- Protected no-claims bonus
- Up to £20k Personal Accident cover
- 200 years of marine insurance experience*
- 24-hour emergency claims helpline
Yacht Insurance
Why choose GJW Direct for yacht insurance?
With a yacht and sailing boat insurance policy from GJW Direct, you benefit from over 200 years of experience arranging specialist marine insurance, giving you direct access to knowledgeable yacht insurance experts. GJW Direct is also a proud partner of the RNLI, supporting vital sea safety and rescue services around the UK, and offers discounts with our partner brands for customers, helping you access specialist cover with confidence.
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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.
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Cover for sailing abroad
Ready to set sail beyond UK waters? Vessels over 26ft can extend their cruising area to include destinations such as the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, and Baltic waters.
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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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Agreed Value
In the event of a total loss claim, we will pay the value of your vessel originally agreed upon taking out your policy.
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Salvage and Wreck removal
Cover in the event of your vessel needing to be salvaged or becoming a wreck.
What does yacht insurance cover?
Yacht Insurance
- Third-party liability—cover for you and others using your yacht.
- No excess for third-party claims—no excess for loss or damage caused by an untraceable third party (if the vessel is moored in a marina).
- Agreed value—we’ll pay your yacht’s agreed value in the event of a total loss.
- Protected no-claims bonus—you won’t lose your no claims bonus if you have one claim in any one policy period.
- Single-handed sailing—included as standard for up to 18 consecutive hours.
- Legal protection—up to £100k for legal expenses to pursue damages or defend criminal prosecutions.
- Medical expenses—for you and your yachting crew per incident.
- Personal accident cover—for accidental injury or death.
Looking to cover a yacht valued between £1m-5m? Visit our private clients page for more information.
- Wear and tear and lack of maintenance.
- The cost of repairing or replacing a latently defective part/item.
- Rot, mildew, dampness or weathering or any other gradually operating cause.
- Wilful misconduct.
- A fault in design or construction
- Defective workmanship.
- Mechanical or electrical breakdown.
- Galvanic corrosion or electrolysis unless you are able to demonstrate that sufficient anodes have been installed.
For more cover details, visit our important documents page.
How much does yacht insurance cost?
On average, GJW Direct customers pay £440 a year for yacht and sailing boat insurance**.
Several factors can influence how much you’ll pay for a yacht or sailing boat insurance policy, including:
- your no claims bonus
- your cruising area
- the boat’s value and age
To get the best idea of how much your yacht insurance policy might cost, get an online quote with GJW Direct.
Discover our partner discounts for yacht owners
As a GJW direct customer and yacht owner, you’ll get access to a large selection of discounts. Explore the list of brands we work with.
Why consider yacht insurance?
Owning a yacht or sailboat offers a great sense of adventure and escape from everyday life, but it also comes with potential risks.
Accidents on the water can happen unexpectedly—whether you’re involved in a collision in a crowded marina or injure another person whilst cruising. Even lending your boat to a trusted friend or family member can lead to unforeseen incidents.
Having a specialist yacht insurance policy in place means you’re prepared for life’s uncertainties, from damage to your vessel to liability claims.
Who is yacht insurance for?
Yacht insurance by GJW Direct is designed for owners of sailing yachts and sailing boats, whether you enjoy leisurely days on the water, longer coastal cruises or local club racing. With specialist cover options available for different types of sailing, you can explore the insurance options available for your yacht
Leisure and recreational sailors
From weekend sailing trips to relaxing days exploring the coastline, yacht insurance can provide financial protection against risks such as accidental damage, theft and third-party liability.
Coastal cruising enthusiasts
Enjoy longer journeys or exploring different cruising areas? Yacht insurance can include options for coastal cruising, whether you're planning short trips or longer adventures along the coastline.
Yacht racing enthusiasts
Taking part in local club racing? Cover can include UK club racing, with additional options potentially available for racing outside the UK.
Liveaboard yacht owners
If your yacht is also your permanent home, liveaboard insurance options may be available, providing cover for those who live aboard their sailing vessel.
Yacht owners sailing abroad
Planning to explore further afield? Whether you're sailing to the Mediterranean, Canary Islands or Baltic waters, extended cruising areas may be available for trips abroad, depending on your policy.
Looking for insurance for a motor-powered yacht instead? Explore our motor cruiser insurance options.
