Our boat insurance is flexible so can cater for a wide range of vessel types, from canoes and windsurfers to ocean going motor cruisers and sailing yachts. The risk information required, and the types of cover available, will vary based on the vessel type, but this dynamically managed within a quote based on the vessel type selected.

It is possible to arrange:

• Sailing Dinghy Insurance
• Other Sail Boat Insurance (Yachts & Keelboats etc)
• Motorboat Insurance
• Motor Cruiser Insurance
• RIB Insurance (Including SIBs)
• Personal Watercraft (PWC) & Jet Ski Insurance
• Narrowboat Insurance
• Other River & Canal Boat Insurance 
• Windsurfer Insurance
• Paddleboard Insurance
• Canoe Insurance
• Kayak Insurance
• Sculls & Sweeps Insurance
• Other Rowing Boat Insurance

Unfortunately, there are some types of vessel which we are currently unable to cater for, including those which are used for commercial purposes other than charter (e.g. commercial trawlers, commercial ferries etc).

When you produce an online boat insurance quote you will be asked to select the make and model of your vessel from our list of over 15,000 craft.

If your boat’s make and model is not listed, you will be offered a list of vessel ‘types’ to select from. Depending on the type you choose, you may be asked a couple of confirmation questions, after which you will be able to enter the make and model of your boat.

Some owners may arrange finance when they buy their boat, and such loans are often called ‘marine mortgages’. The finance company will usually require that the boat is insured, and also that their financial interest is noted on the boat insurance policy.

We include the facility for boat owners to note the details of any mortgage on the policy, including the value of the loan, the contact details of the mortgage company concerned, and their financial interest in the boat.   

Depending on the age, type, and construction material of their boat, some owners may be required to make a declaration regarding the vessel’s state before they can obtain boat insurance. Others may even be required to undertake, or to have recently undertaken, an independent survey to confirm the state of the vessel, and to declare that all work required to make it seaworthy has been completed.

When you enter the details of your vessel for an online boat insurance quote you will be informed whether there is any requirement for either a self-declaration or a survey before cover can be arranged.  

If you wish to insure any outboards on your boat or its tender, you can usually do so by specifying them individually on the policy (i.e. adding details of their make, model, value etc).

Note, to be insured you must also keep a record of the serial number of the outboard(s) and ensure that you meet any security requirements, such as using an outboard lock to attach it to the vessel or keeping it in a locked building while it is ashore.

These are the geographical area(s) and waterway types within which the applicable cover provided by the boat insurance will operate.

When you obtain an online boat insurance quote, you can use a mapping tool to specify exactly which areas you want covered, and also to select the waterway types in which you will use the boat (e.g. inland waterways, coastal water up to 6 miles off shore etc).

As with most other aspects of your cover, you can amend your cruising area online if your requirements change.

You can define the precise cruising area where you wish your boat insurance to operate. This can include most of the seas and inland waterways around Europe (e.g. North Sea, Baltic, English Channel, Irish Sea, East Atlantic, Mediterranean etc).

We may also be able to arrange insurance to travel further afield (e.g. the Caribbean) although this would be subject to referral to the underwriters for consideration.

The insurance requirements of different countries vary based on factors such as the size and type of boat involved and what it is being used for. These requirements can also vary over time so if you are intending to cruise in the waters of another country, please check with them what their minimum boat insurance requirements are before you depart.

Some countries (e.g. Greece, Italy and Spain) may require you to produce evidence that you hold appropriate insurance that meets their minimum requirements. If you have included the territorial waters of any of these countries in the cruising area for your policy, we will automatically produce a certificate as part of your policy schedule to provide such evidence.

Greece, Italy, and Spain may require you to produce evidence that you hold appropriate boat insurance that meets their minimum requirements. If you have included the territorial waters of any of these countries in the cruising area for your policy, we will automatically produce a certificate as part of your policy schedule to provide such evidence.

As part of the process of setting up a policy you can define a Cruising Area which is the geographical area(s) and waterway types within which the applicable cover provided by the boat insurance will operate. The cruising area itself must be within the overall Geographical Limits for the policy, which is the area within which we can normally arrange cover automatically without referral to an underwriter. The Geographical Limits are shown to the right.

We are unable to provide cover for vessels whose required cruising area is routinely outside of the Geographical limits. However, where a vessel's normal cruising area is within the Geographical Limits but a policyholder want to make a short voyage outside the limits, this mat be possible by submitting a Special Cover request. 

