yacht policy meaning

• Yachting for beginners
• Owning a yacht
• Motor Yachts
• Sailing Yacht
• Indian Ocean
• Mediterranean
• Buying or Selling a Yacht
• Yachting Events
• FAQ – Luxury Yacht Charter
• FAQ – Buying a Yacht
• FAQ – Sell your Yacht
• How Much Does It Cost To Charter A Luxury Yacht?
• All our Blog Post & News

Yacht Insurance: The Definitive Owner’s Guide

A sailing vessel’s indemnification liability coverage is provided through yacht insurance, and it covers any damage to the yacht’s body, property destruction of others, and private property damage aboard the vessel. This insurance may also cover gas supply, towing, and help if your boat gets stuck, depending on the insurance company.

Understanding The Two Parts of Yacht Insurance

Hull insurance.

Hull insurance is a direct and all-risk insurance policy that covers damage and includes an agreed amount of hull insurance. The amount settlement is done when the policy is drawn up, and the payment is in full in the event of a total loss. In addition, there’s the possibility of replacement costs insurance for partial losses. Still, sails, batteries, canvas outboards, and sometimes outdrives aren’t covered and are instead at risk of depreciation.

Indemnity and protection (P&I)

Protection and indemnity (P&I) insurance provides the most comprehensive insurance coverages for liability. Because maritime law is unique, you must have coverages specifically designed to protect you from risk-taking situations. P&I will cover any judgments against you and pay to defend you in admiralty courts.

What are the factors that can influence your yacht insurance?

Insurers consider many factors when deciding whether to offer a policy.

Almost any vessel can be insured – for a price. You should consider the following to make sure the policy you buy meets your needs:

• Age of the vessel
• Value (make sure you consider depreciation over the years of the value of your yacht)
• Speed/Power
• Type of vessel (Sailing, motor, Inboard, Outboard, utility, cruiser, offshore fishing boat)
• Custom built (boats without serial numbers can be tricky to insure)
• Location of use (which ocean are you planning to locate your boat. Make sure you let your insurance know whenever this changes over the months!)

What does yacht insurance usually cover?

Usually, the yacht insurance covers:

Liability protection: the bare minimum insurance

Property damage liability pays for damage to another person’s property caused by the accident you commit. You are covered if your yacht causes damage to individuals or damages other ships, docks, or buildings. Remember that harm or damage might occur due to direct contact with your boat or events induced by your yacht, such as during heavy wakes. In most cases, boat liability insurance covers you against covered claims and litigation involving settlements and legal expenses. To ensure that you have the right coverage, talk to your advisor regarding your needs and potential dangers.

Hull and machinery coverage

Hull insurance will cover any physical injury to your boat, including motors, trailers and equipment, and even accessories in many instances. Damage from wind and fire are typical claim types.

Uninsured boater coverage

Indemnifies bodily injured passengers of the insured watercraft who suffer injuries due to the uninsured owner of a different vessel.

Search and rescue

The maximum amount is $10,000 for costs that an insured incurs to a government entity like the United States Coast Guard (USCG), which provides emergency assistance and is covered at absolutely no cost.

Marine environmental damage and pollution coverage

This protection is available up to $10,000 in penalties and fines in the event of marine environmental damage as per the policy’s conditions. This coverage is added to the insurance company’s liability and OPA limit.

Agreed value coverage or actual cash value coverage

A cash value policy offers lower coverage than an agreed value insurance policy, however, generally with a lower cost. ACV policies provide coverage up to the value of the vessel. ACV policy would protect up to the price of the market for the boat if there was a complete loss, including depreciation and conditions of the vessel when it suffered the loss.

Crew medical and personal coverage

Reasonable medical and related costs are covered for all onboard passengers leaving or boarding the vessel. These benefits are granted per person instead of per event.

If your vessel gets damaged by accident, collision insurance is an optional insurance policy that covers the cost of fixing and replacing the damaged part with less deductible.

