Canoe and Kayak Insurance

If you need financial protection against the number of risks that canoe and kayak owners may face, including damage to the boat, accident liability, and theft, then it is vital that you find the right insurance policy to suit your specific needs. Luckily, Taylor Watkins can provide you with a fast and accurate quote so that you can take to the water with full peace of mind. Taylor Watkins provides you with a fast, reliable, and flexible quote so that you can get the coverage that you need to fully enjoy your time on the water.

While canoes and kayaks may not cost as much to replace as larger vessels, such as sailing boats or catamarans, insurance is actually required in order for you to explore the inland waterways of the UK. In order to apply for a waterways license, necessary for canoeing on rivers, canals, and lakes, you must have a form of canoe insurance. 

What Does Canoe Insurance Cover?

What is exactly covered in your canoe insurance policy will vary from provider to provider, and will depend on how you want to use your canoe,  but policies usually cover damage, theft, and accident liability. Some canoe insurance policies will also include coverage for personal injury, equipment, and emergency assistance. Types of coverage include:

• Vandalism and Theft. Canoes are unfortunately common targets for theft or vandalism. Canoe insurance provides coverage for replacement if your canoe or kayak is stolen or vandalized

• Damage to the Canoe. Depending on how they are used, canoes can be particularly liable to damage from weather or volatile waterways. Insurance can cover the canoe in case of events like this

• Liability for accidents. If you are responsible for, or involved in, an accident while using your canoe or kayak that causes injury to yourself, another person, or property, you may end up facing considerable legal fees. Canoe and kayak insurance can help cover the cost of legal fees and settlements. 
• Medical expenses: If you , or someone else, is injured while using your canoe or kayak, an insurance policy may help cover costs of medical treatment and related expenses
• Fire and storm damage coverage: This protects you in case your canoe is damaged by fire, lightning, or severe weather. It will allow you to repair or in some cases replace your canoe or kayak. 

• Equipment loss or damage. Canoeing and kayaking involves investment in supplementary equipment such as lifejackets, oars, etc. Canoe insurance can help cover loss or damage of canoeing equipment.

Is Canoe or Kayak  Insurance Required by Law?

The rules and regulations around canoe insurance differ depending on where you are planning to use your canoe. If you have a sea kayak, and are planning to use this on seas or oceans, insurance is not mandatory. Despite this, insurance is recommended to protect your kayak against theft or damage. 

If you are planning to use your canoe or kayak in inland waterways within the UK (such as rivers, canals, etc.), then insurance is indeed required. To use inland waterways, you need a waterways license. This license can only be obtained by having a form of insurance on your canoe.  

In either scenario, it is recommended that you insure your canoe. Ensuring that you have the right covers means that if there is an unfortunate scenario where something goes wrong, or something untoward takes place, you and everyone on board are fully covered by a trusted insurance policy. Luckily at Taylor Watkins, we work with a whole range of providers to find you the insurance policy that you need, at the right price.