‘Permitted uses’ are the purposes for which you will be insured to use your vessel, as stated in your policy schedule. The permitted use options will vary depending on the type of boat involved:

• Most owners may just want to use their boat for their own ‘Private and Pleasure’ purposes.
• Some may wish to use it for a commercial purpose such as chartering it out.
• Other owners may wish to use their boat for higher risk activities such as racing.
• Owners of motorboats may wish to use the vessel for water skiing or for towing water toys.
• If the boat is also your permanent residence you may wish to insure it as a houseboat.

You can select your required permitted uses when creating your online boat insurance quote. Should you go on to arrange cover you will also be able to amend them online during the year as required.

It is possible to extend the permitted uses for certain types of vessel to include racing, and there are various racing options available:

• For smaller vessels (e.g. canoes, kayaks, sailing dinghies) cover can be arranged to participate in any racing event.
• For larger sailing yachts cover can be included for certain types of racing (e.g. Club), and cover also requested for participation in specific, named events.
• For most sailing vessels cover can also be selected to include loss or damage to masts, sails, spars and rigging (MSSR) while the boat is being used for racing. In this case the owner will be asked to provide an estimate of the new replacement value of such items.
• The owner of any type of vessel which is involved in racing will also be given the option to cover the costs of any pre-booked races that they are unable to participate in because of insured loss or damage to the boat.   

Owners of eligible vessels can select the type of racing cover they want when creating an online boat insurance quote. Various restrictions and requirements apply to each of these uses, full details of which are available as part of the quote process.

It is possible to extend the permitted uses for certain types of motorised vessel to include cover for liability to or of any person who is water skiing, wakeboarding or knee-boarding.

There are various restrictions which apply to this option, such as limits on the numbers of people who can be towed and the requirement to have a responsible person on the boat other than the driver to monitor the people being towed. Full details of any restrictions are available as part of the online boat insurance quote process. 

It is possible to extend the permitted uses for certain types of motorised vessel to include towing of water toys (i.e. a purpose manufactured towing tube or ring). This covers liability to or of any person being towed.

There are various restrictions which apply to this option, such as limits on the numbers of people who can be towed, the requirement to have a responsible person on the boat other than the driver to monitor the people being towed, and that the toys must be towed in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements. Full details of any restrictions are available as part of the online boat insurance quote process. 

It is possible to extend the permitted uses of certain types of vessel to include their being chartered out. There are various chartering options including:

• Skipper charter: Hire of the vessel to a third party where the owner or their appointed skipper remains in control of the vessel, but specifically excluding use by the charterer for fishing, diving or training.
• Skipper charter – Fishing: Standard skipper charter specifically for the purpose of fishing by the charterer.
• Skipper charter – Diving: Standard skipper charter specifically for the purpose of diving by the charterer.
• Skipper charter – Tuition: Standard skipper charter specifically for the purpose of provision of tuition to or by the charterer.
• Bareboat charter: Hire of the vessel to a third party for a protracted period where they are in control of the vessel.
• Day hire: Hire of the vessel to a third party for period of 24 hours or less where they are in control of the vessel.

Owners of eligible vessels can select the type of charter cover they want when creating an online boat insurance quote. Various restrictions and requirements apply to each of these uses, full details of which are available as part of the quote process.   

It is possible to extend the permitted uses of certain types of vessel to include their use as a ‘club’ boat for training and pleasure purposes, subject to the policyholder being the club itself.

Owners of eligible vessels can select the type of charter cover they want when creating an online boat insurance quote. Various restrictions and requirements apply to this option such as complying with all applicable regulations, provision of buoyancy aids, and for users to be fully aware of any rules relating to the use of the vessel. Full details of any restrictions are available as part of the quote process.

It is possible to extend the permitted use of narrowboats and motor barges to include their use as a houseboat, subject to them being the owner’s primary residence and still being actively used to navigate waterways each year.

Where a vessel is a houseboat it may also be possible to extend the boat insurance to include cover for its contents.

If you wish to use the boat for a purpose other than those listed as permitted use options, we may still be able to provide cover, although this would be subject to referral to the underwriters for consideration.

When creating an online boat insurance quote you can choose whether you want to restrict who may be in control of the vessel to yourself only or whether you also wish to allow other people to be in control of it. By ‘in control’ we mean on-board the vessel and responsible for overseeing its safe operation while it is in use, even if not at the helm for all of that time.

If you select to allow people, other than yourself, to be in control of the vessel then, depending on the type of vessel involved, they will need to meet certain minimum requirements in relation to their age, experience, qualifications and claims history. Full details of any requirements are available as part of the quote process.

Tenders are watercraft which are used for the operation of the boat insured and which form part of its equipment. Not all types of vessel can have a tender (e.g. PWC would not normally have a tender), and not all types of vessel can be used as a tender (e.g. a yacht could not normally be a tender)

If you wish to insure a tender you can usually do so by specifying it on your boat insurance policy (i.e. adding details of make, model, value etc). 

