Small Craft Insurance

Boat Insurance

Motorboat Insurance

Small Boat Insurance

Inland Craft Insurance

Boat Travel Insurance

Sailing Dinghy Insurance

Yacht Insurance

Sailboat Insurance

Speedboat Insurance

Sailing in a small craft can be a fun activity for both novices and experienced seamen. But whatever the experience level of the pilot, having the right insurance policy is essential for peace of mind when you are exploring open waters. Whether you are taking to the sea, or exploring the beautiful inland waterways of the UK, it is vital that you find the right insurance policy to suit your sailing needs.

At Taylor Watkins, we provide small craft insurance for a variety of vessels, including small yachts, small motorboats, small sailing boats, sailing dinghies, and small speed boats up to and including 24ft in length.

We work to match you with insurance policies that offer extensive coverage and flexibility for your specific sailing needs. Unlike other insurance comparison sites, we know that boat insurance is not a one-size-fits-all situation. We find you insurance that is specifically tailored towards the distinctive requirements of your craft, and the way that it is used.

Small craft insurance provides you with financial security against the various types of potential risks that boat owners may encounter, such as theft, boat damage, and accident liability.

Contact us now for a quick and accurate insurance quote for your small craft. 

What does Small Craft Insurance Cover?

Whether you’re planning to take your boat out to sea or cruise within inland waterways, it’s important that you find the right insurance policy to cover all of your needs. At Taylor Watkins, we work to find you a customizable insurance policy that applies to your vessel and the way that you want to use it. Small boat insurance can cover a wide variety of requirements and scenarios. Policies will vary between insurers, but some of the aspects of an insurance policy that you might expect are: 

  • Loss or damage coverage
  • In-transit cover
  • Personal effects cover
  • Third party liability cover
  • Personal accident cover
  • Non-fault excess waiver
  • Other aspects of boating, including:
    • Search, Rescue, and Evacuation
    • Mooring Fees
    • Legal Protection
    • Replacement Lock and Keys
    • Emergency Travel
    • Trailers and Trolleys
    • Houseboat Contents
    • Race Fee Cover

Benefits of Small Craft Insurance

There are many benefits of taking out a small craft insurance policy with Taylor Watkins. These include:

  • Fully Comprehensive cover
  • Cover for cruising within Inland and Coastal Waters of the UK and Europe, up to 12 nautical miles offshore.
  • Up to £5 million Third Party Liability cover as standard
  • No craft age restriction
  • Small craft hire benefit
  • Marina Benefits cover as standard
  • Security provided by Navigators & General (a trading name of Zurich Insurance PLC

 

 

Is Boat Insurance a Legal Requirement?

 

Boat insurance isn’t a legal requirement in the UK but can be in other countries. Even within the UK certain authorities may require you to hold at least Third Party Only insurance to access rivers, canals boatyards or marinas. The Canal and River Trust, which issues licences to use the majority of Britain’s waterways, specifies that boaters will need third-party cover for at least £2m and the Environment Agency, which deals with licences for the Thames, asks for at least £1m of third party cover.

Most policies will include adequate third-party cover, but check the requirements of your boat licence issuer to make sure you choose a policy that includes enough protection.

 

Should I Buy Boat Insurance if it’s Not a Legal Requirement?

 

As with any insurance you’d buy boat insurance to protect yourself against an unforeseen circumstance. The boat that you buy may represent a significant financial investment that you can’t afford to lose. You may have even secured finance on your boat purchase in which case insurance may be a condition of your finance agreement.

Sometimes given less consideration is that as owner you have a legal responsibility by owning a vessel. This could include friends and family on board that suffer injury or third parties property that you may damage with your vessel.

 

What Levels of Cover are Available with Boat Insurance?

Boat insurance in the UK only has two different options of cover: third party or comprehensive cover. Unlike motor insurance there is no option for third party fire and theft.

 

What is Third Party Only Insurance?

This is an insurance policy that covers you as the owner of the vessel or anyone in charge of the Vessel with your consent for costs that you are legally liable to pay resulting from damage to any other Vessel or property or death or injury to others.

