As a general rule, most boatyards and marinas would expect you to retain at least Third Party Insurance whilst the boat is on their premises, but you should also consider other risks such as fire, theft, malicious damage and stress of weather.
Finding you the right yacht insurance cover
Finding the right yacht insurance cover should only add to your joy of sailing. Many of our team are sailing enthusiasts, so we understand the kind of marine insurance cover you’re looking for.
Our expert team will work closely with you to understand how you sail, and where, to find you comprehensive cover that takes all of your individual needs into account.
Our features and benefits
We know everyone enjoys sailing differently. That’s why we offer marine insurance cover that’s tailored to your needs. Our comprehensive cover can include:
- Cruising ranges can be tailored to your individual requirements
- No excess on non-fault claims whilst moored in a UK marina
- Road transit up to 9 metres with option to extend
- Up to 25% no claims bonus protected
- In house claims team to support you from start to finish
- Discount for RYA members
- Policy arranged on market value but can consider agreed value
Protection from the unforeseen
- Accidental damage including fire and theft
- Personal accident cover
- £5 million third party cover
Get a quote for yacht cover
Call us or request a quote today – our experts are always on hand to support you.
Need something specific?
We’re perfectly positioned to find you comprehensive cover tailored to your specific needs. We can also alter your yacht insurance policy to include the right cover for you:
- Dinghy and tender
- Outboard engine
- Life raft
- Personal belongings
- Special equipment – for example portable navigational equipment
We're unable to quote for steamboats online. Please call the team to get a quote.
What’s included in our yacht insurance cover?
We’re always transparent about what’s included in our yacht insurance cover. But if you’re not sure what kind of cover you need, our friendly team is on hand to help.
We take your personal requirements into account to provide you with the level of cover that’s right for you.
Please note this list is not exhaustive – refer to your full policy documents for details.
What is insured?
The right cover for you and your yacht:
- Loss or damage to your insured property by one or more of the following: Accident, fire, theft, malicious damage and vandalism
- Loss or damage occurring during hauling out, launching and lifting by crane, including fitting out and overhauling
- Loss or damage whilst in transit by road included as standard for vessels up to 9 metres in length
- Liability to third parties and non-fare paying passengers - £5 million as standard
- Your legal costs in settling or defending a claim, solicitors fees and other expenses relating to official enquiries or coroners inquest
What's not insured?
- The cost of repairing or replacing any part that is lost or damaged because it is faulty
- Loss or damage caused by insects, marine borers, barnacles, marine growth, fungi or molluscs
- Any liabilities incurred whilst your boat is being used by, or is in the custody or control of any person employed in the marine trade in conjunction with their business.
Get a quote for yacht cover
Call us or request a quote today – our experts are always on hand to support you.
Why insure your yacht with us?
Our team are different because we understand the lifestyle of owning various types of vessels.
Having our yacht insurance experts do all the hard work lets you get back to enjoying your hobby with confidence and peace of mind.
We’re proud to offer:
- 40 years of marine broking experience, backed by the world’s leading insurance broker and risk adviser
- Real people giving you a personalised service
- A diverse team passionate about boats
- Market value and agreed value policies
- A trusted partner of the RYA
- Quality products backed by A-rated insurers
- The flexibility to buy the way you want – online or over the phone
- Access to are friendly team who is always on hand to help, especially if buying online isn’t quite right for you.
Our promise to you
We take yacht insurance seriously, so that you’ll always know you’re in the right hands. We promise to:
- Represent your interests at the time of a claim to get you the very best outcome
- Give proactive risk management advice to protect your boat
- Make it easy to make changes to your cover throughout the year.
Going the extra mile
Our dedicated team love to answer your questions and go the extra mile wherever they can. And we’re not just boat experts, we’re also experts in:
- Finding solutions to fit complex client needs
- Explaining conditions and exclusions so you don’t fall foul of them
- Explaining the process of insuring a yacht
- Explaining the risks to new yacht owners
- Walking you through the whole process of insuring a yacht.
Still not sure what yacht insurance you need?
No problem, we'd love to talk to you about your needs. Call our experts today.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. However, there are many good reasons to do so such as joining a community of over 100,000 like-minded people. Also, RYA membership comes with several exclusive benefits ranging from help and advice to offers and discounts.
