uk yacht insurance

Yacht Insurance

Bespoke yacht insurance.

Our Yacht Insurance Policies cover sailing vessels both large and small cruising UK Waters, Europe and Worldwide. Whether you're seeking to renew your boat insurance or inquiring about coverage for a new vessel, we've got you covered.

Get the right level of cover with our yacht & sailing boat insurance so you can enjoy cruising on your yacht or sailing boat with confidence.

Why Choose Topsail Insurance?

The team at Topsail Insurance are highly passionate and knowledgeable in Boat Insurance and Travel Insurance, with over 100 years of combined experience, they will ensure you get the policy best suited to you. We are marine insurance experts offering a personal service and practical approach to find the best policy suitable to your needs.

Feel free to reach out to our dedicated team of real people for tailored advice on our policies. Whether you're unsure about the appropriate level of insurance for your needs or seeking guidance on the best coverage for your boat, we're here to assist you. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us today.

Our policies offer comprehensive and flexible cover for both local and offshore sailing.

We offer both agreed value and market value insurance policies to suit your individual needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What typically does our yacht insurance policy cover.

Your insurance policy will include cover for:

• Accidental damage

Is Third Party damage covered?

Yes, our comprehensive policies include up to £5 million third party liability cover as standard. In most cases, we can also arrange Third Party Only policies too.

What additional benefits are included in my Yacht Insurance cover?

Many of our polices include:

• Personal Accident
• Medical Expenses
• Up to 25 % NCB
• Marina benefits
• Access to our helpline services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• 24 hour claims helpline

We can often offer Excess Waiver, Protected No Claims Bonus and Legal Expenses cover.

What cruising areas to we cover?

We cover UK, Europe and Worldwide/Bluewater cruising.

Do we offer any discounts?

We offer discounts for a number of Owners’ Associations, and Yacht Clubs, such as our partners, The Cruising Association and Ocean Cruising Club .

If cruising within the UK or Europe, you could be offered an instant quote online which you can purchase immediately.

Click here to access our online Quote and Buy .

Our team will be happy to compare your boat insurance renewal quote or provide you with a quotation for your new boat insurance. Enjoy making memories, we’ll handle the rest.

For more information about the features of our Topsail Insurance, please refer to the relevant policy document and terms and conditions.

With over 1000 reviews on Google from satisfied clients, Topsail Insurance stands as a trusted authority in the field. Rest assured, you're in capable hands with our team of experts.

Enjoy making memories, we’ll handle the rest.

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• Yacht & Motorboat Insurance

Competitive all-risks marine insurance for yachts & motorboats.

Start your journey with us today., start your journey today., insurance for a wide range of boats, what is boat insurance.

Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or new to the wonderful world of boating, there are a number of things to consider when taking out a boat insurance policy for your pride and joy. While it’s not usually a legal requirement on most waters, more-often-than-not purchasing a boat, yacht or dingy is a sizeable investment, so it makes financial sense to ensure it is protected. Boat insurance and yacht insurance will cover you for risks both on the water and while it’s in transit; after all if anything does happen, it can result in a large and costly repair bill!

What does the Gallagher boat insurance and yacht insurance cover?

At Gallagher, our experts can arrange yacht insurance, dinghy insurance and small boat insurance, as well as cover for a wide range of pleasure boats including superyachts, motorboats, motor cruisers, speedboats, ribs, narrowboats and traditional sailboats.

You’re covered for risks both on the water or in transit, including protection and indemnity (P&I) insurance; and you're covered in the UK, in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

Our policies can include cover for tenders, outboard motors and personal effects. Your boat insurance can also be tailored to suit your vessel usage, cruising needs and required level of cover, as well as passengers and third-party cover.

The specialist team here at Gallagher regularly handle boat insurance for high-value crafts (such as superyachts and mega yachts) and complex or unusual risks; no matter how big or small your pride and joy may be, get in touch with us today to see how we can help protect your assets.

We've negotiated competitive rates with a panel of some of the leading marine insurance companies, which includes Beazley, Navigators and General, Noble, Topsail, Hiscox, Shipowners and MS Amlin. We can usually arrange same-day quotes and insurance cover, and you could even pay your premium in monthly instalments should you wish.

What addons are there for my boat insurance?

On request, we can add insurance cover for racing, transit for craft over 30’, skipper charter and bareboat charter, water-skiing, towed water toys, and underwater gear. We also arrange standalone skipper-only insurance, personal accident insurance, crew personal accident insurance, and legal cover. Although we would recommend you take out fully comprehensive boat insurance, third party-only insurance is available on request.

Yacht and Motorboat Insurance

• Competitive yacht insurance, dinghy insurance & small boat insurance
• Special, competitive rates negotiated with a panel of leading marine insurers
• All small boat insurance is on an all-risks basis
• Usually same-day turnaround on quotes and cover

What if I need to make a claim on my boat insurance policy?

Our experts understand that should you find yourself needing to make a claim on your boat or yacht insurance policy, this can be a difficult and expensive time. To ensure you have the best and smoothest experience possible you’ll have your own named account executive, experienced in insurance for yachts, dinghies, boats and pleasure craft, to handle everything from your quote to renewals and any claims.

Jonathan Purvis

Account handler, related products, more products.

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Related News & Insights

Stay connected with the company that’s connecting the dots with what’s happening in the industry and around the world.

Register to watch: Will your business thrive or survive in tomorrow’s world? - 05.07.2023

Client interview: sunseeker puts people at the heart of its business, norway specialist businesses parisco and bergvall marine to rebrand as gallagher.

