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:

InsurerUnderwriterDo they cover sailing?Sailing conditionsBuy Now
1HDI Global Specialty SE – Australia Cover for 10 nautical miles or less off any land mass
26Allianz Australia Insurance Limited Cover for 10 nautical miles or less off any land mass
27Chubb Insurance Australia Limited No specific cover for sailing mentioned in PDS
3Allianz Australia Insurance Limited Cover for 10 nautical miles or less off any land mass
4Allianz Australia Insurance Limited Cover for 10 nautical miles or less off any land mass
5Zurich Australian Insurance Limited "Sailing is not covered in International
Waters"
6Zurich Australian Insurance Limited "Sailing is not covered in International
Waters"
7Zurich Australian Insurance Limited "Sailing is not covered in International
Waters"
8Certain underwriters at Lloyd's Cover for 10 nautical miles or less off any land mass
10Certain underwriters at Lloyd's "Sailing extension can be purchased to include ocean racingsailing equipment hireboat waiver excess & more"
11Chase Underwriting Pty Ltd "Offshore sailing cover available that covers for ocean sailingsailing in international waters and amateur competitive sailing (both offshore or onshore)"
12Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Limited Cover in territorial waters when not racing
34Zurich Australian Insurance Limited "Sailing is not covered in International
Waters"
17Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd No specific cover for sailing mentioned in PDS
18Certain Underwriters at Lloyds 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.
19Chase Underwriting Solutions Pty Ltd Cover in territorial waters when not racing
20Zurich Australian Insurance Limited "Sailing is not covered in International
Waters"
45nib Travel Services (Australia) Pty Ltd Cover for 12 nautical miles or less off any land mass
21Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd Level 1: inland or coastal waters within 3 nautical miles. Level 2: beyond 3 nautical miles.
22Allianz Australia Insurance Limited Sailing from 11 to 15 nautical miles from land;
24HDI 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"

General 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

Do I need travel insurance for sailing?

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.

Will I be covered if I have alcohol while sailing?

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.

How much am I covered for if something happens to me while sailing?

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.

Can I go open water sailing on a standard travel insurance policy?

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.

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Our comparison is a free service that allows users to compare quotes in a few simple steps based on limited personal criteria. Comparisons supplied are not a recommendation or opinion about the suitability of a policy for a user. Comparisons are default ranked according to price and users have the ability to sort by popular cover levels. Whilst we compare a vast range of policies, we do not compare all providers in the market. Get free travel insurance quotes from Australia's most trusted brands in just one search, including 1Cover, Fast Cover Travel Insurance, InsureandGo, Ski-Insurance, Travel Insurance Saver, Tick, Zoom Travel Insurance. Compare online and save today! The directors and shareholders are common with companies Zoom Travel Insurance and 1Cover Pty Ltd including it's subsidiary brand Ski-insurance. CoverDirect takes all reasonable care when preparing this information but does not warrant its accuracy. Pricing information is supplied by the providers who participate on this site and should be verified with the insurer before you purchase. This site links users to the website of the provider to verify quotes and access the relevant PDS to understand what is, and is not, covered by a policy prior to purchase. CoverDirect Pty Ltd owns and operates this website under AFS Licence 383590. 332 Kent Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia.

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