Note, to be insured tenders must also be marked permanently with a unique identification, such as the name of the main vessel. 

Trailers and trolleys are non-motorised devices specifically designed to move your vessel on land, with the distinction being trailers are designed to be attached to a motorised road vehicle while trolleys are not.

The ‘Trailers and Trolleys’ cover option can provide cover for the cost of loss or damage to your trailer or trolley arising from specific causes such as theft, fire, and accidental collision.

When creating an online boat insurance quote you can choose what value you wish to insure your trailer or trolley for up to a limit which will vary based on whether it is a trailer or trolley. You can also select, within certain limits, what level of excess you are prepared to pay in the event of a claim.

There are various exclusions which apply to this option, such as theft of a trailer is not secured by a hitchlock when attached to a vehicle or for damage to the trailer’s tyres from braking or punctures.

This option is only available if you have also selected cover for loss or damage to the boat.

The Policy Booklet contains full details about how this cover operates, including any exclusions or conditions. Existing policyholders can download copies of the applicable Booklet for their policy by following the guide described here. Alternatively, to download the latest Policy Booklet, please click here. 

A vessel is regarded as being ‘In-Commission’ when it is ready for immediate use for any purpose permitted under the policy. Note a boat which is kept at home (e.g. a canoe or a PWC) would still be regarded as in commission if it simply requires relocating to the water to be used.

However, some owners may wish to decommission their vessel because they will not be using it for a protracted period of time such as over the winter months or because it needs to undergo some routine maintenance or repairs. Depending on their vessel type, such owners may have the option to change the boat insurance policy status to ‘Laid-Up’ which means there is no cover in force for the vessel to be used for any purpose, other than routine maintenance or repairs, or while being lifted in, hauled out or launched.

While the cover status in the policy is Laid-Up, a number of other cover options which you may have selected to operate while the cover status is ‘In-Commission’, will be suspended (e.g. emergency accommodation, emergency travel, personal accident etc). Details of any affected cover options will be highlighted to you when you change the cover status to Laid-Up.

You can do this change yourself online via the website. For details please click here

When arranging boat insurance you should insure your boat for what it would cost you to put yourself back in the same position in the event that the boat is a total loss. (i.e. owning a similar boat of a similar condition with similar features, equipment etc.)

A good starting point therefore is to try to discover the current market value of your boat. If your boat is relatively new you may be able to get a guide for its current price from the manufacturer’s website. Alternatively, you may wish to search the numerous ‘boats for sale’ websites to see if you can find a boat on offer of the same make and model with a similar specification and age.

It is important to insure your vessel for a realistic market value:

• If you set the value far too high you may be paying more premium than necessary.
• If you set the value far too low it may result in your boat being treated as a total loss following relatively minor damage, or to you having to make a contribution to the cost of a repair.  

As boats may well decline in value over time they are often insured for a value which is below the price for which they were purchased. However, there can be circumstances where you may wish to insure your boat for more than you paid for it (e.g. if you have undertaken extensive renovation work).

For this reason, depending on your type of vessel, you may be able to insure it for a value greater than you paid for it. If the increase in value is not too great then it may be possible to obtain an instant online boat insurance quote, otherwise it may be necessary to refer your request to an underwriter for consideration.

When you obtain an online boat insurance quote, you are asked to enter the boat’s value which should reflect what it would cost you to put yourself back in the same position in the event that the boat is a total loss (i.e. owning a similar boat of a similar condition with similar features, equipment etc.)

Depending on the type of boat involved you may also be asked to select a ‘Valuation Basis’, and there are two options available:

• Agreed Value: If you select this option the maximum amount that would be payable in the event of a total loss of the vessel would be the vessel value which you have chosen. Thus, if you had selected a value of £50,000, that would be the maximum amount payable.
• Market Value: If you select this option, the maximum amount that would be payable in the event of a total loss of the vessel would be the lower of the market value of the vessel at the time of the loss or the vessel value which you have chosen. Thus, if you had selected a value of £100,000, but at the time of the loss the market value of the vessel is only £80,000, then £80,000 would be the maximum amount payable. As the amount payable by the insurer on market value cases may be lower, there is usually a lower premium if selecting market value rather than agreed value as the valuation basis. 

An excess is the first amount of a claim which the policyholder has to pay. Its main purpose is to keep premiums down by reducing the number of small claims as these tend to have a high administrative cost relative to the value of the loss.

Excesses do not apply to every type of claim (e.g. claims made only under the liability cover are not usually subject to an excess).

In most instances you can chose what level of excess to pay within certain limits. As a general rule, the higher the excess the greater the discount, so excesses can be an effective way of bringing down the cost of your boat insurance policy.