Start your journey with Gallagher. Connect with an expert.

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Start a New Boat Insurance Quote

With over 195 years of experience, GJW Direct provides industry leading boat and craft insurance that gives you peace of mind. Get your UK boat insurance quote online today or call us on 0151 473 8000

Yacht & Sailing Boat

Find out more, motor cruiser, narrowboat & barge, personal watercraft & jet ski, canoe, efoil, rowing boat, sup & windsurfer, marine insurance for leisure boats, how our boat insurance cover works.

GJW Direct can provide you with the perfect cover for your vessel, with instant online quotes available. Each of our policies is different, but as standard we provide:

• 24 hour staffed emergency claims helpline
• Protected no claims bonus
• Exclusive Discounts within your MyBoat portal

Why Choose GJW Direct

GJW Direct are the UK’s leading direct boat insurance company. We’ve been providing Boat Insurance and Marine Insurance for over 195 years. Our range of comprehensive policy options covers engine, trailer and third-party damage – with cover available in UK and European waters.

Towergate together with our parent company The Ardonagh Group are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty the Queen. She is remembered by our colleagues and worldwide as a beacon of duty, wisdom and service.

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Yacht and Catamaran Insurance

Sail further with our yacht and catamaran insurance.

• Up to £5 million in third-party liability and racing liability
• 24-hour single-handed use cover as standard
• Get a £40 Amazon voucher when you buy a new policy over £250*

Call us on 0344 892 1987 or get a quote online

*Terms & Conditions - £40 Amazon Voucher offer

A £40 Amazon voucher is available to new customers who purchase a boat insurance policy online where no code is needed or over the phone and quote the code AMAZON40. This offer is subject to an annual price of £250 (including insurance premium tax at 12% and our customer service charge) or above and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers or discounts. In addition, it is not available on the Towergate Active product for small craft where the annual price paid is under £250. Cover is subject to your individual circumstances and our eligibility criteria. The voucher will be issued to you by email after 30 days on cover. If you cancel before you have been on cover for 30 days, you will not be eligible for the offer. Offer expires on 31/12/2024 but can be withdrawn or amended at any time if it is necessary to do so. Policies purchased after this date will not be eligible for the offer.  There is no cash alternative available, and we reserve the right to substitute a reasonably equivalent alternative, of equal value, should circumstances make this necessary.

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Overall service rating 4.6 / 5

Based on 4363 customer reviews

Why choose yacht and catamaran insurance with Towergate?

Single-handed use of yachts.

Covers 24-hour single-handed use of yachts and catamarans as standard.

£5m yacht liability cover

Be ‘marina ready’ with up to £5 million in third-party liability cover.

Racing liability for yachts and catamarans

Racing cover as standard, with damage to masts and sails as an optional extension.

Pay by Direct Debit

Choose to spread your payment into 10 monthly Direct Debit  instalments.

About yacht and catamaran insurance

What does it cover, be 'marina-ready'.

Whatever your yachting style is, you can be ‘marina and race-ready’ with up to £5 million in liability cover. Exclusions include, employees and marine trade workers, fare paying passengers, water skiers, parascenders and divers.

24-hour single-handed use

Our yacht and catamaran insurance policies cover single-handed use. This is the case for up to 24 continuous hours for avid UK sailors. Check our policy wording for more details.

Specialist claims handler

For more complex claims, a specialist handler will be assigned to manage your yacht or catamaran claim. They will carefully lead you through the whole process.

Optional personal accident cover

Our personal accident cover can be added as an optional extra. It may help to pay for medical expenses should you be involved in something a bit more serious. Please be aware that if you’re over the age of 76, you will not be eligible for personal accident cover.

How do claims work?

When you need to make a claim, we'll guide you through the process and get your claim settled as quickly as possible.

• Find your insurance documents and make sure you have all your information at hand, including your policy number.
• Call the claims team for current claims on 0330 018 2292. From 1 Nov, new claims can be reported by calling 01273 863 450 , and explaining exactly what happened
• Provide photos if requested to help us understand what happened as quickly as we can.

Ready to get covered?

• Fill in our online quote form or call us
• Purchase your policy
• Relax - You're covered!

Yacht and catamaran insurance FAQs

What is yacht insurance.

Essentially, yacht insurance aims to protect your craft, other craft on the water and of course, you and your passengers. The idea of insurance is to put you back in the financial position you were in before you experienced a loss of some sort.

This financial loss could come about in the form of damage to your boat, a third party claiming against you for damage to their craft or in the worst case, loss caused by injury to you or one of your passengers.

Towergate yacht insurance covers all the areas mentioned above. Though it isn’t necessarily a legal requirement, many marinas require a minimum of third party cover if you’d like to use their facilities. In any case, it is strongly advised you have insurance in place due to the high value of the yachts themselves and the potential for injury.

How can I get the best value from my yacht insurance?

Moor in a marina - Our policy offers extra benefits for mooring in a marina as mooring at a berth in a marina is typically safer and more secure than a swinging mooring.

Use Smart Water - Mark your equipment with a Smart Water kit purchased using your unique Towergate code and you can receive a further 10% discount.

Get a survey of your craft completed if it’s over 25 years old

Let us know if you have RYA qualifications - We like to reward those who try to develop their own sailing competence as this only makes them safer on the water. Let us know if you have a RYA qualifications and we could award you another 10% discount.

Let us know if you’re planning on racing

Do you offer laid up cover for yachts?

