Can anyone tell me what the rule is with getting a boat insured please?
I will be using my Shetland 535 in the season and it will be stored in a garage in the winter.
Does anyone know if it’s Law and you should be insured?
Obviously be nice to be covered for any instance that might occur when in the water or when in my garage for theft, doubt house contents insurance would cover it?
What do people on here do with regards to insurance?
If anyone recommends insurance then any links for brokers would be good.
The only suggestion I can think is to look at insurance in the season but basically insurance is the lowest part of boat ownership for me at around £140 for the year. That’s not including coastal work. You must have insurance on the Thames and Wey Navigation where I use mine.
OK, so now, without being rude, why would you not want to insure against the huge potential for risk, damage, loss and injury/death that is associated with boating? Even the best and most experienced boaters get into difficulties and what if you get rammed by an uninsured boater? Personally I think it’s the responsible thing to do and a false economy to be uninsured. There’s probably rules too! YouTube boat fails!
I used a comparison site for mine, there’s a few to choose from. Good luck!
4+2 (1988) 35hp Honda outboard, currently in a field outside Horsham.
Don't know where you are taking the boat but on any inland waterways you will usually need a licence even for a day and boat must have a boat safety certificate which would be a clause in the insurance. Gone are the days you just buy a boat and plonk it in the river.
How did you get a licence as you need proof of a Boat safety certificate and insurance to get one, well you do where I am. Look online for testers near you, cost around £150-200. Have you changed the boat ownership with the river authority as it may have a current test certificate.
On the Thames you can buy a day license which I have in the past either called environment agency or I have brought from the lock keeper, just brought one for 2 months
They ask boat name and length and bow measurements and that’s it.
They have never asked for insurance or bss info
I seem to remember there was an ancient right of passage on the Thames that was never rescinded, but unlicensed boat are reported and recorded. If it continues to be used, a fine is issued.
