Yacht & Sailboat Insurance

While yacht insurance isn’t technically a legal requirement, many marinas require proof of third-party liability 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 help protect yourself and your craft, especially since they’re such a high-value purchase. You can build a yacht insurance quote in minutes through Craftinsure. 

The cost of a yacht or sailboat insurance policy typically depends on the following factors: 

• your claims history  
• your yacht or sailboat’s intended use 
• the age, class, and value of your boat 
• your boat’s mooring location  
• your selected level of cover  

You can get an online quote through Craftinsure today to learn the cost of your yacht insurance policy. 

The answer to this question depends on where and how you plan to use your yacht: 

• UK coastal waters—registration with the UK Ship Register is not compulsory for yachts used in UK coastal waters unless you’re taking out a marine mortgage or plan to sail internationally 
• UK inland waterways—you must obtain a licence from the Canal & River Trust, the Environment Agency, or Scottish Canals depending on where you sail 

You can get cover to use your yacht or sailboat in Europe through Craftinsure, depending on size and where it's moored.

For boats over 26ft, cover includes cruising in parts of continental Europe, from Brest to the River Elbe, as well as inland waterways within the defined cruising area. During the summer months (May to September), this range extends further from Bordeaux in the south to Stavanger and parts of the Baltic.

For boats under 26ft, standard cover is limited to UK inland and coastal waters (including the Channel Islands, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man).

If you’re planning to cruise further afield or keep your boat abroad, such as in the Mediterranean, additional cover can be arranged if your vessel is permanently moored there.

Yes!

Cruising yacht policies: Cruising Yacht policies automatically include racing cover for Round the Island Race, and you do have the option to include local club racing during the quote process.

Racing Yacht policies: If you use your yacht for racing, you can choose to include cover for local club racing or regattas on your policy.

Dayboat/keelboat, and racing dinghies: these policies include racing cover automatically for events in the UK and Europe (up to 30 days cover in Europe)

For your insurance to remain valid, you must keep your yacht in a seaworthy condition. Therefore, you need to regularly maintain and inspect your vessel for defects that may affect its safe operation in the water. If the vessel is over 20 years old or over 25ft, it must have a survey every 5 years. This can include hazards such as broken safety railings, faulty navigational equipment, or rusted bolts and fastenings.

Yacht insurance through Craftinsure includes cover while your boat is in transit as well as in storage. If you’re putting your vessel in storage, make sure that it is properly secured to reduce the risk of damage in storm conditions.

If you modify your yacht after already taking out a policy through Craftinsure, you can update your policy by contacting us. Ensuring the details of your policy are up to date and reflect the current value of your boat can help ensure that you won’t be left short-changed should you ever need to make a claim. Visit our Help and Support page for further guidance.