Not all of us are lucky enough to use our yachts all year round. There are likely to be times when the weather is too rough or your yacht is in need of essential maintenance. During these times, you may wish to take your boat out of the water and store it in a dry dock or stack storage.

It's also a strong possibility that your boat will need to be out of the water if you're selling it on. It's a good idea to take it out of the water to allow potential buyers to fully inspect the hull, keel and other components which sit below the waterline.

As well as covering your yacht when it's in the water, Towergate can also apply laid up cover for when it is out of the water and not in use for an extended period. This cover will insure your yacht against theft, damage, vandalism and third party cover whilst it is off the water. It won't cost you any more money, you just need to let us know that you're taking your boat off the water and how long for.

Does this cover come with any exclusions?

It’s very important to read your policy documents in detail, so you understand what’s covered and what could void your cover. Listed below are a few key exclusions you should be aware of. Check your policy document for a full list of exclusions.

• Mechanical failure is not covered if your craft is over three years old.
• Personal accident cover won’t cover individuals over the age of 76 - If you are over the age of 76 the personal accident aspect of our cover will not apply. All cover relating to the craft however, will still apply.
• Wear and tear and mechanical failure are not covered - If your craft is under three years old, we can provide mechanical failure cover. Wear and tear however, is not covered.
• Replacements beyond the sums insured on your policy - Our policy works on a market value basis. Therefore, it’s important to know the true replacement value of your yacht. You will be unable to claim for a replacement yacht above the value you give us. If you’re unsure of the value of your yacht, a marine surveyor will be able to make an assessment and give you an accurate value.

What are the benefits of yacht insurance?

Our yacht insurance comes with a few different options allowing you to get the cover that’s right for your value of craft, level of sailing experience and mooring arrangements. Listed below are just a selection of our best features and how they can benefit yacht owners just like you.

• £3,000,000 third party liability included as standard - The waterways, rivers and seas can be tricky places to travel around on and sometimes mishaps occur. Add to that the fact that yachts and other craft tend to carry a hefty price tag and you’ve got a recipe for some expensive accidents. Our yacht insurance policy includes £3,000,000 third party cover so if you accidently cause damage to someone else’s property whilst on the water your insurance will cover the cost of that damage. • Personal accident cover (optional) - If you enjoy challenging yourself with rough seas and high speeds, we advise you add personal accident cover to your policy. Our personal accident feature will cover medical expenses and emergency treatment. • Protected no claims bonus (platinum level cover) - Take out our highest level of cover to have your no claims bonus protected year on year even if you have to claim (No more than two claims per year). • Marina benefits (platinum level cover only) - If you permanently moor your boat on a marina berth or keep it ashore at the same location, we won’t charge your excess on any claim made while it’s moored or stored. This also won’t affect your no-claims bonus. • Failure of machinery (on yachts less than three years old) - You’d hope that newer yachts wouldn’t have too much trouble with the machinery on-board. Never-the-less, we include cover for this should you be unlucky. • Legal expenses cover - Should a third party bring charges against you for damage caused to their craft or personal injury caused by you, our legal expenses cover can help with your legal fees up to £100,000. • 24 hour legal and claims advice line - In addition to covering legal fees, we also offer legal advice to guide you through what to do if you get involved in a legal dispute. • Travel concierge service - Part of the joy of owning a yacht is the ability to travel to new places. The travel concierge service can arrange; local hotels, restaurants, theatre tickets and more.

I have some expensive equipment on-board. Will this be covered on and off the water by my yacht insurance policy?

Our yacht insurance covers a number of items, including things you’d carry on your person such as digital compasses or pocketknives. These smaller items do have a single article limit of £300. However, you can also cover more expensive items such as on-board GPS equipment and outboard motors. All you need to do is let us know what you’d like covered so we can include it in your sums insured. Please let us know if you would like to cover any items over the £300 single article limit.

Are there any restrictions on my cruising range?

Unfortunately, we can’t cover you in the Caribbean or the Baltic seas, though we can sometimes refer this to our underwriters. As a rule, we do not cover any cruising more than 35 degrees east in the Mediterranean. Again though, you’ll need to let us know if you want to change your cruising range from what you originally agreed when you set up your policy. See the question below for more detail.

If I need to make changes to my yacht policy, can I do this halfway through the year?

Things never stand still in the world of boating. So, if you’ve installed the latest gadget and you need your sums insured amended or you’ve changed your mooring arrangements or cruising range, give us a call and we’ll update your policy. There is an administration fee charged to change the details on your policy plus any premium increase related to the additional cover you require.

Do I need to get my yacht surveyed?

If your yacht is over 35 years old, we will require proof that you’ve had it surveyed. Furthermore, we will require your craft to have a survey every 10 years thereafter. For yachts under 35 years, no survey is required for you to take out insurance.

Can I get third-party liability cover for older yacht and catamarans?

Yes, we also provide liability for those actively using older yachts or launching onto the water. This third-party cover product includes the removal and disposal of wrecked craft, as well as the re-floating and removal of damaged craft.

How do I qualify for discounts on my yacht insurance premium?

In some ways, yacht insurance works like car insurance. If you’re an experienced sailor, your premium might work out cheaper. Contact us to see if any discounts apply.

Can I pay in instalments?

If you would prefer to spread the cost of your yacht and catamaran insurance policy, you have the option of setting up a Direct Debit to pay your premium in monthly instalments through our preferred provider, Premium Credit Limited (PCL).

To find out more about PCL and direct debit payments, select  Direct Debit . To understand more about how PCL work together with Towergate, please read our  Regulatory Information .

