through Craftinsure

20 years experience 
We’re boat owners too, and we’ve been helping others embrace their passion for sailing or racing for over 20 years.
Direct to you
We can offer competitive premiums on yacht or sailboat insurance since our Quote and Buy process is entirely online
Claims tracking
You can notify us of a claim 24/7, and will receive an email acknowledgement immediately, so you can have peace of mind when the unexpected happens

Sailing, cruising, and racing yachts:

Yachts valued up to £600k
£5m third party cover
Accidental or malicious damage
Damage from fire or theft
Masts, spars and sails
Recovery of the vessel following a loss
Loss or damage during transit by road
Cruising range Brest to Elbe for boats over 26ft
For yachts over 26ft, cruising as far south as Bordeaux between May to September
Local Club Racing option for Cruising Yachts
Costs for inspecting the hull following a grounding (even if no damage found)
Trailers
Outboard motors
Tenders (if marked with the name of the main boat)
Personal Effects (items with a value under £250)
Others using your boat (with your permission)
Legal costs in defending claims against you or pursuing a claim where someone has damaged your boat

Smaller Sailboats:

For dayboats and keelboats
Parts on a New for Old basis
£5m third party cover
Up to 30 days use in continental Europe
Accidental or malicious damage, fire or theft
Recovery of the vessel following a loss
Vermin damage
Loss or damage to protective covers
Trailers
Outboard motors
Loss or damage whilst in transit by road
Mast, spars, and sails
Others using your boat (with your permission)
Legal costs in defending claims against you or pursuing a claim where someone has damaged your boat

Cruising, racing yachts, dayboats and keelboats:

Loss or damage caused by vessel being in an unseaworthy condition
Wear, tear, depreciation or gradual deterioration
Theft of outboard motors (unless securely locked and you have the serial number recorded)
Mechanical or electrical breakdown
Loss or damage to personal effects (unless the vessel has lockable storage)
Loss of money, cheques, credit or debit cards, jewellery, spectacles, or mobile phones
Operating the vessel outside of the territorial scope shown in the policy
Wilful misconduct or recklessness by you or other persons in control of the vessel

Why should I consider yacht or sailboat insurance?

There’s no better feeling than cruising in your yacht or sailboat with the sunset as a backdrop to your adventures. It’s an easy way to forget life’s worries and gain peace of mind.

However, as with any outdoor hobby, it doesn’t come with a guarantee of keeping you accident-free.

Say you lose control of your vessel and accidentally injure another person on the water. Or you allow a family member to borrow your yacht or sailboat and they collide with another boat whilst manoeuvring in the marina.

Taking out specialist insurance for your yacht or sailboat can ensure you’re protected in the worst-case scenarios and give you complete reassurance when out enjoying yourself.

Quote

Yacht & sailboat insurance FAQs

What is the most common yacht insurance coverage?

The most common forms of yacht or sailboat insurance are:

‘Comprehensive' insurance—typically covers your boat for theft, loss, and damage
Third-party cover—protects your liability if you damage third-party property or injure another person

Specialist yacht insurance through Craftinsure covers yachts valued up to £600k and smaller sailboats such as dayboats and keelboats with £5m third-party cover included as standard.

How much does yacht insurance cost?

The cost of your insurance depends heavily on what you’re using your yacht or sailboat for, alongside factors such as your claims history and the class and value of your boat.

Cover arranged by Craftinsure starts:

from £74 annually for dayboats and keelboats
from £134 annually for cruising yachts
from £226 annually for racing yachts

You can get an instant online quote to learn the cost to cover your boat.

Is yacht insurance a legal requirement?

While yacht insurance isn’t technically a legal requirement, many marinas require proof of third-party cover at minimum to use their facilities. So, checking this for those you plan to use beforehand is a good idea to avoid disappointment.

You might want to consider yacht insurance to protect yourself and your craft regardless, especially since they’re such a high value purchase.

You can build a yacht insurance quote in minutes through Craftinsure.

Am I covered to use my yacht or sailboat in Europe?

Yes—if your yacht is over 26ft, cover automatically includes waters of continental Europe between Brest and the river Elbe as well as continental inland waterways. Between May to the end of September, cover is extended further, to as far south as Bordeaux and north to as far as Stavanger and Stockholm.

If under 26ft, cover for cruising on UK inland and coastal waters is provided as standard but can usually be extended for use on European waters upon request.

For smaller sail boats, Craftinsure’s Dayboat and Keelboat policy includes up to 30 days use in continental Europe.