Yachts, being a large investment, are usually expensive to insure. However, if you have an in-depth understanding of the factors that affect the cost of yacht insurance, you can take effective measures to control this expense wisely. This post shares 6 ways to reduce your yacht insurance premiums.
Choose a yacht that matches your experience
If you are planning to sail a yacht on your own, then you need to buy a yacht that matches your own level of experience, especially if you are a new owner, and this is one of the best ways to reduce your risk from the source. It is important to note that the maximum speed and size of the yacht, as well as your own sailing experience, will have an impact on the cost and conditions of the insurance policy.
Take advantage of marinas
Storing your yacht in a marina is likely to result in lower insurance costs compared to parking it at will. It's like car insurance, where parking in a locked garage at night will result in lower premiums than parking on a public road. In particular, marinas with 24-hour security guards and secure fixed berths can increase the safety of your yacht, resulting in lower fees as well as deductibles.
If you want to save even further, it's a good idea to leave your yacht ashore every time you're not using it. Insurance companies generally default to the idea that yachts are on the water except during mooring time, and by keeping them ashore, they take on less risk, which further reduces your premiums.
Insure at the correct market value
The market value of a yacht can has a significant impact on the cost of insurance. Therefore, regularly check the current market value of your yacht to ensure that the amount insured is accurate. As the yacht is used, its value will change and you definitely don't want to pay for insurance at the same price as when the yacht was brand new. Also, if you have added new items or made upgrades and modifications to the yacht that have increased its value, make sure you update the insurance amount to avoid underinsurance.
Be truthful about past claims
When you're cruising in your yacht, it's inevitable that you'll be involved in an accident, which is one of the reasons why many people take out insurance for their yacht. If you have recently made a claim, it is important that you tell your insurance company exactly what happened and provide a detailed breakdown of the costs involved. The more information the insurance company has about your past claims, the more helpful it will be.
Conversely, if you have never had a claim, it is important to keep your insurance company informed, as they may offer a no-claims bonus. The longer you continue to sail claim-free, the higher the likelihood that you will receive lower premiums and thus be able to take advantage of more discounts on your insurance costs.
Beware of pre-bundled insurance packages
Many yacht insurance companies offer pre-bundled packages, which may contain add-ons that you don't need, causing you to pay extra. To avoid this, it is recommended that you choose an insurance company that supports you to customize your own online quote, so that the policy can be safely tailored to your actual needs, in this way, you only need to pay for the items that you really need to insure, effectively avoiding unnecessary expenses.
It is important to remember that you must not withhold information about your handling of the yacht from the insurance company. In the event of a claim, withholding information about your yachting activities could jeopardize the policy, so make sure the information you provide is accurate and up to date.
Plan your cruising area wisely
Once you've found and purchased your favorite yacht, there's no need to pay extra for cruising areas you'll never use. For example, if you plan to sail within the UK but opt for coverage that covers a wider area such as Europe or the Mediterranean, this will only add to the cost without providing any real benefit.
It's important to remember that once you stray from a pre-negotiated area of sailing restrictions, you may be found to be in breach of your insurance policy, which is likely to affect your insurance payout in the event of a claim. Therefore, if you subsequently need to extend your cruising range, be sure to talk to your insurance company first for advice.
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