Small boat insurance

  • Over 195 years arranging marine insurance*
  • 24-hour emergency claims helpline
  • Special discounts through partner brands

 

Small boat insurance for SUPs, windsurfers, rowing boats, and more

From rowing to windsurfing, small boat insurance through GJW Direct can help safeguard your craft against theft and accidental damage. It also includes third-party liability cover for you or anyone using your craft, so you’re protected against claims arising from accidents on the water.

Types of small boats covered

From inflatable dinghy insurance to insurance for windsurfers, GJW arrange cover for a wide range of craft.

Canoe & kayak

Canoes & kayaks are ideal for peaceful paddles and adventures. Whether you’re gliding through calm canals or racing your friends, they’re all about simple freedom on the water.

SUP

One of the most fun and accessible ways to enjoy the water, SUPs are great for exploring, exercising, or just seeing who falls in first—there’s no better way to test your balance.

Surfboard

There’s no better thrill than carving down a glassy wave with the sea roaring beneath you. Surfboard insurance can help protect your board, whether you’re riding, racing, or transporting it by road.

Rowing boat

Small boat insurance through GJW Direct includes cover for rowing boats, whether you’re enjoying the serenity of a quiet lake or racing against friends. You also have the option of legal cover, as on all small craft.

Inflatable dinghy 

Whether you use your dinghy as a tender for a larger boat or to enjoy lakes and coastal waters with your family, having inflatable dinghy insurance in place can cover you against theft, damage, and third-party claims.

Windsurfer

Enjoy thrill-seeking adventures along the coast? Windsurf insurance can help you feel reassured that you’re financially protected if you’re involved in a third-party accident or your craft is damaged or stolen.

And more...

We also arrange cover for:

  • Open/Tender Dinghy (powered or rowing, not sailing)
  • Punt
  • Wing Foil


Simply get a quick online quote for small boat insurance below and select your vessel type. 

Why choose us

  • Recreational Racing Cover

    Policies through GJW include cover for racing at no extra charge.

  • No Age Limit On User Of Craft

    Our policy does not impose any age restrictions for any user.

  • Instant cover & access to policy documents

    When taking out a policy, you can choose to be instantly covered & get access to your policy documents.

  • 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 small boat insurance cover?

Small boat Insurance

  • Third-party liability—cover for you and others using your craft.
  • Theft—covers your craft 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 small vessel 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 craft, 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, read our important documents.

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.

 

Find out more

Small boat insurance FAQs

  • Estimating the cost of a small boat insurance policy is difficult, as two key factors influence it: 

    • your claims history
    • the value of your craft  

    The easiest way to learn the cost is to get a quick online quote. 

  • You’re not legally required to hold a small craft insurance policy in the UK. However, if you wish to join a local boating club, it may be required as a prerequisite for membership.  

    You may also want to consider this cover option to protect yourself against third-party claims or the cost of replacing your boat if it’s damaged or stolen.  

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.

Find out more

*GJW Direct has been arranging marine insurance since 1826

Got a question? Call our UK call centre 0151 473 8000

GJWDirect is a Insurance Services product

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Registered office: The Royals, Altrincham Road, Manchester M22 4BJ. Registered in England No. 04507332.