Do I need insurance for my boat?

Boat insurance protects your vessel, its equipment, your liability to other craft on the water, and the people on your boat. While it is not a legal requirement to have insurance simply if you own a boat, you will need at least third-party cover to use it on the UK’s inland waterways. Most UK harbours and marinas also insist on a minimum of third-party cover to protect all their customers.

Do I need a licence to own and insure my boat?

To own a boat kept ashore, no licence is required. However, for inland waterways usage, registration, potential licensing, a BSS certificate, and third-party insurance (usually with a £1m limit, though the Broads Authority requires £2m) are needed. The BSS certificate is essential for boats with certain permanent electrical systems. Using a boat without required documentation invalidates insurance. Consult the navigation authority for specific requirements on your waterway. If sailing beyond UK waters, a registration document from the UK Ship Register is mandatory.

Do all motorboats need a BSS?

Not necessarily. While a Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) certificate is essential for registering or obtaining a licence on inland waterways, there are exceptions. For instance, privately owned ‘open boats’ without motors, such as canoes, don’t need one. Some motorboats, especially those without electrical systems, may also be exempt. It’s always best to consult the navigation authority for specifics. However, boats requiring the BSS certificate must be tested every four years, and owners should ensure they maintain the necessary standards.

Motorboat Insurance | Alan Boswell Group

Name: Motorboat Insurance
Brand: Alan Boswell Group
Rating: 4.9 (1420 reviews)

Motorboat Insurance

Purchase our insurance cover for motorboats and hit the water knowing you have cover in place for your beloved powerboat.

Transit risk

Salvage charges and liability

Loss of gear and equipment from the exterior

Our cover can offer you a range of benefits such as £5m in third-party liability, 25% discount after five years and your no claims bonus is automatically protected. Plus, take advantage of a multi-vessel discount should you have a more than one boat.

The Alan Boswell Group Difference

We are specialists in providing bespoke motorboat insurance tailored to meet your precise requirements. Whether your preference is a Riva, Bayliner, Beneteau, Rodman, Sealine, or Sunseeker, we can assist you in selecting the ideal insurance policy for you and your boat.

How our customers rate us

I felt the service I received was genuine, warm, friendly and knowledgeable.

Mr Wilkinson - Boat Insurance

4.9/5 1420 reviews

Motorboat insurance in detail

Benefits of our motorboat insurance

Multi-vessel discounts

Available for two or more boats. Up to 20% discount available depending on the number of boats insured on the scheme.

Generous no claims bonus

Protected discount can be built up over five years at up to 25% discount.

Keen pricing

We offer what online quote engines can't. By discussing your motorboat with us over the phone or via email, we can obtain competitive cover tailored to your requirements.

Repair clause

Policy will pay up to 125% of the hull sum insured for repairs (to recognise that older motorboats are often more expensive to repair than simply buying a replacement).

Fixed policy excess

The amount you pay is not a percentage of the loss. No excess is payable if your motorboat is damaged whilst moored in a marina berth.

Simple to buy

We remove onerous survey requirements and replace it with a simple condition report, including the option to self-certify (just because a boat is 50 years old it doesn't mean it's falling to bits!). For boats over 25 years of age and 26ft or over, a self-certificate survey and two photos are required. We rarely need an independent condition report, but there will be the odd occasion the insurer asks for one.