Third Party Only Insurance is sometimes referred to as Basic Boat Liability. It is important to know that Third Party Only Insurance or Basic Boat Liability do not cover damage to your own boat. If you want this covered you’ll need a quotation for comprehensive insurance.

It is worth considering in that worst case scenario that your boat sinks you should also consider that you’d be responsible for the removal and potentially the clean up costs as well.

 

Comprehensive Boat Insurance

 

Comprehensive boat insurance and insures against both your own losses and those you cause to others. Your losses normally include any unforeseen accidental damage to your boat along with vandalism, fire and theft.

If you’re looking for comprehensive boat insurance, make sure you adequately reflect the value of your boat. This should include any extra navigational equipment, tenders or outboard motors that you may have added.

 

What Value Should I Insure My Boat For?

 

All types of boats have a value, everything from a sailing dinghy to the most expensive yachts and motorboats.

In general the value of your boat is what you have paid for it. However, this doesn’t necessarily reflect the value of your boat if you’ve added a lot of equipment to it, had the boat a long time, carried out a significant restoration or refit or it was a distressed sale. In these cases there are a number of places that you can approach to carry out a valuation on your vessel. These could be boat brokers, boat yards, marina managers or boat surveyors.

How Quickly Can I Get Insured?

At Taylor Watkins we want to get you covered as quickly as possible. Apply online today or give us a call and we will get back to you as soon as possible with a quote, usually the same day. We can get you covered within a matter of days.

If cruising within the UK or Europe, you are likely to be offered an instant quote online which can be purchased immediately.

All quotes are no obligation, free to apply and tailored to your requirements.

How Much Can I Insure?

Your motorboat policy will be issued on an agreed value basis, so in the event of a total loss claim you will be paid out what you insured the vessel for.

We offer up to £5 million Third Party Liability cover, up to 25% No Claims Bonus (with some insurers offering the option to protect this) and the option of excess waiver cover on certain policies, meaning you will not pay an excess in the event of a claim.

Whether you own a sailing boat, catamaran, dinghy or any other type of small boat,  having the right insurance policy is essential for peace of mind. After all, even the smallest boat can be worth a considerable amount of money. And whether insuring your boat is required for usage, or just good common sense, it is essential that you find the right insurance policy to suit your specific needs.

Luckily, at Taylor Watkins, we are able to provide a wide variety of specialist insurance options that will ensure that you find the right cover. We search to find you the best and most affordable cover available, so that you can feel both confident and safe while exploring the waters of the UK.

What does small boat insurance cover?

Whether you are looking to leisurely cruise in the inland waterways of the UK, or to take your vessel further afield, it is vital that you get the right insurance policy to cover all of your needs. Everyone’s boating requirement is different so it is important that you get the specific policy that applies to your vessel and the way in which you want to use it. Small boat insurance can cover a wide variety of requirements and scenarios, including:

  • Damage to the boat. Repairs or replacement for the boat when damaged by accident, inclement weather, and other events.
  • Theft and vandalism. Provides repairs or replacement if your small boat is vandalized or stolen.
  • Medical expenses. If there is injury to yourself or someone else when using your small boat, insurance policy may cover medical treatment and other related expenses.
  • Liability for accidents. If you are involved in, or responsible for, an accident when using your small boat, insurance can cover the cost of legal fees and settlements.
  • Other aspects of boating, including:
    • Search, Rescue, and Evacuation
    • Mooring Fees
    • Legal Protection
    • Replacement Lock and Keys
    • Emergency Travel
    • Trailers and Trolleys
    • Houseboat Contents
    • Race Fee Cover

Is Small Boat Insurance Required By Law?

The legal requirements for small boats are based around where you plan to use the vessel, as opposed to the technical make-up of the boat itself. 

For example if you only ever use your boat on seas or oceans, then boat insurance is not compulsory. However if you are planning to use your small boat on UK waterways, you are usually required to have insurance before you can apply for a waterways license. While the specific rules and regulations vary depending on the Navigation Authority operating in your area, most authorities do require insurance if you plan to use your small boat on, say, a river or any other inland waterway. 

 

How Much Does Small Boat Insurance Cost?