Sinking and wreck removal

Insurance for boats generally can cover sinking. However, there are some critical policy limitations. In general, insurance for boats should protect your boat if it sinks due to any covered risk. The policy could reimburse you for the cost of salvage or removal.

What is usually excluded from yacht insurance policies or comes as an extra?

War coverage

Damages caused by acts of war can turn out to be too great to insure, making the repayment too astronomical to be true.

Hurricane insurance

Your boat insurance provider may be able to pay for damages to your vessel caused by wind and hail from a storm in the event of a hurricane unless stated explicitly in the policy. Contact your boat insurance provider to find out what coverage you have during a storm.

Marine life encounters

Most insurance for boats doesn’t provide coverage for marine-related damage such as sharks, whales, and many other species. If you frequently sail in water full of marine creatures, it is possible to discuss a supplemental insurance policy with your insurance provider.

Insects and mold

The majority of yacht insurance policies do not cover insects and mold. It is essential to take the necessary steps to safeguard yourself against any pests on your vessel. So, this means that you must wash, drain, and dry your boat’s equipment after use.

Toys and PWC onboard

The PWC onboard may need to have a separate insurance policy as it is an expensive purchase.

Negligence or criminal acts

No insurance company is accountable for paying for the illegal actions of other people. Damage or loss due to reckless negligence and incompetence is also not acceptable.

Most insurance coverage for boats won’t cover certain events, such as racing on a yacht. Suppose you plan to use your boat to compete. In that case, you might want to consult your insurance representative about supplemental insurance, precisely the possibility of additional liability insurance if there’s a crash in the course.

Kidnapping and ransom

Because of the high stakes involved – human life and assets such as vessels and cargo — as well as the criminal character and challenging legal context, resolving a hijacking or abduction for ransom is a difficult task. Hence, kidnapping and ransom are not included in yacht insurance.

What do you need to know before picking a yacht insurance policy?

When evaluating physical damage cover, the most significant question is whether the insurance is focused on “agreed value” or “actual cash value” damage payout. If there is a complete loss, most agreed value coverage covers the amount shown on the insurance contract. After depreciation, you will receive compensation.

The actual cash value coverage offers protection up to the vessel’s present market worth at the moment of complete loss, after depreciation and the deductibles.

Although the coverage is smaller in an actual cash value insurance than in agreed value insurance, the policy is generally inexpensive.

The next thing you want to consider while choosing your insurance is the deductible and premium.

The amount you self-insure in the case of a loss is your yacht insurance deductibles. Put another way, it is the amount you spend on claims before your insurance comes in.

The next is premium. Choose insurance that can fit your budget to pay your premium on time without fail. 

Another thing to consider is the Intended cruising area. Some policies put restrictions or have a defined area while cruising. So, choose an insurance policy that suits your cruising area so that in case of mishaps, you can get coverage.

Yacht Insurance Requirements

Is yacht insurance mandatory?

While it’s not usually a legal necessity, it is always a good idea. It’s unlikely to cost much, but it might save you a lot of money in a disaster. Even if you or your captain are the finest sailor on the planet, you must consider what would happen if someone else collides with your yacht.

Changing weather may damage your boat, yet you usually have little control over it. Fortunately, most yacht insurance policies aren’t too costly, and the modest additional cost may provide comfort while cruising on the sea.

Does the bank require insurance while you finance the yacht?

Yes, your bank may require proof of yacht insurance if you want to finance the yacht.

Do ports and marinas need your yacht insurance?

For utilizing their facilities, numerous ports and marinas will need you to have boat insurance.

Does renting the yacht require insurance?

If you intend to rent out your yacht, you must have coverage to safeguard your asset, and yacht insurance can be highly beneficial. If you want to rent your yacht, you must get boat insurance to protect yourself from liability hazards, and the insurance covers the majority of liability concerns.

Read also : The yacht charter experience ladder

How much does a yacht insurance cost?