Where can I find full details of my policy?

We have provided a summary of the key features of the policy, above. For details of the terms and conditions applicable, please refer to the insurance product information document and policy wording, which are available during the quotation process.

Why choose Towergate?

We are a specialist insurer who keep our finger on the pulse of the boating world. Our boat insurance teams are trained to find the right cover for you and we feel our combination of flexible insurance and a helpful customer service, will ensure you're covered correctly and be a huge comfort every time you take to the water.

Should you need to claim, we will guide you through each step of your claim and advise you on how to gain a swift resolution. It's our aim to take the stress out of what's often an already stressful situation. Simply give us a call and we’ll take it from there.

See our range of cover

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B o at insurance specialists

Noble Marine has been providing a personal and professional service to marine insurance customers for over 30 years.

Policies and claims are dealt with in-house by our knowledgeable staff giving exceptional levels of service. Get a quote online for your boat insurance today.

get a quote

From surfb o ards to racing yachts

Quote and buy online or call us on 01636 707606, quote and buy online or call us on 01636 707606.

Noble Marine Insurance are a specialist boat insurance provider with over 30 years experience in insuring everything from surfboards to £1m racing yachts.

Our marine team has decades of experience that has allowed us to develop our own policy wordings tailored to the specific needs of the varied types of craft and users. This enables us to cater for everything from standard craft to the more unusual and specialist craft.

All our claims are handled by our own, in house, team. This means that we can settle claims quickly and we can also help you find a suitable repairer if you need us to.

Whether you own a single boat or multiple craft of different types, we can cover them all on a single policy to keep all your marine insurance in one place, keeping it simple and saving you money with our 12.5% mulit-boat discount (up to a maximum of £150 per policy).

Noble Marine Insurance has been an enthusiastic supporter of sailing at all levels since we were founded as a dinghy insurance broker, we are still highly committed to the sailing community and we sponsor over 25 class associations as well as numerous sailing events throughout the year.

We offer a great on-line service but if you would prefer to arrange your policy over the phone we are always delighted to speak to our customers.

Boat Insurance FAQs

What is boat insurance?

Most importantly, boat insurance will provide you with third party liability cover if you were to cause damage to other people’s property or injury to another person.

In addition Comprehensive boat insurance can provide you with financial protection if your boat is involved in an accident, stolen or damaged by fire or storm.

Do I need boat insurance?

Boat insurance is not actually a legal requirement in the UK however most marinas, harbours and in recognised mooring areas require evidence of third party boat insurance. Most lakes and reservoirs require the same, and you will need to produce proof of third party boat insurance to obtain an inland waterways licence. Also most organised events such as racing will require evidence of liability cover.

In addition to third party liability cover most people will want to insure their boat for damage including from fire or theft to protect their investment and ensure that they are able to stay on the water as much as possible. Noble Marine Insurance can insure boats up to a value of £750,000.

What does your boat insurance cover?

It is important to make sure that your boat insurance is adequate for your needs, and not to forget additional equipment such as trailers, trolleys and safety equipment that can be easily overlooked and are often costly to replace. Most accessories and equipment that is specific to your boating activities can be covered by boat insurance if you opt to include them. Noble Marine’s boat insurance will usually cover:

• Accidental Damage
• Fire or Explosion
• Theft or Attempted Theft
• Malicious Damage / Vandalism
• Storm Damage
• Your liability for damage or injury to other parties

Boat insurance policies generally do not cover:

• Wear, tear, depreciation, gradual deterioration e.g. corrosion or electrolysis
• Mechanical breakdown
• Damaged deliberately caused by you
• Faulty workmanship

For full details of Noble Marine’s Boat Insurance cover and exclusions please click here for a copy of our policy wording and Insurance Product Information Documents.

Are there any conditions of my boat insurance?

It is also a condition of many boat insurance policies that your boat is maintained correctly and in a seaworthy condition. Whilst it is important to ensure your boat insurance policy will be valid in the event of a claim, this is also good practice to ensure that you and your passengers and/or crew are safe when on the water. It is important to ensure that all systems of a boat are checked and, as necessary, maintained in accordance with manufacturers guidelines or generally acknowledged best practice. If you are unsure it is worth getting professional advice from a yard or surveyor.

How much will my boat insurance cost?

This depends on the type of boat, who’s using it, where it is being used and what it's being used for. Prices start from around £40 per year.

What types of boats do you offer boat insurance for?

Noble Marine can provide boat insurance for most types of pleasure craft including:

• Canal boat Insurance
• Canoes Insurance
• Dinghy Insurance
• Jet Ski Insurance
• Sport Boat Insurance
• Motor Cruiser Insurance
• Motorboat Insurance
• Narrowboat Insurance
• Paddleboard Insurance
• RIB Insurance
• Rowing Boat Insurance
• Sailboard Insurance
• Speedboat Insurance
• Surfboard Insurance
• Yacht Insurance

What if I want to insure more than one boat?

Most boat insurance policies only allow one boat per policy, however Noble Marine’s policy allows you to insure all your boats from canoes and paddle boards to dinghies and yachts under the same policy, you will also benefit from a 12.5% Multi-boat discount (up to £150 per policy).

Does your boat insurance cover me abroad?

If your boating adventures take you to more distant shores or you are involved in racing abroad, then Noble Marine Insurance can provide a solution to meet these needs in most circumstances. We can also extend the policy to include boats that are Skippered Charter.

