Boat insurance
Boat insurance quotes from licensed Australian brokers
Cover on the water, on the trailer and in the pen. Get quotes from brokers who write marine cover and know what your navigation limits actually mean.
- Licensed Australian brokers
- Free to use
- No obligation
Boats spend most of their lives not being used, and a good share of claims happen while they are moored, stored or being towed rather than under way. That is why a boat policy is written around where the vessel is as much as what it does. Add the liability side, where a collision or a fuel spill can create costs well beyond the boat itself, and it becomes a policy worth reading properly. CoverMy is free to use. Tell us about the vessel and licensed Australian brokers come back with options.
What boat insurance usually covers
Most pleasure craft policies are written on a comprehensive basis, covering the hull, motor and equipment against accidental damage, fire, storm, theft and sinking. Liability is usually included, and on the water that matters more than people expect.
- Hull, motors, sails and rigging, plus the trailer on many policies
- Cover afloat, ashore, in storage and while being towed
- Legal liability to other vessels, people and property
- Salvage and removal of wreck, which can exceed the value of the boat
- Personal effects and safety equipment, usually to a stated limit
- Emergency towing and repatriation of the vessel on some wordings
Navigation limits decide where you are covered
Every marine policy states the waters the vessel is covered in. That might be enclosed waters only, coastal waters within a set distance of shore, or a defined region of the Australian coast. Cross that boundary and cover can be affected. If you plan a longer passage, an offshore trip or a move to another state, tell your insurer before you leave. Extensions are usually available and are far easier to arrange in advance than to argue about afterwards.
Where the boat lives matters
A vessel on a swing mooring, in a marina pen, on a hardstand or on a trailer at home each present different risks. Marina berths reduce some exposures and increase others, particularly in a storm or cyclone zone. Insurers will ask about the mooring or berth, its condition, and whether the vessel is lifted out during the cyclone season in northern waters. Trailer boats introduce road risk and theft, and secure storage generally helps the premium.
What affects your premium
Value and vessel type lead, then age and construction. Insurers look at engine power relative to hull size, your boating experience and licences, your claims history, and the excess you are willing to hold. Survey requirements are common on older or larger vessels, and a current survey can improve terms. If the boat is chartered, raced or used commercially in any way, that changes the product entirely, so say so up front.
How it works
- 1
Tell us about the boat and where it is kept
2 min form
- 2
Licensed brokers review and compete on your quote
- 3
Compare offers and choose
No obligation
Frequently asked questions
Is boat insurance compulsory in Australia?
Not generally for private vessels, though marinas, clubs and some moorings require evidence of liability cover as a condition of a berth. Commercial and charter operations face their own requirements. Even where it is optional, the liability exposure on the water is the reason most owners carry it.
How much does boat insurance cost?
It depends on the value, the type of vessel, where it is kept, the waters you use and your experience. A trailered runabout and a moored offshore cruiser are very different risks. A broker can put your details to marine insurers and come back with real figures rather than an estimate.
Is the boat covered on the trailer and on the road?
Most policies cover the vessel while being towed and while in storage, and many include the trailer itself. Liability while towing usually sits with the towing vehicle's motor policy. Confirm both sides with your broker so there is no gap between the two.
What are navigation limits?
They are the waters the policy covers, such as enclosed waters, a stated distance offshore, or a defined coastal region. Operating outside them can affect a claim. If you are planning a longer trip or moving the boat interstate, ask for an extension before you go.
Do I need a survey?
Often for older or larger vessels. Insurers use it to confirm condition and value, and a current survey can improve the terms you are offered. Your broker will tell you whether the insurers they approach require one for your vessel.
Does CoverMy sell the insurance?
No. CoverMy passes your request to licensed Australian brokers who contact you directly. All advice, quotes and policies come from the broker you deal with. There is no cost and no obligation.
Get boat insurance quotes
Tell us about the vessel and licensed brokers will be in touch. Or call 1800 677 761.
Other cover you might need
This page is general information only. It does not take your situation into account and it is not a recommendation to buy any policy. Cover, limits and exclusions vary between insurers, so read the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination and refer to your broker for the full details of any policy.
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Important: CoverMy is not a comparison site and does not provide insurance. We connect you with licensed insurance brokers who provide advice and quotes based on your needs. All advice comes from your broker, using information you provide with your consent.
This page is general information only. It does not take your situation into account and it is not a recommendation to buy any policy. Cover, limits and exclusions vary between insurers, so read the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination and refer to your broker for the full details of any policy.
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