Usually, yacht insurance costs between 1% and 5% percent of the yacht’s value. For instance, you may spend around $2,500 annually to insure a boat worth $100,000.

However, similar to other types of insurance, the cost of your boat insurance depends on you and your vessel. The higher the value of a boat, the greater the insurance cost. Yacht insurance is often costlier than floating insurance since yachts are more expensive. High-powered boats are riskier. Thus, insurance companies consider the kind of engine (inboard or outboard, amount of horsepower, and so on).

How can I lower my yacht insurance cost?

Here are a few steps that you can take to lower your insurance cost.

Limit the cruising area of your yacht

There are navigational restrictions in marine rules, meaning you may only sail inside a specified region. The premiums will be less the smaller and securer the area is.

Have good training and driving records

Insurance companies are interested in your expertise on the water. The completion of a boating course demonstrates proficiency, which reduces your risk. Most insurance companies would consider boating lessons, but they may even provide a rate reduction. Contact your agent to determine whether safety-related boating classes impact your premium rates.

Lower the liability limits

Most insurance companies will require your credit score to establish suitable premiums. Maintaining a good credit score has several advantages, including cheaper insurance prices. To lower your liability limits, consider working on your credit score.

Pick a higher deductible to reduce the premium of your insurance

A greater deductible implies that the policyholder will be responsible for a percentage of the claim, hence decreasing the occurrence of claims. You choose to pay a part of the claim by raising your deductibles out of your cash, and the company will eagerly reduce your premium.

Choose seasonal insurance during the offseason

Fire, theft, vandalism, and winter storms can all cause significant damage and financial burden. You won’t be insured for any winter tragedy that strikes your yacht during the off-season if you don’t have insurance. You’ll be responsible for possibly astronomical expenditures.

Pick a modern boat rather than an old one

A new yacht will cost less to insure than an older one. This is because older ones are susceptible to acquiring defects, while newer ones are not. Further, you can take several steps to improve your yacht’s safety, contributing to lowering your cost. Like, installing an autonomous fire control system may decrease the danger of fire damage and make you eligible for a premium reduction. Additionally, safety devices like radar, depth finders, first aid kits, GPS, emergency kits, and EPIRBs may reduce the danger.

Our advice to find the best insurance broker at the best cost for a yacht

Avoid using your home and car insurer for yachts above 27”.

Usually, boat insurance is meant for vessels less than 26 feet long. Yachts are generally longer than 27 feet, have far more powerful engines, and cost more than smaller vessels.

Yachts typically go greater distances and deeper seas, transport more passengers, need a crew and have several equipment and personal possessions. These variables result in distinct risk exposures and need particular insurance policies, coverage choices, and deductibles.

Maritime law governs rather than state or federal law in deeper seas, which may be more complex. If your boat has a crew, you might be obliged to have Harbor workers and Longshoreman’s covers.

Partnering with an advisor who knows the worth of your boat and how you intend to use your boat can assist you in getting the necessary coverage for any potential catastrophes. You will also need specific insurance coverage if you own a high-performance boat due to the increased risk.

Pick a trustable company with expertise in marine insurance

You can choose your regular insurance provider to get your marine insurance. There are several maritime governing rules when you decide to sail on the sea or plan to sail overseas. Additionally, it is essential to engage with a provider that has a deep understanding of boat and yacht coverage. This is vital at the time of insurance application and in the severe case of a claim.

Special needs might require custom policies

If you have any special needs, additional coverage choices are available for medical costs, private possessions, the boat’s transportation equipment, and more that may be added to any plan. However, that relies on the type of insurance provider you choose.

Optional coverage extensions:

• Trip disruption
• Private property
• Trailer Coverage
• Towing and Emergency Roadside Service
• Uninsured Watercraft
• Individual Liability

Get an experienced yacht broker to help you navigate policies.