Just call us to discuss your requirements and we will help you through the process or enter your details online by clicking ' Get A Quote ' and we will get back to you.

Please note that policy cover is subject to the terms and conditions of our Marine Insurance Policy .

Do you offer boat insurance for racing?

Racing cover is included as standard on all of our dinghy, sports boat, rowing boat, canoe, kayak, surfboard, sailboard and paddleboard policies.

We also offer racing cover for sailing yachts, this may be at an additional charge depending on the type of racing you’re doing.

For full details of Noble Marine’s Boat Insurance cover and exclusions please check our policy wording and Insurance Product Information Documents .

Can I transfer my boat insurance to a different boat?

If you sell your boat and replace it with a new or different boat then you can keep the same policy and simply swap them over.

Your claims are handled by our own in house experts.

Noble marine is a trading name of noble insurance services ltd who are authorised and regulated by the financial conduct authority. firm reference number 305884..

Boat Insurance in the UK & Europe

If you’re looking for yacht or boat insurance in the UK or Europe, then speak to the Admiral Marine team today. 

Tailored to your boating needs

For over 25 years Admiral have been providing yacht insurance for sailors, wherever in the world their yacht may be. We pride ourselves on our personal touch and practical approach to making sure that your yacht insurance cover meets with your needs at all times. 

Reasons to Insure with Admiral Marine

• Quality boat insurance that can be tailored to your needs.
• In-house claims service with a global network of surveyors and repair specialists.
• Good customer service from your dedicated account manager at Admiral Marine
• 94% of our yacht insurance clients  renew with us every year – that’s how much they trust us!

Why not save time and money with your own individually tailored fleet insurance policy? 

Give us a call on  +44 (0)1722 416 106   or email [email protected] .

Frequently Asked Questions

Our standard policy allows you to take part in any race or regatta, but does not cover for the rig unless it is damaged by collision, stranding, sinking or fire. The hull is covered, but with double excess during racing.

Contact us as soon as possible to inform us of any changes. We’re happy to accommodate changes at any time during your year, whether that be changing contact details or an aspect of your policy. Adjustments may result in an additional premium, but we never charge administrative fees for mid-term changes.

On occasion. For instance, for participants of a long distance rally such as World ARC, we prefer a 1st January renewal date allowing for boats to be in St Lucia at the start of the policy and in South Africa when the policy is due for renewal.

We have chosen to remain a specialist insurer and can’t quote for commercial vessels or boats valued over £1million. However we can refer you directly to Hayes Parsons Insurance Brokers, our award-winning parent company, who may be able to help.

Yes. We’re happy to accommodate changes to cruising area or any other aspect of your policy at any time during the year. Adjustments may result in an additional premium, but we never charge administrative fees for mid-term changes.

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Admiral Marine is a trading name of Admiral Marine Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 306002) for general insurance business. Registered in England and Wales Company No. 02666794 at Beacon Tower, Colston Street, Bristol BS1 4XE. 

If you wish to register a complaint, please contact the Compliance and Training Manager on  [email protected] .  If you are unsatisfied with how your complaint has been dealt with, you may be able to refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).  The FOS website is  www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk

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+44 (0)1722 416106 | [email protected] | Blakey Road, Salisbury, SP1 2LP, United Kingdom

Part of the Hayes Parsons Group

Trust your vessel with Velos

Are you looking for a competitive all-risk insurance policy that is right for you and your boat? Velos offers competitive premium and wide cover that will put your mind at ease and cover you for all eventualities.

The right policy for you and your boat

Whether you’re looking for pleasure boat insurance or commercial marine

insurance for your vessel, you’ve come to the right place.

Get a FREE quote online or call us on 020 7929 4058

Craft Insurance

Velos offers insurance for yachts and sailboats of all sizes as well as for motorboats, cruisers and narrowboats.

Yacht Insurance

We can cover you for all eventualities so you can forget the small print and focus on the trip of a lifetime.

Independent specialist marine insurance broker operating exclusive specialist facilities for small commercial crafts.

Trade Insurance

Specialist marine trade insurance broker operating exclusive specialist facilities for marine trade crafts.

Why Choose Velos

Velos Insurance Services is one of the leading marine insurance providers in the UK.

We have been providing commercial and private marine insurance to yacht, pleasure craft and boat owners since 1975, and our team of expert marine insurance specialists has over 100 years of accumulated experience. Applying this experience we are able to offer competitive rates to our customers, as well as the best possible cover for all of their marine insurance needs.

• Tailor-made, bespoke insurance policies
• Competitive premium & wide cover
• Market-leading reputation for customer care
• Professional underwriting team
• Efficient and fast claims handling
• 100+ years of experience in the marine insurance industry

What our customers have to say

Don’t just take our word for it, read what our customers think about us

and our services

Patient and Helpful

” The team was super helpful and patient with me, even though I had a million questions. They really took the time to understand my needs and tailor the coverage accordingly. “

Exceptional boat insurance

” Velos Insurance is an exceptional boat insurance service that provides comprehensive coverage for boat owners. “

Efficient Service

” Thank you for your fast & efficient service over the years. “

Super Helpful

” I recently went with Velos, speak to Kel, he’s super helpful “

Competitive Service

” Velos has provided me with an excellent competitive service over the years. If I buy another boat I will have no hesitation in requesting a quote from Velos again. “

Take a look at our FAQ’s or call us on 020 7929 4058 for more information

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2. Please choose which area your vessel is currently moored or located in:

3. select one of the following cruising areas, 4. please select your boat type:.

