Yacht insurance provides specialist protection for privately owned yachts & superyachts covering hull damage, liability, crew, charter exposure and worldwide navigation risks.
Whether valued at £250,000 or several million, your vessel represents both lifestyle and asset. Arranging the right yacht insurance is not simply about meeting marina requirements; it is about safeguarding capital value, protecting passengers and crew, and ensuring continuity should an incident occur anywhere in the world.
Yacht insurance provides financial protection against risks like damage, theft, or liability, and is highly advisable even though it is not a legal requirement in the UK.
We advise private clients on tailored yacht insurance solutions, placing cover through specialist marine markets and providing discreet, relationship-led support throughout the policy lifecycle.
Specialist Yacht Insurance for Owners of High-Value Vessels
We focus on personal-use yachts for private clients, including:
Motor yachts
Sailing yachts
Performance yachts
Crewed vessels
Superyachts
Yachts used for occasional private charter
Our role is advisory. We assess navigation limits, mooring arrangements, crew exposure, usage patterns and ownership structure before approaching insurers.
Every boat is unique and your marine insurance needs will be different from other boat owners, so we recommend a specialist yacht insurance policy tailored to your needs and ensure you have the right cover. For higher-value vessels, this often involves specialist underwriters and layered programmes.
With offices inLondon andBillericay, we support clients across the UK and internationally, ensuring protection aligns with global cruising plans and evolving asset structures.
What Does Yacht Insurance Cover?
Yacht insurance is generally structured into two sections: physical damage (Hull) and liability (Protection & Indemnity). A comprehensive cover can be arranged to provide extensive protection tailored to your needs.
Every yacht carries different exposures. We structure cover around the vessel’s value, specification and usage.
A comprehensive yacht insurance programme can include:
All-risk cover for hull and machinery
Third party liability (Protection & Indemnity)
Personal accident cover for crew and guests
Cover for tenders, outboards and personal effects
Legal expenses and emergency assistance
The cost and structure of a boat insurance policy are influenced by several factors, such as the boat’s value, intended use, and your experience as a skipper.
Hull and Machinery
Protection against physical loss or damage to the hull, engines, machinery and onboard systems, including accidental damage as a key component of this coverage.
Protection and Indemnity (Liability)
Cover for third-party liability, including injury to passengers, damage to other vessels, marina property damage, and third party claims arising from accidents or injuries caused to others.
Crew Liability
For crewed yachts, protection against claims arising from crew injury, illness or employment-related disputes. Coverage also includes medical expenses for crew members or guests injured on the vessel.
Salvage and Wreck Removal
Costs associated with salvage operations, wreck removal and environmental obligations following a major incident.
Personal Effects and Equipment
Cover for tenders, water toys, navigation systems, sails and specialist onboard equipment.
Transit and Lay-Up
Protection while the vessel is transported, stored or laid up outside the sailing season.
We review insured values carefully to ensure adequacy, particularly in light of rising repair costs and marina fee increases.
Superyacht Insurance
For vessels typically exceeding 24 metres, insurance becomes more complex. Superyacht insurance requires careful consideration of:
Worldwide navigation limits
Crewed operations
Increased liability exposure
High-value tenders and toys
Multi-jurisdictional regulatory requirements
For superyacht owners, confidentiality and continuity of service are paramount. Our advisory approach ensures claims are handled discreetly and efficiently, wherever the vessel is located.
Yacht Charter Insurance
If your yacht is made available for charter, even occasionally, the risk profile changes.
Yacht charter insurance can provide:
Cover for commercial or private charter use
Protection against charterer damage
Liability extensions
Loss of charter income
Compliance with Mediterranean or international charter regulations
Charter exposure must be clearly declared and structured appropriately. We guide clients through insurer requirements and ensure policies reflect actual usage rather than assumptions. Insurance policies should always be tailored to the intended use of the yacht (whether for private cruising, chartering, racing, or international voyages) to ensure you have the right coverage in place.