You may have 100 policies in front of you and many lucrative offers claiming several things. Yet, making the right insurance takes time and a better understanding of all the coverage. So, an experienced broker can help you navigate all these policies and select one that fits your budget and particular situation.

The best companies for yacht insurance

Many insurance firms provide boat insurance at affordable prices. Shop around to ensure that you receive the necessary information to make an educated selection. Also, there are several websites that offer evaluations of various insurance providers and are excellent starting points for your study.

Communicate with other sailors; determine which aspects they value and why. You would be in a position to make the most excellent option for your requirements when you analyze the services of various companies.

Being on the ocean is a feeling of serenity, tranquility, and impending new experiences. So, this is an encounter you want to go on forever. Further, your sailing boat is a significant investment. Hence, consider having your luxury boat insured to cherish the best of life and keep your investment safe.

Don’t take chances with your yacht, act now and ensure a safe and worry-free sailing experience

Now that you understand the importance of yacht insurance, don’t wait any longer to protect your valuable asset. Contact us today to get a quote and secure peace of mind on the water. Our team of experts will guide you through the process and help you choose the best coverage for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

All ship and yacht owners are obliged to have marine insurance, mainly when the vessels will be utilized for commercial or transit reasons and move people, labor, or goods overseas.

our yacht insurance usually protects your yacht against frequent dangers such as drowning, storm, fire, collisions, and theft. You may also be protected by boat insurance if you accidentally harm somebody or destroy their property. Your coverage may cover the following boat components: machinery, attached equipment, hull.

The exclusions from yacht insurance policies include: criminal actions of others, insect infestations, lack of due diligence on the part of the assured or managers, common wear and tear, loss resulting from delay, and intentional wrongdoing by the captain or crew.

The typical cost of boat coverage is between $200 and $500 per year. However, insurance may cost between 1 and 5 percent of the boat’s worth for a yacht or sailboat. For instance, you may spend around $2,500 annually to insure a boat worth $100,000.

Sailboat owners often spend between $250 and $1,500 annually to protect their yachts. This price varies depending on various criteria, including insurance type and insurance amounts, and sailboats usually are less costly to cover than powerboats.

Annual insurance on the yacht will range at roughly 1.5 percent of the boat’s value. The cost to insure a catamaran depends on hull valuation, location, and the boat’s operation.

The insurance coverage of a mega yacht or a super yacht can be around $240,000.

To reduce the cost of yacht insurance, you can take the following steps: installing safety equipment, demonstrating better boat riding skills by undertaking a boating course, considering your deductibles, limiting your sailing area or working on credit scores.

Hull relates to the vessel’s body. The insurance will cover unexpected damage or loss to the boat anywhere inside the policy’s specified maritime boundaries.

Usually, classic boat insurance is provided by specialized insurance firms who specialize or have experience in protecting classic and antique vessels. For covering your old boat, get a quotation from a specialized insurer and verify that your policy provides the protection you want for a sense of security.

Luxury Yacht Charters in Croatia : Our Guide

Mediterranean islands: our ultimate guide, you might also like.

OKINAWA: Hosting 10 Guests with Premium Crew Service in the Caribbean

What differentiates a yacht from a superyacht or a mega yacht?

Chartering Requirements and Regulations: A Guide for Boat Owners

• Search Search Please fill out this field.
• Personal Finance

Watercraft Insurance: What It is, How It Works

Investopedia contributors come from a range of backgrounds, and over 25 years there have been thousands of expert writers and editors who have contributed.

• Property Insurance: Definition and How Coverage Works
• The Importance of Property Insurance
• Personal Liability Insurance
• Scheduled Personal Property
• Non-Scheduled Personal Property
• Floater Insurance
• Unscheduled Property Floater
• Wear-and-Tear Exclusion
• Jewelry Floater
• Designer Clothes
• Consignments
• Guide to Landlord Insurance
• Best Landlord Insurance
• Do You Need Mobile Home Insurance?
• Modular vs. Manufactured Home Insurance
• How to Insure Your Tiny Home
• Watercraft CURRENT ARTICLE
• Umbrella Insurance
• How Umbrella Policies Work

What Is Watercraft Insurance?

