| Only the foolhardy boat owner doesn't have insurance, | | | | where you are going, how long the race is, and when |
| particularly some third party cover in case of personal | | | | you expect to finish. If you are going on an extended |
| injury or property damage through accident or collision. | | | | cruise the insuring company or broker will want to |
| The standard insurance form varies little from one | | | | know much more about the vessel in terms of its |
| company to the other. You'll be asked questions about | | | | internal and external ballast, whether it has a |
| the design, registered number if there is one, | | | | centerboard or lifting keel, what sort of self-steering it |
| construction, type of motor, the rig, what equipment | | | | has, the type of construction, and particularly the |
| and accessories are on board, the sails, mast, standing | | | | thickness of the topsides, deck, and cabin top. There |
| and running rigging and so on. | | | | will be a number of items covering radio call signs, the |
| With motor boats you'll be asked details of the engine, | | | | color of various parts, the sort of radio sets and the |
| whether it is turbo charged, what fuel it uses, and very | | | | frequencies on board, what radio watch schedule is |
| importantly, what sort of extinguishers are on board | | | | proposed and more details about the engines. These |
| and when they were last serviced. The insurer | | | | items are needed in case a search has to be initiated. |
| naturally wants to be certain their risk is as little as it | | | | The insurer will also want to know when the vessel |
| can possibly be. | | | | was last surveyed and have a copy of that survey |
| When it comes to accessories it pays to be very | | | | attached to the questionnaire. Very importantly, for |
| careful indeed to list all that you have on board. List the | | | | extended cruising you will have to advice your itinerary. |
| serial number and sums insured on as many of the | | | | If you don't have one you'll need to define by latitude |
| items as can be insured - items such as personal | | | | and longitude the area in which you plan to sail and |
| effects, fishing gear, cameras, binoculars and transistor | | | | advise the departure date and the date of completing |
| radios are not insurable. The equipment and | | | | the voyage. |
| accessories cover actually applies mainly to safety | | | | The insurers will want some idea of the history of the |
| equipment required by statute and other equipment | | | | vessel and the ability and experience of the person in |
| intended for safety use on the boat. The sort of items | | | | charge. This has a bearing on the premium. Insurance |
| you can insure are life- rafts, radios, radars, radio | | | | is a competitive game, but it is best to deal with a |
| direction finders, autopilots, depth sounders, | | | | company which specializes in marine insurance and so |
| compasses, and even the dinghy, the propeller, and | | | | has experience. Evidence of insurance helps satisfy |
| auxiliaries if you have them. But if you intend to go | | | | customs that the vessel is yours and that you won't |
| more than 200 km (124 miles) off the coast you'll have | | | | be a burden in their country. A document proving |
| to fill out a blue water cruising or racing extension. This | | | | insurance is very good prima facie evidence of |
| normally adds about 20% to the premium. | | | | ownership. |
| In the case of races it is straightforward. You say | | | | |