Details of any excesses applying will be displayed on screen in the cover and summary pages. They will also be shown on your policy schedule.

No, it is up to each vessel’s owner to ensure that they have in place the right boat insurance to meet their needs, including the appropriate cover for whoever they permit to be in control of the vessel.

Each policy therefore only covers the specific vessel stated in the Policy Schedule.

Normally, to insure any object, be it a house, a car or a boat, you must have an ‘insurable interest’ in that object. This essentially means that in the event of its loss or damage, you are likely to suffer some form of financial loss (e.g. the cost of repairing it or even replacing it).

Ownership of the boat is normally a clear indication of having an insurable interest in it, but such interest can also arise in other ways. For example, if you hire a boat long term, and under the terms of the hire contract you are responsible for its upkeep, including making good any damage sustained, then you may well have an insurable interest in the boat. In that instance you would be able to arrange a boat insurance policy, even if you are not the owner.

It is a general requirement in insurance that a policyholder should be open and honest when disclosing information to an insurer in order to arrange their cover, as failure to do so may impact the operation of the policy.

The rules regarding the responsibilities of the policyholder for such disclosure, both in terms of the care required to ensure the information provided is accurate, and the actions the insurer can take if they fail to exercise such care, vary based on whether the policyholder is a ‘Consumer’ or ‘Non-Consumer’.

If you are a private individual, and the insurance you are arranging does not relate in any way to your trade, business, or profession, then you will be regarded as a Consumer. This means your responsibilities when disclosing information, and the remedies available to the insurer if you fail in those responsibilities, will be as set out in the ‘Disclosure by Consumers’ clause of the policy booklet.

Any policyholder who is not a private individual, or who is a private individual but is arranging the policy in relation to their trade, business or profession will be subject to the rules and remedies as set out in the ‘Disclosure by Non-Consumers’ clause of the policy booklet.

The Policy Booklet contains full details about how this cover operates, including any exclusions or conditions. Existing policyholders can download copies of the applicable Booklet for their policy by following the guide described here. Alternatively, to download the latest Policy Booklet, please click here.

Some boats may be owned by more than one person via a club or an ownership group, such as an equity group. This can present an issue if there is an insured accident where one part-owner is in command of the boat and another part-owner is on board as a passenger. As the latter is effectively also the policyholder, they would not necessarily receive the protection provided by the liability section of the policy if they sustain an injury or loss as the result of the negligence of the former.

To address this issue, we have included a ‘Member To Member Liability’ clause which extends the boat insurance in a number of ways, including to ensure that any part owner who is travelling on the boat purely as a passenger will receive the same level of protection under the liability section as would any other passenger.

The Policy Booklet contains full details about how this cover operates, including any exclusions or conditions. Existing policyholders can download copies of the applicable Booklet for their policy by following the guide described here. Alternatively, to download the latest Policy Booklet, please click here.

Should you wish to report a new claim under your boat insurance policy, please either call our 24-hour claims line, details of which can be found in your Policy Schedule or email your name, policy number and brief incident details to claims.ma.uk@visicover.com

Please note, this number / email address, is for emergency claim notification only. The claims specialists who manage it will not be able to address queries regarding any other aspect of your cover, so such queries should be emailed to enquiries.ma.uk@visicover.com.

Important – Do not make any admission of liability following a claim without first receiving written authorisation from the Insurer to do so.

We operate a system which is very similar to how No Claims Discount works on motor insurance. A new policyholder who has never had boat insurance would start with 0% NCD allowance, although they may, depending on their claims history and experience, be given an introductory allowance of up to 10%.

So long as there is no applicable claim on the policy in each subsequent year, their NCD allowance will increment to a maximum of 25% after 5 years. However, if they make an applicable claim on the policy, their NCD allowance will normally revert to 0% at next renewal.

If a new policyholder joins us who has held a boat insurance policy elsewhere and has been claims free then we would put them on the level of the NCD scale that they would have been on if they had been insured with us over the period. For example a policyholder who held a claim free policy for 3 years may get a 15% discount.

We give a discount when you insure more than two boats with us, with the level of discount increasing the more boats you insure.

The discount is awarded immediately on any new boat insurance policies and then applied to the renewal premium of any existing boat insurance policies.

If you buy a new boat, then you have two choices:

• If you purchase the new boat on the same day as you dispose of the previous one, or if there will only be a few days elapsed between you selling the old one and buying the new one, you can simply amend the details on your current boat insurance policy to show your new vessel. For information on how to do this, click here.
• If you are keeping your old boat, or have yet to sell it, then you should set up a new boat insurance policy in respect of the new vessel. For information on how to do this, click here.