Watercraft insurance is an umbrella term for three types of insurance: boat insurance , yacht insurance , and personal watercraft insurance. It protects against damages to vessels powered by a motor that has a horsepower of at least 25 miles per hour (mph). Examples of the types of costs covered by watercraft insurance policies include physical loss or damage to the boat, theft of the boat, and towing.

Key Takeaways

• Watercraft insurance is an umbrella term for three types of insurance: boat insurance, yacht insurance, and personal watercraft insurance.
• The type of coverage you buy is dictated by the size of your vessel.
• Although watercraft insurance is not required in many states, many boat owners choose to purchase it anyway.
• Boat-loan providers and marinas often require boat owners to have watercraft insurance.

How Watercraft Insurance Works

Depending on the policy, there may also be watercraft liability coverage for bodily injury to people other than the boat’s owner and family, guest passengers using the boat by themselves, and medical payments for injury to the owner and their family. Some policies, however, require the purchase of additional liability coverage as an add-on. The specific type of insurance you buy is dictated by the size of your vessel.

Watercraft insurance is similar to other types of insurance products. In exchange for paying a series of insurance premiums, the policyholder receives protection from certain rare but potentially costly risks. Depending on factors such as the size of the craft, its age, and its intended uses, the premium costs may range from relatively inexpensive to pricey. When underwriting a policy, an insurance company will also consider the policyholder’s track record of previous claims.

Boat Insurance

Any vessel under 197 feet long is considered a boat, while ships are 197 feet or longer. The dividing line between boat and yacht is less settled. Some sources define a yacht as at least 30 feet long. Anything shorter is a pleasure boat. For insurance purposes, the National Boat Owners Association marks the dividing line at 27 feet.

Small craft, such as canoes, rowboats, small sailboats, and powerboats with less than 25 miles-per-hour horsepower may be covered under a standard homeowners or renter’s insurance policy. However, such coverage is unlikely to include liability insurance. Typical boat insurance covers theft; physical damage to the boat itself due to a collision or striking a submerged object; property damage to the boat caused by vandalism, a windstorm, or lightning; and medical payments for injured passengers and the owner and their family. For each coverage, there will be different deductibles, which is how much you must pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. Boat insurance will often provide better liability insurance than a homeowners policy, but it is often wise to purchase additional liability coverage as an add-on.

In the event of a total loss, it is important to know whether your policy pays actual cash value (ACV) or agreed value (AV). ACV is cheaper because it only pays for what the boat was worth at the time of the loss, factoring in depreciation and wear and tear on the vessel. AV pays a price that you and your insurer agree upon in advance, an amount that is likely to be closer to the amount you paid for the boat when new.

Other considerations for boat insurance can include:

• Lay-up period —This covers your boat for property damage during the off-season, when it isn’t in the water.
• Navigational territory —Your insurance will generally specify where you can go in your boat and still be covered.
• Property damage —This is for damage your boat inflicts on someone else’s property.
• Hurricane haul-out provisions —This covers your costs of getting the boat out of harm’s way before a windstorm. 
• On-water towing and assistance —This is for unexpected breakdowns or running aground.
• Fuel spill liability protection —Should there be an accidental discharge of fuel from your boat, this will cover the costs of a clean-up.
• Personal effects coverage —This will protect any expensive equipment you have on your boat, such as fishing gear
• Ice and freeze coverage —Should cold weather damage your boat’s engine and water systems, this will pay the bill.

Yacht Insurance

Most yacht coverage is broader and more specialized than pleasure boat coverage because larger vessels travel farther and are exposed to greater risks. It also generally costs more, in part because yachts cost more . In terms of a deductible, it is usually determined as a percentage of the insured value. With a 1% deductible, a boat insured for $175,000 would have a $1,750 deductible. Most lenders allow a maximum deductible of 2% of the insured value.