Refer your friends and you’ll both be rewarded
Refer your friends to GJW Direct and you'll both get a voucher from one of six retailers when they take out a policy with us.
What types of yachts and sailing boats can you insure?
From classic British sailing yachts to modern cruising boats, GJW Direct arranges specialist yacht insurance for a wide range of sailing vessels. Cover availability depends on factors such as your boat's specifications, intended use and individual circumstances.
Popular sailing yacht brands and models
Here are some examples of popular sailing yacht makes and models you may be looking to insure:
- Hallberg-Rassy
- Moody
- Hanse
- Jeanneau
- Beneteau
- Bavaria
- Dufour
- Contessa
- Westerly
- Sadler
Whether you own a small sailing yacht, a family cruising boat or a larger offshore sailing yacht, you can explore your insurance options with GJW Direct.
Don't see your yacht listed? These are just examples of popular makes and models, not a confirmed list of vessels we can insure. Eligibility and cover availability are assessed individually, so get a quote to find out what options may be available for your boat.
Specialist luxury yacht insurance for vessels over £1m
If you have a yacht or motor cruiser worth over £1m we have a specialist team dedicated to providing coverage options that are right for you. Find out more about our Private Client Insurance and get a call today.
Meet our yacht insurance expert
"If you plan to take your yacht outside your usual cruising area for a trip abroad, GJW Direct policies can include further trip extensions and tailored cruising areas to cover the dates you need for areas such as the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, and the Baltic waters. However, you must contact us before you travel to update your cruising area, as this may affect your premium. Your cover only applies to the cruising area stated on your insurance schedule."
Karen Wallis
Underwriter and Team Leader
Yacht & sailing boat insurance FAQs
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Yacht owners aren't generally legally required to have insurance for private recreational sailing in the UK, but many marinas require proof of third-party liability cover to access their facilities.
Even if the marinas you plan to visit don't require it, yacht insurance can help provide financial protection against risks such as accidental damage, theft and third-party liability claims, particularly considering the value of your yacht or sailing boat.
Other boating regulations may also apply. For further information, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency provide guidance on regulations for pleasure craft, including safety and equipment requirements.
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Yes—GJW Direct arranges sailing boat insurance for vessels primarily powered by sails, used for recreational sailing or cruising. You can visit our online quote process to personalise your policy.
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Yes—yacht insurance policies arranged by GJW Direct include catamaran yachts and a range of smaller vessels too, from day boats to ocean-going yachts. Simply visit our online quote process and select your boat type.
For motor-powered catamaran yachts, check out our motor cruiser insurance page for more information.
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Yes, through GJW Direct, you can get cover for local club racing in the UK.
You would not be covered for any racing outside of the UK unless agreed by GJW Direct and noted on your insurance schedule.
For more information on yacht racing cover, visit the Yacht Insurance Booklet on the important documents page.
Or, for more information about competitive sailing, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) provides racing rules and guidance for UK sailors.
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If the insured Vessel is over 30 years of age, you must own an out of water condition and valuation survey, carried out and completed within the last ten years by an independent qualified marine surveyor. Any surveyor recommendations should be carried out in the timescales, and all ‘ongoing recommendations’ shall be complied with throughout the period of this insurance.
Where the vessel is under 26ft and valued below £15,000, a survey is not required until the vessel is 50 years of age, subject to the conditions in this survey clause outlined in your policy documents.
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Yes, through GJW Direct you can get liveaboard cover if you use your yacht or sailing boat as your permanent residence.
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Yachts and sailing boats can be kept in a variety of locations, including marinas, harbours, swinging moorings and ashore when not in use. Some owners may also keep their yachts at overseas marinas or moorings. GJW can cover yachts kept overseas, subject to the vessel remaining registered in the UK.
Your usual mooring or storage location can affect the insurance options available, so you'll need to provide these details when getting a quote.
If your yacht is kept in a recognised UK marina, you may also benefit from our Marina Scheme, which offers additional policy benefits.
200 years of experience, built into every policy
2026 marks 200 years since GJW Direct was founded. From humble beginnings in 1826 to becoming a trusted name in boat insurance today, it’s been quite a journey. Explore 200 years of GJW Direct to see how our history shapes the expertise behind your policy today.
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 £258,000.
*GJW Direct has been arranging marine insurance since 1826
***Figure accurate as of July 2026, based on 778 policies
