Oh Buoy! It’s easy to sea why more and more Australians are choosing to sail on their holidays. Sailing or yachting can be a spectacular way to experience and explore the scenic waters of your surrounding area.
if you are planning on setting sail in open waters it's important to know that cover varies a lot between providers.
Most travel insurance policies in Australia exclude sailing unless it is within a short distance of the coastline. However, with a growing demand for policies to cover sailing in international waters and amateur competitive sailing, a few insurers have updated their policies! (Aboat time too)!
Don't wreck your trip!
Make sure your chosen insurer covers your watery trip by comparing sailing travel insurance cover below:
| Insurer | Underwriter | Do they cover sailing? | Sailing conditions | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
HDI Global Specialty SE – Australia | Cover for 10 nautical miles or less off any land mass | |||
Certain underwriters at Lloyd's | Cover for 10 nautical miles or less off any land mass | |||
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Limited | Cover in territorial waters when not racing | |||
HDI Global Specialty SE – Australia | Cover for 10 nautical miles or less off any landmass;
cover for up to 15 nautical miles with Sports and adventure pack | |||
Allianz Australia Insurance Limited | Cover for 10 nautical miles or less off any land mass | |||
Chubb Insurance Australia Limited | No specific cover for sailing mentioned in PDS | |||
Allianz Australia Insurance Limited | Cover for 10 nautical miles or less off any land mass | |||
Allianz Australia Insurance Limited | Cover for 10 nautical miles or less off any land mass | |||
Zurich Australian Insurance Limited | Sailing is not covered in International
Waters | |||
Zurich Australian Insurance Limited | Sailing is not covered in International
Waters | |||
Zurich Australian Insurance Limited | Sailing is not covered in International
Waters | |||
Certain underwriters at Lloyd's | Sailing extension can be purchased to include ocean racing, sailing equipment hire, boat waiver excess & more | |||
Chase Underwriting Pty Ltd | Offshore sailing cover available that covers for ocean sailing, sailing in international waters and amateur competitive sailing (both offshore or onshore) | |||
Zurich Australian Insurance Limited | Sailing is not covered in International
Waters | |||
Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd | No specific cover for sailing mentioned in PDS | |||
Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd | General Exclusion - travelling in international waters in a private sail vessel or privately registered sail vessel. Consider the PDS and TMD from TIS and if the policy is right for you. | |||
Chase Underwriting Solutions Pty Ltd | Cover in territorial waters when not racing | |||
Allianz Australia Insurance Limited | Cover for 10 nautical miles or less off any land mass | |||
Zurich Australian Insurance Limited | Sailing is not covered in International
Waters | |||
nib Travel Services (Australia) Pty Ltd | Cover for 12 nautical miles or less off any land mass | |||
Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd | Level 1: inland or coastal waters within 3 nautical miles. Level 2: beyond 3 nautical miles. | |||
Allianz Australia Insurance Limited | Sailing from 11 to 15 nautical miles from land; |
1Cover
Fast Cover
InsureandGo
Zoom Travel Insurance
Allianz
Amex
Australian Seniors
Boomers
Budget Direct
Cover-More
Easy Travel Insurance
Go insurance
Insure4Less
Medibank Private
Travel Insurance Direct
Travel Insurance Saver
Travel Insuranz
Virgin Money
Webjet
Woolworths
World Nomads
WorldcareGeneral Advice Warning: The contents of this article were accurate at the time of writing. Insurers change their policies from time to time, so some information may have changed. You should always read the Product Disclosure Statement of your chosen insurer to understand what is covered and what isn't. The information provided is of a general nature only and does not take into account any personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your personal circumstances.
Don't Rock The Boat Baby
Remember that what each policy does and does not cover varies hugely between insurers so it is important to read the policy document before purchasing if you’re unsure. If you have a watery activity planned that didn’t get a mention, it may have slipped under their radar or it may not be covered. Be sure to contact your insurer to check if all your planned activities are covered.
So Water You Waiting For?
Whether you’re a cadet eager to make your first serious trip into the big blue beyond or an experienced sailor venturing out of Australian waters on a regular basis, smart sailers will always spend time doing a travel insurance comparison. Our site compares a platoon of reputable insurers with policies that cover you whilst cruising the seas. What are you waiting for? Compare sailing travel insurance today!
sailing travel insurance faqs
Most travel insurance policies exclude cover for activities not listed in their policy documents, so if you're going sailing, make sure you purchase a policy that covers sailing. This will cover you for medical emergencies, cancellations and delays, luggage cover and more. Most insurers have distance limitations for sailing, so you'll generally be limited to 10-15 nautical miles from a landmass. If you're sailing further than that, you may need a specialist sailing travel insurance policy.
While a beer or wine at sea might sound grand, don't go overboard. If your claim arises because you or one of your travelling companions was intoxicated, you're unlikely to have a successful claim.
This depends on which travel insurance company you choose to go with. Generally speaking, most travel insurance policies include unlimited emergency medical coverage, although some policies may be capped to a lower amount, particularly for older travellers.
If you're looking to travel more than 15-20 nautical miles from a landmass, most standard travel insurance policies will not cover you. Consider looking for a specialist sailing travel insurer instead.
Hayley Kennedy
Originally from the UK, Hayley took a gap ‘year’ in 2011… and it’s still going! She’s travelled all over the world, volunteering in a Ugandan orphanage, skydiving in Australia, shark diving in South Africa, and skiing in the Alps (and snapping in a ligament in the process!). Certified in Tier 2 General Insurance General Advice and working in travel insurance for over two years, Hayley is a thrillseeker and a storyteller who loves hearing about customers’ holiday plans and sharing her own tips and must-see spots to help get them inspired.