Generally, yacht insurance coverage does not include wear and tear, gradual deterioration, marine life, marring, denting, scratching, animal damage, osmosis, blistering, electrolysis, manufacturer’s defects, defects in design, and ice and freezing.

There are two main parts of a yacht insurance policy: hull insurance and protection and indemnity (P&I). The first is an all-risk, direct damage coverage that includes an AV for hull coverage, and in the case of a total loss, it will be paid out in full. Replacement cost  coverage on partial losses is also available. However, sails, canvas, batteries, outboards, and sometimes outdrives are usually subject to depreciation instead.

P&I insurance is the broadest of all liability coverages, and because maritime law is particular, you will need coverages that are designed for those exposures. Longshore and harbor workers’ coverage and  Jones Act  coverage (for the yacht’s crew) are included and are important because your losses in these areas could run into six figures. P&I will cover any judgments against you and also pay for your defense in  admiralty courts .

Personal Watercraft Insurance

Personal watercraft insurance is for recreational vehicles such as Jet Skis , Sea-Doos, and Yamaha Wave Runners. These surface-skimming craft can have engines with horsepower anywhere from 60 mph to 310 mph. They usually are not covered by homeowners insurance, and even when they are, the coverage limits are low.

Personal watercraft insurance covers the owner and anyone they allow to use the craft for risks such as:

• Bodily injury to another person
• Bodily injury to you that is caused by an uninsured watercraft operator
• Liability in the form of legal costs if you’re sued due to an accident (which can include water sports liability for things such as waterskiing risks)
• Property damage to another watercraft, a boat, or a dock
• Towing after an accident

Deductibles and liability limits will vary depending upon the policy and the company offering it. You can buy additional coverage for trailers and accessories and, if you own more than one craft, you may be able to bundle your insurance policies for a discount. These pleasure vehicles are easy to use but can also be dangerous, causing thousands of injuries every year, which makes personal watercraft insurance a wise investment.

Watercraft insurance policies may limit the geographic areas in which the boat or watercraft can be operated while maintaining coverage. These often include inland waterways, rivers, and lakes, as well as ocean waters within a certain number of miles from shore.  

Do I Need Watercraft Insurance?

Only a few states make it mandatory for boat owners to obtain watercraft insurance. However, many owners will opt to purchase it regardless, partly because doing so is required in order to obtain a boat loan . Marinas may also require owners to have watercraft insurance as a condition within their rental agreements.

Even if your craft isn’t worth much money, obtaining watercraft insurance is a good idea because of the risk of injury on the water, especially from a collision. Even if you aren’t at fault, you could spend a lot of money in legal fees defending yourself—much more than your insurance premiums. If you do decide to purchase this insurance, make a point of comparing policies from multiple companies before deciding on which is best for you. As with all insurance, the question is what price you put on having peace of mind.

Insurance Information Institute. " I.I.I.: Know Your Boat’s Insurance Coverage from Stem to Stern ." Accessed Feb. 6, 2022.

Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology. " Definitions of: Boat, Yacht, Small Craft, and Related Terms ." Accessed Feb. 6, 2022.

National Boat Owners Association (NBOA). " The Best Yacht Insurance Rates ." Accessed Feb. 6, 2022.

DiscoverBoating.com. " Boat Insurance Guide: Boat Insurance Coverage FAQs: What is a normal deductible? " Accessed Feb. 6, 2022.

National Marine Lenders Association. " Insurance: Large Boats: What’s Not Covered? " Accessed Feb. 6, 2022.

DiscoverBoating.com. " Boat Insurance Guide ." Accessed Feb. 6, 2022.

Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatUS). " Do I Need Boat Insurance? " Accessed Feb. 6, 2022.

• Terms of Service
• Editorial Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Your Privacy Choices