A yacht insurance quote is the first step towards getting the peace of mind that your boat and its associated equipment are financially protected. After all, would you be able to afford to replace your boat if it were stolen or damaged? Even if you could afford it, would you want to pay out of your own pocket?
The benefits of yacht insurance include cover from theft, storm damage and fire. If you purchased the yacht with the assistance of a loan, insurance is well worth a look because the obligation to make repayments will continue to exist, whether or not the boat itself has been destroyed in an accident or fire.
When you search the internet or phone around for a yacht insurance quote, there are some steps you can take to reduce your annual premium.
• Employ safety features – your boat is less likely to be stolen if it is kept onshore in a locked building. Accordingly, in the same way that insurers offer a lower priced premium for a car that is kept in a garage, boat insurers would see that as a lower risk than a boat kept on a slipway. The ideal scenario is a boat kept on a maintained marina with security guards and cameras.
Likewise, if your boat has a galley with a gas cooker, fire damage is a risk. Taking steps to prevent fire (including having fire extinguishers and retardant materials) means that the insurer will know that you are serious about reducing the risk.
• Voluntary excess or higher excess – your insurer will not pay out for claims under the excess they have quoted. Accordingly, the higher the excess, the fewer claims they are likely to be presented with, as items of minor damage will be dealt with by the boat owners themselves.
• No claims bonus – make the most of your record as a good insurance customer and seek a discount as a reward.
To get the most out of your yacht insurance quote, ask plenty of questions to make certain that the elements of cover you expect are included. For instance, make sure that your outboard motor is included, if you have one. Likewise, check that the insurer has the correct details about the make, model, age and condition of your boat to ensure that the cover is appropriate.