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Velos Insurance Services Ltd Notcutt House, 36 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9EU

Registered Address 5 Market Yard Mew, 194-204 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3TQ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England. No. 3484670. Velos Insurance Services Ltd is a member of BIBA (British Insurance Brokers Association)

Boat Insurance with a new look

As the UK’s first online boat insurer, we’ve now made our website even easier to use. Our premiums are as competitive as ever and there’s our great App too!

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What We Offer

Craftinsure app.

The Craftinsure App lets you make changes to your cover from your phone and save images of high value contents and gear insured. Geolocate your boat so we can send you relevant help when the wind blows hard or areas flood. Upload video and pictures instantly of the damage and make a claim, all from your phone. Boat Insurance as painless as possible. Open the App

Professional Crew

Boats are our passion - we understand the joys and the challenges of owning a boat. At the helm of Craftinsure are 3 boat owners - we all have our own boats, too many in some cases!. We race Dinghies most weekends and our MD is on his Beneteau as often as he can get out of the office. We bring many years Underwriting experience and the leadership team are all Insurance qualified, (ACII). Claims are dealt with by our own claims crew. We don’t outsource our claims to call centres. Our claims team are also vastly experienced, and again you might see them afloat at the weekend.

Craftinsure Limited is a privately owned Underwriting Agency and craftinsure.com is a trading name. Craftinsure is owned by Boat owners who are set up the business nearly 20 years ago and Craftinsure now insures over 25,000 boats. We only insure Boats. Craftinsure is a ‘Quote and Buy’ online business, we pass on the cost savings of being online to you as very competitive premiums. We are direct to customers only – we do not deal with brokers or marinas, so you get the savings.

Craftinsure enjoy sponsoring boating events in the UK. These are usually Sailing Regattas, but we do support all types of boating events. Craftinsure support a number of Dinghy and Yacht Class and Owners Associations – Get in contact if you want to work with us.

20 years o f cover

Craftinsure was started in 2001, we were the first online Boat Insurer. Remember dial up modems? We have become a leading Boat Insurer in the UK. With more than 25,000 current policyholders we are now one of the largest boat Insurers. We removed the paper chase that we saw in boat insurance and replaced it with a 4-6 question quote – quotes take 20 seconds, and 2 minutes to get on cover. To be asked to fill out a form and send it in to underwriters is not reasonable in 2020 - Craftinsure - Boat Insurance made easy.

Risk Advice

We produce a lot of advice on how to reduce the risk of loss or damage to your boat. We understand that if we can help you avoid having an accident it's even better than paying the claim. We post advice on our website and use social media to engage with our customers. We aim to ensure our advice is topical so that it's provided at the relevant time. If you have our App we can serve advice specific to your boat type and where your boat is located.

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Politics latest: Polls set to open across England and Wales as voting takes place in local elections

England and Wales are holding a series of elections on Thursday, with several regional mayors and police and crime commissioners being decided as well as council seats up for grabs. Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm.

Wednesday 1 May 2024 23:28, UK

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• First illegal migrants bound for Rwanda detained
• Jon Craig:  Raids were like something from Miami Vice
• Scottish government survives confidence vote
• Yousaf denies he was victim of plot to oust him
• 'Realistic prospect' Tories try to oust PM after local elections
• Local elections:  All you need to know about this week's votes
• Live reporting by Faith Ridler and (earlier)  Charlotte Chelsom-Pill

Guto Harri, the former Number 10 director of communications under Boris Johnson, has said it is a "realistic prospect" the Conservatives could move against Rishi Sunak if the results of the local elections are bad.

"I think that would be mad and unfair, but I think it's a realistic prospect now," he tells Sophy Ridge .

"It's clear that one or two mayoral contests could be read as the trigger. It could be that the overall number is so bad that that is the trigger."

'It can be very brutal'

Mr Harri says that, by Sunday, there could be conversations across Westminster on whether Tory MPs could move against Mr Sunak.

"It can happen very, very quickly, and it can be very brutal," noting the speed at which his old boss Mr Johnson was toppled.

Andrew Fisher, former head of policy for Jeremy Corbyn, says that, in contrast, Thursday could be a good night for Labour.

"It's clearly going to be a bad night for Rishi Sunak," he says.

We'll be back from 6am as polls prepare to open in local elections across the country, with mayoral and police commissioner votes also planned.

Until then, here are the headlines:

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf has resigned – days after he cut the SNP's powersharing deal with the Scottish Greens.

It followed a bitter row over the SNP's climbdown on climate targets as he said the agreement between the parties had "served its purpose".

As a result, his former Green allies teamed up with the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats to get behind two no-confidence motions, one in himself as leader of Scotland and another regarding the entire Scottish government.

Now attention turns to another SNP leadership contest and what the divisions in Scottish politics could mean for the future of the independence campaign.  

On the Sky News Daily , Matt Barbet speaks to Paul Hutcheon, political editor of the Daily Record, and Shona Craven, from The National, about how the SNP can move on after Mr Yousaf's resignation.

Plus, Connor Gillies , our Scotland correspondent , explains how the leadership election will unfold.  

Sir Keir Starmer told Sky News today he doesn't "believe" in the government's Rwanda scheme.

He said Labour would ditch it, vowing not to "flog a dead horse".

His plan would be to "stop the gangs that are running this vile trade" of smuggling people across the Channel, working with law enforcement in Europe.

"And that's why I've already had discussions in The Hague (including with EU law enforcement agency Europol) about how quickly we can share data intelligence to do that," he said.