Sailing Yacht Insurance and Racing Cover
For bluewater cruisers and competitive sailors, exposure extends beyond leisure use. Specialist yacht insurance is tailored for cruising yachts, racing yachts, and a wide range of sailboats. Policies can also cover sailing yachts primarily powered by sails and used for pleasure or leisure cruising.
Sailing yacht insurance can include:
Offshore navigation
Extended cruising limits
Mast and rig protection
Storm damage cover
If participating in regattas or organised racing, racing yacht insurance extensions may be required. We ensure cover remains appropriate without compromising overall programme integrity.
International Yacht Insurance
Many of our clients cruise internationally. We arrange yacht insurance that can accommodate:
Mediterranean navigation
Caribbean cruising
European inland waterways
Worldwide limits
Temporary US waters access
We also consider hurricane zones, seasonal lay-up warranties and sanctions considerations where relevant. Whether moored in the UK or based abroad, your policy should reflect your actual cruising intentions.
When a Claim Happens: Dedicated Advocacy
Insurance is tested at the point of claim. Accidents on the water can happen unexpectedly, including collisions and injuries to others. In the event of a total loss claim, your policy will pay out according to the agreed terms, such as Agreed Value or Agreed Fixed Value, ensuring clarity and certainty for yacht owners.
For yacht owners, incidents may involve:
Collision
Grounding
Engine failure
Storm damage
Fire
Crew injury
Salvage operations
In the event of a claim we’ll:
Assign a dedicated claims contact
Liaise directly with insurers
Support communication with surveyors and loss adjusters
Assist with documentation and valuation evidence
Advocate on liability disputes
Support loss of charter income calculations where relevant
You can learn more about our claims approach on ourclaims page.
Why Choose Horner Blakey for Yacht Insurance?
Independent Advice
As an independently owned brokerage, we provide impartial recommendations based on suitability rather than insurer volume targets.
Specialist Individuals
Our service is delivered by experienced insurance professionals with comprehensive knowledge across private client and marine risks.
Relationship-Led Service
We build long-term advisory relationships, reviewing cover annually and as your vessel or cruising plans evolve.
International Capability
We arrange cover for UK-based yachts and those navigating internationally.
Confidential Yacht Insurance Review
We offer a confidential review of your existing yacht insurance to assess adequacy of cover, policy structure and claims support arrangements.
Arrange a Confidential Yacht Insurance Review
If you own a yacht it is important that your insurance structure reflects the scale of your investment and international exposure.
Speak to a specialist at Horner Blakey to arrange a confidential yacht insurance review and ensure your cover remains appropriate, robust and responsive.
For the best idea of how much your yacht insurance policy might cost, speak to our Private Client Team today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is yacht insurance?
Yacht insurance is specialist marine insurance designed to protect privately owned motor and sailing yachts against physical damage, liability claims, crew exposure and international navigation risks.
How much does yacht insurance cost?
Premiums depend on several factors, such as vessel value, intended use, and your experience as a skipper. Costs for boat insurance vary depending on factors like your boat’s value, its intended use, and your experience as a skipper. Other considerations include type, cruising limits, crew arrangements, claims history, and usage, including charter or racing activity.
Is yacht insurance legally required?
Yacht insurance is not a legal requirement in the UK. However, many navigation authorities, marinas, and harbours insist on at least third-party insurance to access their waterways and facilities, and most marinas require minimum third-party liability cover before granting berthing rights.
Do I need separate cover for charter use?
Yes. If your yacht is used for charter, even occasionally, the policy must reflect this exposure to avoid invalidating cover.
Is racing covered under standard yacht insurance?
Racing typically requires a specific extension. We can arrange racing yacht insurance aligned with regatta participation and offshore events.
Can I insure my yacht for worldwide cruising?
Yes. Navigation limits can be extended internationally, subject to insurer terms and seasonal considerations.
