- Covers machinery and outboard motors
- Third-Party cover up to £5m
- Over 195 years of marine insurance experience*
- 24-hour emergency claims helpline
SIB Insurance
What is SIB insurance?
SIB insurance protects your Soft Inflatable Boat (SIB) from the risks associated with owning and using one, such as damage, theft, and third-party liability.
Choosing SIB cover through GJW Direct means you can boat with confidence, safe in the knowledge you’ll be covered against accidents and other unexpected events out on 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 SIB insurance cover?
SIB Insurance
- Third-party liability—up to £5m cover for you and others using your SIB.
- Theft—covers your SIB and outboard motors if stolen from a locked place of storage.
- Damage—fire and explosion damage, and damage caused by latent defect.
- Agreed value—in the event of a total loss, we’ll pay the value of your SIB originally agreed upon taking out your policy.
- Transit—transit and trailer cover for transit by road.
- Racing—UK recreational racing only
- Legal protection cover—covers legal expenses up to £100k to pursue damages for injury or death or expenses following damage to your SIB 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.
- Faults in design or construction.
- Defective workmanship.
- Wilful misconduct.
- Racing outside of the UK.
- Rot, mildew, dampness, corrosion, weathering, or any other gradually operating cause.
For more cover details, visit our important documents page.
Why consider SIB insurance?
Riding the waves in your SIB is great fun. But as with any other water-based activity, it’s not without its fair share of risk.
SIBs are more lightweight and flexible than other boat types, so they can be more prone to capsizing or veering off course. They’re not as sturdy as their RIB counterparts, either, so they can be more likely to suffer structural damage in the event of an accident.
Having specialist SIB insurance means you’ll be covered for repairs or replacements following incidents. Many UK marinas and sailing clubs also require valid SIB insurance as a condition of entry.
How much does SIB insurance cost?
The cost of SIB insurance can vary depending on your SIB's value and your claims history.
The easiest way to find out how much your SIB insurance could cost is to get a free quote online 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.
SIB insurance FAQs
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While SIB insurance isn’t a legal requirement for recreational use, UK sailing clubs and marinas often require it as a pre-requisite for membership. It can also help provide peace of mind that you’re protected when using your SIB.
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This depends on your SIBs primary use and location. Typically, if you use your SIB 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.
However, if you plan to use your SIB on canals, rivers, or other managed inland waterways, you’ll likely need to obtain a boat licence from either the Canal & River Trust or the Environment Agency.
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SIBs can have various motor types, but SIB insurance through GJW Direct can cover engine and equipment damage caused by impacts (including stranding and grounding) so you can cruise safely.
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The main difference between a SIB and a RIB is the material of the hull. SIBs have a soft, flexible hull that is easy to deflate and store, while RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) have a much sturdier hull.
SIBs are used primarily for leisure, and their soft and flexible structure means they’re easy to transport and store without the use of a trailer.
On the other hand, RIBs tend to be higher-end vessels, built for higher speeds and with greater capacity for passengers and storage. Their rigid hull also means they’re often considered a safer option for rough water conditions.
You can also get cover for RIBs through GJW Direct.
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SIBs are a more lightweight option than other boat types, which, along with their flexible hull, can make them easier to store and transport.
They’re highly versatile and are often cheaper than other boat types, too, which makes them attractive to entry-level boaters. SIBs also have a shallow draft, which makes them ideal for navigating shallower waters where larger vessels may not be able.
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.
Boating tips & advice
*GJW Direct has been arranging marine insurance since 1826
