If you’re dreaming of heading out onto the water in the next few months, you may be asking yourself: do I really need insurance? In our view, the answer is a resounding ‘yes’! Marine Insurance offers valuable protection in many scenarios – from loss and damage to potential third-party claims. If you aren’t insured, you could find yourself embroiled in a costly – and distressing – situation, particularly if your vessel is a prized possession or has sentimental value. At Cherry Godfrey, we think it’s more than worthwhile to spend a little now to protect your investment.
In this helpful introduction, we’ll run through some of the things that boat insurance covers. This will help you make an informed decision, ensuring that you know just where your money will be going, and what to look out for.
Do I Really Need Marine Insurance?
As mentioned above, a robust policy could save you huge sums of money in the event of a claim; however, there other situations in which insurance is a real must. These differ depending on where you’re sailing, but can include:
• Mooring. Some marinas will not allow you to moor without insurance.
• Using certain inland waterways.
• Crossing international borders.
• Racing a vessel.
• Financing your vessel. Much like buying a house, should you purchase your boat on finance and have a ‘marine mortgage’, it’ll be a requirement that you take out insurance.
Even if the above scenarios do not apply, if you’re intending to use your boat for leisure, work, or something else entirely, we’d still highly recommend taking out the appropriate marine insurance.
How to Choose Marine Insurance
Unsurprisingly, for many customers the most important thing is price: and here at Cherry Godfrey we’re pleased to confirm that our marine insurance policies are both comprehensive and affordable. We can tailor-make a policy for you, depending on your requirements – where you’re sailing, for example (a consideration that is often overlooked) – and our policies always include third-party liability.
We’re experts in providing marine insurance for the following vessels:
• Pleasure craft
• Private craft
• Motor cruisers
• Yachts
• Ribs and fishing boats
• And more!
Our experienced brokers work with a choice of leading boat insurers, ensuring the best deal – and always providing comprehensive cover at competitive prices. Policies can include – but are not limited to – the following:
• Loss or damage to your vessel
• Third party liability
• Emergency medical expenses
• Marine legal expenses
• Personal accident
In addition, the following can be added to your policy:
• Water skiing and towing of toys liability cover
• Cover for damage to underwater machinery
• Racing risks cover
• Personal accident cover
• Cover for single-handed sailing
• Transit insurance available
• No claims discount feature
• Commercial Craft insurance
• Extended cruising range to suit your needs. This can include Channel Island Waters and adjacent French Coasts; inland and coastal waters of the UK; or further afield, depending on the type of vessel you wish to insure.
If you do not wish to insure your own vessel, we also offer third party cover: this will provide cover if you damage another person’s vessel (personal accident cover is included within this).
Do you need to take out new marine insurance – or perhaps you’re in need of a refresh? Don’t hesitate to connect with Cherry Godfrey today. Simply submit a callback request or contact us directly to discuss your needs: our expert team are standing by to help you find the right cover for the right price – wherever you’re hoping to sail away to!
