- Recreational racing cover
- Third-party liability cover
- Over 195 years of marine insurance experience*
- 24-hour emergency claims helpline
Canoe & Kayak Insurance
What is canoe or kayak insurance?
Canoe or kayak insurance is a specialist policy designed to protect you and your craft against the risks associated with paddling on the UK’s inland waterways and coastal waters. It covers scenarios like theft, damage, or third-party liability claims.
GJW Direct arranges tailored canoe and kayak insurance with benefits like recreational racing cover and replacement for lost or damaged equipment, so you can enjoy peace of mind while exploring the water.
Why choose us
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Recreational Racing Cover
Policies through GJW include cover for racing at no extra charge.
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No Age Limit On User Of Craft
Our policy does not impose any age restrictions for any user.
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Instant cover & access to policy documents
When taking out a policy, you can choose to be instantly covered & get access to your policy documents.
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Road Transit Cover
We will cover your vessel during road transit (when requested), great for those long journeys to your favourite locations to use your SIB.
What does canoe or kayak insurance cover?
Canoe & Kayak Insurance
- Third-party liability—cover for you and others using your canoe or kayak.
- Recreational racing cover—the policy includes cover for racing on British Canoe Union water grades 1-3 at no extra cost.
- Theft—covers your canoe or kayak whilst ashore, even if it’s outside.
- Damage—fire and explosion damage, and damage caused by latent defect.
- Impacts—includes stranding and grounding.
- No age limit—the policy does not impose any age restrictions for any user.
- Transit—transit and trailer cover for those long journeys to your favourite locations.
- Legal protection cover—covers legal expenses up to £100k to pursue damages for injury or death or expenses following damage to your canoe or kayak, or for the defence of criminal prosecutions brought against you.
- Wear and tear and lack of maintenance.
- The cost of repairing or replacing a latently defective part/item.
- A fault in design or construction
- Defective workmanship.
- Rot, mildew, dampness, corrosion, weathering or any other gradually operating cause.
- Wilful misconduct.
- Racing outside of the United Kingdom.
For more information on canoe or kayak insurance, read our important documents.
Why consider insurance for kayaking or canoeing?
Nothing rivals the thrill of paddling in your canoe or kayak, whether you’re enjoying a peaceful morning on the water or racing with friends. But as with any outdoor activity, accidents are always a possibility.
Imagine your canoe getting damaged after falling off a roof rack or accidentally colliding with another person’s boat while paddling. Unexpected events like these can be costly—that’s where specialist canoe or kayak insurance comes in, providing financial protection and peace of mind if things go wrong.
How much does canoe or kayak insurance cost?
It’s difficult to give an estimation for how much a canoe or kayak insurance policy will cost, as this depends on your boat’s value and your claims history.
To get a clearer idea, you can get an instant online canoe or kayak insurance quote through GJW Direct now.
Partnering with the RNLI
Since 2018, we've partnered with the RNLI to aid their target of halving preventable coastal drownings by 2024. By sharing important safety information with our customers, we've raised over £120,000.
Canoe and kayak insurance FAQs
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You’re not legally required to purchase canoe or kayak insurance in the UK. However, many boating or paddling clubs require proof of insurance as a prerequisite for membership.
Also, third-party liability cover is often required as a minimum by inland waterways and lakes in the UK—it’s a good idea to check local regulations or contact specific clubs or authorities before using these waters.
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While travel insurance may provide some protection, it’s often limited. Specialist canoe or kayak insurance through GJW Direct offers tailored coverage for theft, damage, or third-party liability claims in the UK.
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Yes—if you want to kayak or canoe on inland waterways in the UK, you usually need a licence from Paddle UK. However, you don’t always need a licence if you’re paddling on the sea or tidal waters. It’s a good idea to check with local authorities before entering these waters if you’re unsure.
Discover our partner discounts
As a GJW direct customer, you’ll get access to a large selection of discounts. Explore the list of brands we work with.
Canoe & kayak guides
*GJW Direct has been arranging marine insurance since 1826