Boat insurance takes so many different risk factors into consideration when calculating a premium, so it is difficult to give a single number when discussing boat insurance. Factors that affect the cost of insurance can include:

  • Type of boat (whether it is a dinghy, houseboat, canal boat, speedboat etc)
  • Market value of the boat 
  • Model of the boat
  • Year that the boat was built
  • Type of engine that the boat has
  • Where it is stored or moored
  • Where it is usually used

Luckily, at Taylor Watkins, we compare rates and coverage options from a whole range of providers, evaluating different insurance companies in order to find the best policy for your specific needs. Taylor Watkins provides impartial quotes quickly, and completely free of charge, so that you can get insured safely and quickly.

 

There are many benefits of boat travel insurance, not least the peace of mind it ensures when taking to the waters. Other features of  boat travel insurance may include:

  • Coverage to 12 months abroad
  • Inland & Offshore sailing up to a certain amount of nautical miles from land
  • Coverage for Cancellation & Disruption
  • Medical & Personal Injury Cover
  • Search & Rescue Cover
  • Baggage & Property Cover

With our dinghy insurance policies, there are many aspects to benefit from including:

  • Fully Comprehensive cover
  • Up to £5 million Third Party Liability cover
  • No craft age restriction
  • Marina Benefits cover as standard
  • Option to include racing cover
  • Security provided by Navigators & General (a trading name of Zurich Insurance Plc)

 

No matter the level, nature or length of cover that you require, the insurers we work with will provide you with the quotes you need. Simply fill in our application form with a few details about yourself and the vessel. We work with some of the UK’s top and best-known boat insurance companies who offer great cover.

We are a free of charge, FCA Regulated broker for boat insurance and our site is 100% secure to protect your data and we will never pass your details to third parties without your consent.

Just fill in our easy to use application form today or get in touch with us at our UK call centre to easily compare insurance quotes.

 

How Much Does Yacht Insurance Cost?

With a wide range of yachts, coming in all shapes and sizes, there is no standard price to insure one. However, as with car insurance, there are a number of factors that the insurer will take into account when evaluating the application to provide you with the most competitive quote. Typically, the cost of an insurance policy will depend on these factors combined.

Age of the vessel and length of ownership – Generally, older vessels will cost less to insure, as their value depreciates with time reducing the value of a potential pay-out by the insurer. However, if you wish to insure a classic or an antique yacht, you may need to apply for special insurance. Also important is the amount of time which you have owned it for. Those who have held ownership for longer with no record of any accidents or claims are deemed to be lower risk and will be offered cheaper quotes.

Value – More expensive boats and yachts will more often be quoted slightly higher insurance premiums as should a claim be made, the amount and the value of the claim are both likely to be more due to the value of the vessel. Insurers will offset this risk with slightly higher premiums.

Type of yacht and performance – There are a multitude of types of yachts ranging from performance to fishing types. In addition, the specifications of different types of vessel vary greatly and the horsepower of different models ranges. More powerful yachts with say twin engines rather than single engines tend to have a greater output of horsepower, going faster. The faster you can go, the greater the risk and this is something that insurers will account for.

‘Cruising area’ and where you will operate – With many different places, waterways and options to enjoy, where you will be using your yacht is another factor that insurers will account for. Some areas pose greater risks than others. For example, if you are planning a voyage through narrow lakes, there will be a greater risk of damage to your vessel and therefore a greater risk of a claim when compared to larger areas of use such as oceans.

 

Additional Factors

There are additional factors and protections that you may be looking for to be fully covered for every eventuality and our insurers offer many of these additions including:

Storm Plans – For those travelling to areas that may be affected by hurricanes, tornadoes and storms. If a storm approaches, this cover will allow your vessel to be towed to a protected facility.

Towing Insurance – Most people who own boats and yachts need to tow their vessels to the harbour before setting off. It is very important that the vessel being towed is covered by a proper towing insurance policy that covers it whilst in-situ; being towed.

Taylor Watkins matches you with sailboat insurance policies that offer extensive coverage and flexibility for both local and offshore sailing. Sailboat insurance provides financial security against different potential risks that sailboat owners may encounter, such as theft, damage to the boat, and liability for accidents. It is specifically tailored to meet the distinctive requirements of sailboat owners, unlike other types of boat insurance. 

