Archive for December, 2010


Dinghies are practically everywhere in the UK. Considering the number of dinghy sailing clubs and dinghy associations that have formed to bring dinghy owners together to enjoy their boats on the open water together it is no wonder that dinghy insurance is a topic for discussion among many owners.
Dinghies are so small that most people don’t consider adding insurance to them. While dinghy insurance is not always a legal requirement it only takes one dingy accident to find out that the thousands of p0ounds it cost to get the dinghy repaired or replaced could have been saved with dinghy insurance. Also, if there is a third party involved in the accident it becomes evident very quickly that dinghy insurance is a good idea and a huge money saver.

Even though it is not always a legal necessity to have dinghy insurance, there are some areas that will not allow the dinghy to tie up if it isn’t insured. If the dinghy owner plans on racing most clubs won’t even allow membership without insurance. The risk of collision is simply too great, without insurance the dinghy owner won’t be allowed to participate.

Dinghy owners can relax if they are concerned that insuring their dinghy is going to cost a fortune. Dinghy insurance is inexpensive with policies that can be purchased for as little as twenty pounds. The excess or deductible is also almost always small and the policy can be customized to meet the needs of the owner.

Purchasing the dinghy insurance policy is very much like purchasing any other boat policy. The dinghy owner must be sure to read the fine print of the policy and make sure they have enough third party liability coverage to protect their assets should they be in an accident. No one wants to have their personal assets levied to pay for a dingy accident when they could simply have dinghy insurance in place to cover accidents.

Dinghy insurance is an important policy to have in place before taking a dinghy out in the water for even a short trip. It only takes one trip to run into an accident and wish insurance had been in place. Because the cost of dinghy insurance is so inexpensive dinghy owners have no excuse for not having insurance to repair or replace their boat. They should also be secure in the knowledge that if they are in an accident they have the insurance coverage needed to take care of the other party without affecting their own financial situation.


Purchasing charter boat insurance is one of the first things a boat for hire needs to do before putting their boat in the water and boarding passengers. A boat for hire needs to be able to protect not only the investment of the boat but also the financial consequences that could occur if there were to be an accident.

Charter boat insurance is designed to protect the boat, the boat owner, the passengers, and other boats and people should an accident occur. Boats for hire have a much larger obligation should there be an accident. Consider a boat filled with passengers that are involved in accident, every passenger on the boat would have to be compensated for medical bills and possibly more. This could run into millions of pounds and possibly put the boat for hire owner in bankruptcy.

In addition to protecting the charter boat owner from liability, charter boat insurance helps to protect the owner from damage to the boat due to fire, theft, accidental damage and vandalism. If the boat is out of commission the boat owner is unable to make a profit and can suffer financial loss. Charter boat insurance can help ease this pain by making it possible to get the boat back on the open water faster.

When purchasing charter boat insurance the owner should make sure to have the outboard motor covered in the event the motor is damaged and the boat cannot be operated. The boat’s accidental damage policy may or may not cover damage done to the boat underwater but this should be added so that the hull and engine are protected from stumps or other underwater obstructions that cannot be seen but can cause great damage.

Boat owners who are purchasing insurance often forget to ask what is not included, they are simply too concerned with what is covered. The owner should ask this question and make sure to be extra careful to avoid anything that would not be covered. For example, mistakes made by the owner and design errors in the construction of the boat are not normally covered. Some companies will add a clause for design and manufacturing flaws but this must be asked for in advance and will increase the policy cost.

At the end of the day, boat for hire insurance is a policy that must be in place before the first passengers are taken out on the water. Contact a charter boat insurance specialist and learn all the ins and outs of the policy before starting business.


Catamaran insurance is different than insuring other boats because they are a unique kind of boat in that they have two hulls. Not all boat insurance companies will insure these boats because they are typically in a different class or category than boats with single hulls. There are only certain companies that make catamarans and there are only some insurance companies who provide insurance for them.

Catamarans are a good value for the money and most last for many years. Although it is true that they are in a different class of boats, the insurance needs for most people are quite similar. All recreational water vehicles should be insured to protect the owner from liability in the event of an accident and to make it possible to repair or replace the boat in the event of an accident or damage to the boat.

Catamaran owners should contact several catamaran insurance agencies and compare their costs before signing up for an insurance policy through any company. The policies should be compared with the exact same coverage’s to insure that the comparison is level.
There are key coverages that all catamaran owners should make sure are in place before they take their catamaran on holiday. The main one being liability coverage. Third party liability coverage will protect the boat owner if it should be involved in an accident where other people are hurt or their property is damaged. This coverage is considered mandatory in some areas.

The insurance company should be able to point out what coverages are necessary and how much coverage is ample. No one wants to have coverage only to find out that they don’t have enough and will still have to pay out thousands of pounds from their own pocket.

Protection from accidental damage, fire or theft is another important coverage that should not be ignored. If the catamaran is damaged while in the water or by theft, fire or vandalism this coverage will help get the catamaran repaired or replaced. This type of coverage does not protect against wear and tear and does not pay out more than the catamaran is worth.

Sailing the waters in a catamaran is a fun and relaxing way to spend holiday. Basking under the warmth of the sun is so much more pleasant knowing that the Catamaran is protected from accidents and damage. A good insurance company can help make this feeling true every time the boat goes out.


Canoe owners who like to take their canoe out on the calm waters or on whitewater need to consider having canoe insurance to protect their gear. The insurer should be an approved canoe insurer who has been approved by the British Canoe Union which is the governing body for canoeing in the UK.
Canoe insurance should be comprehensive and cover the canoe, the paddles and third party liability. The boat should also be covered by the insurance while it is being moved from one location to another. When the policy is being purchased it is important to know everything that is covered along with everything that is not covered.

Most insurers cover the boat while it is being transported and also if it is being used to race. This is unlike other insurances that don’t cover canoes if they are being used to race. Canoe insurance should also cover the vehicle if it is being taken abroad. Most policies cover up to 30 days of abroad travel.
Simply knowing what is covered is not enough. When purchasing canoe insurance the policy holder should also know what is not covered by the policy. Most policies do not cover wear and tear that is normal and expected on the canoe. Canoe insurance does not typically cover superficial issues that occur during transit such as denting or scratching, these mars do not affect the performance of the canoe.

Corrosion due to the weather and water use is not typically covered. Loss of value due to the canoe’s age and use as well as loss of value due to the canoe having been damaged and then repaired is also not covered by canoe insurance. Speak to a canoe insurance specialist to determine if there are policies to cover these additional items.

Third party liability is part of the typical canoe insurance package and covers the policy holder if death or injury occurs to any person while using the canoe. Third party liability does not cover an employee who uses the canoe. Third party liability covers damage caused by the canoe to other people’s property, and also any damage caused by the boat should it be taken without permission.

Canoe owners should understand that their insurance policy is designed for them specifically. An insurance broker or agent can help modify the policy to suit their individual needs and add or remove facets of the policy as needed. The key is making sure the canoe has enough coverage to replace the boat and cover any third party liability claims. Having canoe insurance helps create a peace of mind while enjoying the open waters.

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