"I'm absolutely determined to tackle this problem because the government has lost control of the borders."

Watch more below:

It's been three years since the 2,600 council seats up for grabs this week were in play - and Sir Keir Starmer couldn't be in more different place as he goes into polling day.

Back in 2021, facing an ascending Boris Johnson, Sir Keir lost the Hartlepool by-election, hundreds of councillors and a clutch of councils.

It was, Sir Keir tells me on his final election rally in the Essex town of Harlow - where Labour wants to take the council off the Tories this week and win the constituency back at the general election - a "low point", as he confirmed for the first time that he considered quitting as the results came in and the Johnson inflatable blimp flew high over Hartlepool.

"I did [consider quitting] because I didn't feel that I should be bigger than the party and that if I couldn't bring about the change, perhaps there should be a change," he said.

"But actually in the end I reflected on it, talked to very many people and doubled down and determined no it is the change in the Labour Party we need."

You can read more from Beth below:

A trade union representing senior civil servants has submitted an application for a judicial review against the government's controversial plan to send migrants to Rwanda.

The FDA said its move related to the relationship of the Civil Service Code with the government's Safety of Rwanda Act.

The union said that under the act a minister could determine whether to comply with an order made by the European Court of Human Rights.

A direction to ignore such an order would breach international law, which conflicts with the duty of civil servants under the Civil Service Code to act in compliance with the law, which includes international law, said the FDA.

General secretary Dave Penman said it was not a decision the union had taken lightly, adding: "The government has had plenty of time to include an explicit provision in the act regarding breaking international law commitments which would have resolved this but it chose not to.

"Civil servants should never be left in a position where they are conflicted between the instructions of ministers and adhering to the Civil Service Code, yet that is exactly what the government has chosen to do.

"This is not an accident, or down to poor drafting. It's a political choice from the government, made not for the good of the country but to avoid upsetting either of the warring factions within its own party."

Mr Penman said the union had to protect the interests of its members and the integrity of the Civil Service Code.

A government spokesperson said: "The Home Office already sought advice from the director general of proprietary and ethics in the Cabinet Office on the issue of the Civil Service Code and claims over the legality of implementing the Rwanda deportation scheme under the new legislation."

The week has kicked off with a huge political story - the resignation of Humza Yousaf - and will end with another, as voters across England and Wales turn out for the local elections.

Sky's political reporter Alexandra Rogers   has looked ahead to a potentially defining night for Rishi Sunak's premiership, when hundreds of council seats, police and crime commissioner jobs, and mayoral posts will be up for grabs.

Read her full explainer below:

The Tory mayor of the West Midlands is sending voters an endorsement from Boris Johnson which urges people to "forget about the government", Sky News can reveal.

Andy Street's campaign website makes no mention of Rishi Sunak on its homepage and is coloured in green rather than Conservative blue, suggesting the mayor is trying to run on his credentials as an independent campaigner rather than under the unpopular Tory brand.

Other campaign literature - including the front page of a campaign "newspaper" seen by Sky News - makes no mention of the Conservative leader.

You can read more from Sky News below:

The Sky News live poll tracker - collated and updated by our Data and Forensics team - aggregates various surveys to indicate how voters feel about the different political parties.

With the local election campaign well under way, Labour is still sitting comfortably ahead, with the Tories trailing behind.

See the latest update below - and you can read more about the methodology behind the tracker  here .

By Sam Coates , deputy political editor

More than 2,600 seats are up for election in 107 English councils on Thursday.

Now, YouGov has made its final calls for some key contests using the MRP polling method after interviewing almost 9,000 people over two weeks.

Here, exclusively on Sky News, are the headlines. 

We'll start with two key battlegrounds...

By Tomos Evans , Wales reporter

Calls for an investigation into a £200,000 donation to Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething have intensified in recent weeks.

A motion calling for an independent probe into the money was debated in the Senedd on Wednesday and defeated by 27 votes to 25.

But former deputy climate change minister Lee Waters said Mr Gething should do "the right thing" and return the donation.

Mr Gething was elected leader of Welsh Labour in March and succeeded Mark Drakeford as Wales's first minister.

Opposition parties launched a bid to appoint an independent advisor to check whether there was any conflict of interest over the donation during the leadership campaign.

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To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories .

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Alistair Charlton

This Chinese Luxury Hybrid SUV Combines a Tank, a Bentley, and a Boat

What do you get when you cross a Land Rover Defender, a Bentley, and a boat? The answer is the Yangwang U8, an enormous hybrid SUV from the upmarket sub-brand of Chinese electric car giant BYD that can drive on—yes, on , not in—water.

The Land Rover bit is obvious thanks to the U8’s chunky styling, massive scale (at 5.3 meters, it’s as long as the Defender 130), and claimed ability to drive just about anywhere due to four electric motors and clever hydraulic suspension.

The Bentley factor also doesn’t take much explaining, since the U8’s cabin takes a big step up from the plastics and synthetic leathers used in BYD’s lesser cars like the Seal and Atto 3 . Here there are acres of napa leather, plush headrests, massage seats with heating and cooling, and open-grain Sapele wood veneer. There’s even a storage cubby beneath the central armrest that can be cooled to –6 degrees Celsius or heated to 50 degrees Celsius (21 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit).

Less Bentley but more BMW is the amount of tech onboard, including three displays spread across the dashboard and two more to entertain rear-seat occupants. The central 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen is curved vertically and flanked by a pair of 23.6-inch displays facing the driver and passenger. There’s 50-watt wireless phone charging and a 22-speaker sound system with support for Dolby Atmos.