Contact us now for a quick and accurate sailboat insurance quote.

 

Is Sailboat Insurance Mandatory?

No, sailboat insurance is not mandatory, but some marinas or yacht clubs may require proof of insurance before allowing you to dock your boat. If you have a loan on your sailboat, the lender might also require you to have insurance.

How Much Cover Can I Get With Sailboat Insurance?

Sailboat insurance policies can include several types of coverage options such as:

    • Hull Coverage: This provides a payout to fix or replace any damage caused by accidents, storms, or other perils.
    • Liability Coverage: This covers the legal costs that may come in the case that you accidentally injure another person, or that your boat damages someone’s property.
    • Personal Property Coverage: This protects personal items that are onboard the boat including clothing, electronics, and other personal belongings.
  • Towage Coverage: If your boat needs to be towed, your insurance will cover the costs if you have towage overage.
  • Medical Payments Coverage: If you injure yourself or another passenger, this will provide a payout.

How Much Does Sailboat Insurance Cost?

Generally, the cost of sailboat insurance ranges from 1% to 2% of the boat’s value per year. However, the cost of sailboat insurance can vary depending on several factors such as:

  • The value of the boat
  • The age of the boat
  • The type of coverage
  • The owner’s sailing experience

The best way to get a quick, accurate estimate is to request a quote based on your unique needs.

How Soon Can I Get Sailboat Insurance?

The timeline for obtaining sailboat insurance will be different depending on your circumstances. If you are thinking about purchasing a new sailboat, for example, you might want to secure insurance coverage before buying the boat. In this case, you can typically apply for insurance coverage as soon as you have the necessary information about the boat, including the make, model, and year.

If you already own a sailboat and need to renew or update your insurance coverage, you will be able to get your sailboat insurance sooner. In most cases, you can obtain sailboat insurance within a few days of applying for coverage, depending on the insurance provider’s process. Some providers may require additional information or documentation before offering cover, meaning the timeframe varies.

Speedboat insurance is a policy that provides financial protection against various risks that speedboat owners may face, including damage to the boat, liability for accidents, and theft. Unlike more generic types of boat insurance, speedboat insurance specifically caters for the unique needs of speedboat owners.

Get a fast, accurate quote for speedboat insurance from Taylor Watkins. Our policies provide comprehensive and flexible cover for both local and offshore sailing. 

 

What Does Speedboat Insurance Typically Cover?

Speedboat insurance policies typically cover common or expensive risks that speedboat owners may face, including:

  • Damage to the boat: This pays for repair or replacement for the boat or its equipment from damage by accidents, storms, or other events. The extent of this cover depends between providers.
  • Liability for accidents: If you are responsible for or involved in an accident on your speedboat that causes injury to another person or damage to their property, you could end up facing huge legal fees. Your speedboat insurance provides coverage for the costs of legal fees and settlements.
  • Theft and vandalism: Speedboats can be common targets for theft or vandalism. Speedboat insurance can provide coverage for the costs of repairs or replacement if your boat is stolen or vandalised.
  • Medical expenses: If someone is injured while riding on your speedboat, your insurance policy may cover the costs of their medical treatment and related expenses.

Is Speedboat Insurance Required by Law?

No, in many states, speedboat insurance is not legally required. However, it can still be a sensible choice to protect your financial well-being in case of an accident or theft.

It can also be worth considering that if you are financing your boat, your lender may require you to have insurance. You may also need this insurance if you want to use your speedboat in state or federal parks.

How Much Does Speedboat Insurance Cost?

On average, most people pay anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per year for speedboat insurance. To get an accurate estimate of the cost of coverage for your specific situation, request a quote for free using our calculator.

The following factors will affect the cost of your speedboat insurance:

  • The horsepower of the motor: More powerful motors may require higher levels of coverage.
  • Your location: Insurance rates can vary by state, as well as by the specific location where you keep and use your boat.
  • Your driving record: If you have a history of accidents or violations, you may be considered a higher risk and be charged higher premiums.