- Covers machinery and outboard motors
- Third-Party cover
- Over 195 years of marine insurance experience*
- 24-hour emergency claims helpline
RIB Insurance
What is RIB insurance?
RIB insurance is specially designed to protect your Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) from a range of risks, including damage, theft, and third-party liability.
Choosing cover through GJW Direct means you can cruise with confidence, knowing your RIB’s machinery and outboard motors are covered against unexpected events on the water.
Why choose us
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Protected No Claims Bonus
Once you earn no claims bonus it is protected. This means that you will not lose your no claims bonus if you have one claim in any one policy period. Two or more claims will result in a loss of no claims bonus.
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Machinery Damage Cover
We cover loss or damage to the machinery and outboard motors caused by impact between the RIB and any substance including ice (but not water).
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Road Transit Cover
We will cover your vessel during road transit (when requested) up to 30ft, great for those long journeys to your favourite locations to use your RIB.
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Marina Scheme Benefits
If you keep your vessel in a recognised UK marina, you are entitled to Special Endorsements as part of our Marina Scheme.
What does RIB insurance cover?
RIB Insurance
- Third-party liability—cover for you and others using your RIB.
- Theft—covers your RIB and outboard motors if stolen
- Damage—fire and explosion damage, and damage caused by latent defect.
- Machinery damage cover—includes loss or damage to machinery and outboard motors (but not water damage).
- Agreed value—in the event of a total loss, we’ll pay the value of your vessel originally agreed upon taking out your policy.
- Transit—transit and trailer cover for transit by road.
- Protected no claims bonus—you won’t lose your no claims bonus if you have one claim in any one policy period.
- Legal protection cover—covers legal expenses up to £100k to pursue damages for injury or death or expenses following damage to your RIB or for the defence of criminal prosecutions brought against you.
- Personal accident cover—covers you and any other person using your RIB with your permission for accidental bodily injury or death.
- Medical expenses cover—covers you and the crew of your RIB for Medical Expenses arising out of personal injuries caused by any of the perils covered under your RIB Insurance.
- Wear and tear and lack of maintenance.
- The cost of repairing or replacing a latently defective part/item.
- The cost of rectifying faults in design or construction.
- Wilful misconduct and your own deliberate acts.
- Racing speed tests of trials.
- Mechanical or electrical breakdown.
- Theft of any item not securely fastened to the vessel, inside a locked compartment on board the vessel or in storage ashore.
For more cover details, read our important documents page.
Why consider RIB insurance?
Cruising along the coast in your RIB is one of the best ways to enjoy life on the water. But as with any outdoor activity, it comes with potential risks, such as running into another boat or having your outboard motor stolen from the marina.
Having specialist RIB insurance in place means you won’t have to cover repair, replacement, or liability costs following an incident. Many marinas and sailing clubs also require RIB insurance as a condition of use.
Choosing cover through GJW Direct means you can relax and make the most of your time on the water, knowing you’re protected against the unexpected.
How much does RIB insurance cost?
How much you’ll pay for RIB insurance depends on several factors, including the size, value, and age of the RIB, where the RIB is stored, and the mooring location and its associated risk.
You can get an online quote here to find out the cost of your RIB insurance policy through GJW Direct.
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.
RIB insurance FAQs
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While RIB insurance isn’t legally required in the UK for recreational use, it is often required by sailing clubs and marinas as a pre-requisite for membership. It can also help to provide peace of mind that you’re protected against the risks associated with cruising the coast and inland waterways.
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This depends on your RIB’s use and location. Typically, if you use your RIB for recreation on open water, you don’t need to be registered unless it’s used beyond a few miles from shore. It may need to be registered with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency otherwise.
If you plan to use your RIB on canals, rivers, or other managed inland waterways, you’ll likely need a boat licence from either the Canal & River Trust or the Environment Agency.
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Whether your RIB has an outboard or inboard motor, RIB insurance arranged by GJW Direct covers damage to the engine and equipment of your vessel caused by impacts, so you can cruise safely.
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RIBs are generally higher-end vessels made for higher speeds and have more space for passengers and storage.
A SIB, or Soft Inflatable Boat, is used primarily for leisure, as it’s much easier to transport than a RIB which may need to be towed by a trailer. Looking for a policy for your SIB? Check out the small craft policy offered through GJW Direct.
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.
RIB & speedboat guides
*GJW Direct has been arranging marine insurance since 1826