Works on Water …

Now for the boat bit. Ready? BYD says the U8 can wade through water up to 1 meter deep—100 millimeters more than a Defender—and then after that, should the wet stuff get deeper, it floats.

You could, of course, argue that any car temporarily becomes a boat when unexpectedly introduced to water, but the Chinese company actually means it.

Instead of promptly ingesting a few gallons, flooding the cabin, and expiring, the U8 calmly shuts down the engine, closes its windows, switches the air conditioning to recirculate, opens the sunroof as an emergency exit, and keeps right on going. There’s no rudder or outboard motor, but BYD says the U8 can sail at 1.8 mph by simply spinning its wheels.

Aarian Marshall

Adrienne So

Eric Ravenscraft

Watch the U8 being tested sailing through watch in boat mode. Be warned, it can only do this for 30 mins.

Boat mode is only intended for use in an emergency, like flash flooding, and BYD says the U8 is designed to do this for just 30 minutes. It isn’t clear what happens on extended voyages.

Drivers/skippers are also urged to take the U8 to a workshop for an inspection after unintentionally (or perhaps intentionally) taking their luxury electrified 3,460-kilogram car/yacht into the water. This might make the U8's bathing abilities sound like an unnecessary feature, but in countries prone to extreme rainfall and flooded roads, building a car capable of floating back to safety isn’t as strange as it sounds.

… and on Mountains

Back on dry land, the U8 promises to be a seriously capable off-roader. Intelligent drive modes send power and torque to whichever corner needs it, and because there’s an electric motor for each wheel, the U8 can perform a tank-turn, spinning on the spot by turning its left and right sides in opposing directions. On asphalt it’ll create enough friction to buy the Michelin Man a new holiday home, but it’s a smart way of negotiating tight spots while off-roading.

We mentioned earlier how this is a hybrid, but its drivetrain doesn’t work in the conventional sense. While there's a turbocharged, 2-liter petrol engine, it isn’t connected to the wheels. Instead it acts as a range-extending generator and sends its power to the U8’s modest 49-kWh battery pack.

BYD says the U8 will manage 112 miles on electricity alone or 620 miles when the engine gets involved. The four electric motors combine to produce a frankly absurd 1,200 horsepower, making the U8 the world’s most powerful SUV. And BYD says the near 4-ton car accelerates to 0-62 mph in just 3.6 seconds.

Tech Specced

The flagship U8 Premium Edition supports fast DC charging up to 110 kW. Now, that doesn’t sound like much in a world of 320-kW Porsches , but the Yangwang’s relatively small battery means charging from 30 to 80 percent takes a claimed 18 minutes. The engine can be used as a vehicle-to-load (VTL) generator, delivering up to 6 kW for charging electricals and powering appliances.

As you’d expect in 2024, the U8 is packed with driver assistance tech, too. Those three taxicab-like bumps on the roof are lidar units for creating real-time 3D scans of the road ahead. There’s also 5-millimeter wave radars, 14 ultrasonic sensors, and 16 cameras. BYD says semiautonomous driving on highways and City Navigation Autopilot will arrive via future over-the-air updates.

The U8 is priced from the equivalent of £120,000 (around $149,000) in China, where it is available right now. Sadly, BYD has not yet committed to selling the car in Europe and the UK, or even to bringing its premium Yangwang brand here. But when you consider European drivers' newfound willingness to try novel car brands, paired with a plush SUV market already offering the BMW iX , Mercedes G-Class, and Range Rover , the thought of U8s tank-turning in tight city streets or wading with confidence through flooded fords either side of the Atlantic doesn’t feel far from reality.

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Do I Really Need Insurance For My Motor Yacht?

Insurance helps you protect yourself against risks. The types of insurance that you need will depend on what you need to protect. Boat Insurance can typically be split into two types, Hull and Third Party Liability. We generally recommend that boat owners insure themselves against both the liability risks arising from the use of their own boat (Third Party Liability) and loss or damage to the boat itself (Hull). You may, of course, decide not to take out a Hull Insurance and fover the financial consequences of any damage to the boat yourself. In these cases, we would recommend, as a minimum, you take out Third Party Liability insurance .

Insurance for Motor Yacht Owners: The Most Important Policies

Motor yacht hull insurance.

This type of insurance protects you against costs arising from loss or damage to your motor yacht. The Pantaenius Motor Yacht Cover Plus policy is based on an Agreed Fixed Value and offers the most comprehensive cover available in the UK and covers your motor yacht against all risks including cover for mechanical breakdown, damage caused by misfuelling and loss or damage to fuel, all included as standard. With an Agreed Fixed Value policy, the value of the boat is agreed between insured and insurer right from the start and that’s what is covered in the event of a total loss whereas some insurance providers will only offer market value or reserve the right to replace the marine vessel with a similar one. Most boat hull insurance policies will have an excess. An excess is the amount you agree to pay towards any claim you make. Amounts differ from policy to policy as does the application – so if comparing two policies, one possibly with a higher excess than the other, look to see what type of claim it does or does not apply to.

Motor Yacht Third Party Liability Insurance

Unlike with motor, there is no legal requirement to have marine Third Party Liability Insurance. However, having this type of insurance for your motor yacht makes sound financial sense as it will protect you against any third party liability for injury or damage caused by you or your motor yacht. The consequence of damaging a jetty, blocking a channel or water pollution can quickly bring a significant financial burden should you not have the appropriate insurance in place.

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