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Not automatically - cover is available at an additional premium, so speak to our team to arrange this for you.
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Yes, you must advise us of any relevant changes to your own or the boat’s circumstances throughout the year. It should be noted some mooring locations and/or types include limited in commission period. We are happy to discuss proposed changes before they are undertaken.
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Yes this covers passengers as long as not fare paying subject to limitations on age as per the full policy wording.
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Loss or damage to the boat is automatically covered for boats less than 30’ in length. We can cover larger boats providing the transit is undertaken by a professional transportation company using purpose built trailers, but you need to notify us in advance.
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Marine insurance is not actually a legal requirement in the UK. But, if you are considering buying a yacht, it makes sense to protect your investment.
Evidence of third party cover is compulsory at most marinas, harbours and in recognised mooring areas. In order to get an inland waterways licence, you may need to produce proof of third party cover.
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Broadly speaking this covers claims you legally have to pay as a result of owning your boat for injury to other people or damage to their property (reference should be made to full terms and conditions of the policy)
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While it is not usually a legal requirement on most waters, having appropriate cover makes sound financial sense. Marine mortgage companies for instance insist on compulsory insurance as part of their money lending process. However, there are two stand-out reasons why boat insurance is important:
- Firstly you have to protect your capital investment against loss or damage which ultimately could result in a large and costly repair bill if the worst were to happen.
- Secondly having adequate boat insurance can help to protect you against any third party liability for injury or damage caused by you or your vessel. Third party liability is usually the most frequent claim we receive when it comes to boat insurance.
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Yes. All new policies sold online and renewals can be paid for by Debit and Credit Card. Some policies have an option to pay by finance which is offered via Close Brothers Premium Finance.
Whilst not offered online, some Insurers may also offer a direct debit. Please contact us if you wish to learn of different methods of payment and whether Direct Debit is offered or if you wish to pay via finance.
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We make individual client administration charges per policy (up to a maximum of 3 policies, per policy period) to cover the costs associated with administering your insurances e.g. arranging a new policy, carrying out short-period or mid-term cancellations, mid-term changes, providing replacement or duplicate documents and for other administrative tasks. We will advise you of the amount of fee before you become liable to pay it. Individual charges will not be made in relation to employee benefit related products.
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Our portal provides 24/7 access to your account and policy documents.
The portal enables us to be more environmentally friendly as we reduce the amount of printed policies and adopt a digital approach.
To access your documents, simply log into your Account, click on "Your Policies" and then select the "View" button on the policy. From here you can download the document if needed.
Please note that under your account, there is a button titled "Documents". This button is for uploading documents and not for accessing your policy documents.
Log-in to portal
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Yes. You can manage your policy renewal online. We will inform you by email within 28 days before your renewal date and upload all your renewal documentation onto the portal for you to review.
If you have not heard from us prior to the renewal, please check your documentation carefully in case there has been a change to your circumstances to prevent accidental underinsurance or a gap in cover.
You can also make payment online for your renewal by card and where applicable by Premium Finance or Direct Debit. If you had paid your previous years policy by Direct Debit, please contact us as it is not uncommon for renewals on Direct Debits to renew automatically.
Please don't assume your policy has been renewed until you have received confirmation from us.
If you are concerned about your policy, please call us prior to the date of renewal and one of our Team will be happy assist you.
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Unfortunately you can not make changes online. If you need to make any changes to your policy please contact us on 0204 579 8057 or by email at insurance@bishopskinner.com.
Any cancellation will also need to be handled offline. Please note that all policies are contracts and there may be stipulations that could affect any refund amount due. Such examples include:
- Any claims made within the period of insurance (excluding claims made in previous years unless made under Professional Indemnity or claims that have been settled as non fault or where the claim has been settled with no payment being made).
- The Insurers terms and conditions stated within the Policy Wording states that any cancellation in cover are non refundable.
- Some Insurers may place a condition that if a refund is below a set amount, there will be no refund due to processing fees.
Should you wish to discuss this in more detail or to check if any of the above applies to your policy, please contact us and one of our Team will advise you accordingly.
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The knowledge that experienced claims professionals will support you is just as important as the policy cover.
Our dedicated in-house claims team will be by your side, fighting your corner from start to finish. We promise to be there when it matters most.
Our claims service
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