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Tell us about your boat
Answer a few questions about your boat and how you use it.
What kind of boat insurance are you looking for?
Different boats can need different cover.
Motor boats
Cover for recreational motor boats, from tinnies and runabouts to larger cruisers.
Sailing boats & yachts
Cover for sailing boats and yachts, including racing and offshore cruising where available.
Jet skis & PWC
Cover for jet skis and personal watercraft. Not every boat insurer covers PWC.
Houseboats & specialist craft
Options for houseboats, liveaboards and boats that may need a more specialist insurer.
Why boat insurance is different
The type of boat is only part of the picture.
A recreational boat used close to shore is different from a liveaboard yacht, offshore cruiser or charter boat.
Some providers cover PWC, racing or blue-water cruising. Others have tighter limits.
Older, timber, custom-built, modified or high-performance boats can also need a more specialist approach.
What you'll need to get a quote
It helps to have a few details ready.
- The make, model and year of the boat.
- Roughly what the boat is worth.
- The hull type and engine details.
- Where the boat is normally stored or moored.
- How you use it, including racing, offshore cruising or business use.
- Details of important modifications, trailers, tenders or equipment.
- Your current policy and recent claims history if you already have cover.
How Specialist Compare works
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Review your results
See providers based on what you've told us.
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Choose who to contact
Review your options and decide which provider you want to approach.
What affects the cost of boat insurance?
There isn't one standard price for boat insurance. These are some of the things insurers can look at.
Boat type and value
The type of boat and how much it is insured for can affect the premium.
Age and construction
Older boats and different hull materials can be treated differently by insurers.
Engine and performance
Engine power, speed and modifications can affect the quote and the cover available.
How you use the boat
Recreational use, racing, offshore cruising, liveaboard use and commercial use can all make a difference.
Storage and mooring
Where and how the boat is normally kept can affect the risk an insurer is taking on.
Cover, excess and claims
The cover you choose, your excess and your claims history can affect what you pay.
What is boat insurance?
Boat insurance is cover for boats and other watercraft.
Depending on the policy, it can cover things such as accidental damage, theft, fire, storm damage and liability for damage or injury caused to other people.
Policies can differ on the boats they cover, where you can use them and whether things such as racing, liveaboard or commercial use are included.
What boat insurance can cover
Cover varies by provider and policy, but it can include:
Accidental damage
Cover for insured accidental damage to the boat and its equipment.
Theft, fire and weather damage
Cover for insured events such as theft, fire, storm and other weather damage.
Legal liability
Cover for certain claims if you're legally responsible for injury to another person or damage to their property.
Trailer, tender and equipment
Some policies cover trailers, tenders, motors and boating equipment as part of the policy or up to set limits.
Salvage and emergency costs
Some policies include costs such as salvage, towing or emergency assistance after an insured event.
Racing and offshore cruising
Racing and offshore cover is available from some providers, but the limits can be very different.
Liveaboard and commercial use: Standard recreational boat insurance may not cover a boat used as a permanent home, for charter, hire or for business. Tell the insurer how you actually use it.
Helpful guides
How much does boat insurance cost in Australia?There isn't one standard price. Here's what can affect the quote.Agreed value vs market value for boat insuranceHow your boat is valued can make a big difference if it is stolen or written off.Does boat insurance cover offshore cruising?Insurers can set very different cruising limits. Here's what to check before heading further offshore.Boat insurance for older, timber or modified boatsSome boats are harder to insure than others. Here's what providers may look at.
Boat insurance FAQs
Does boat insurance cover offshore cruising?
It can. Insurers set their own cruising limits, and some policies are designed for much wider offshore or overseas travel than others. Check the cruising area before you head further offshore.
Can I insure an older or timber boat?
Often, yes. Some insurers may ask for more information, a valuation or a survey. Specialist marine providers can also cover boats that fall outside a standard insurer's usual range.
Does boat insurance cover racing?
Some policies offer racing cover, particularly for sailing boats. Race type, distance and other conditions can affect whether cover is available.
Can I insure a jet ski under boat insurance?
Some boat insurers cover jet skis and PWC, while others don't. PWC cover can also come with its own conditions.
Can I insure a boat that I live on?
Some providers cover houseboats and liveaboards. Others exclude boats used as a permanent residence, so make sure you tell the insurer if you live aboard.
Can I insure a boat used for charter or business?
You may need commercial marine insurance rather than normal recreational boat cover. Specialist marine providers can offer cover for some charter, hire and business uses.