Insuring your RIB boat: Complete guide
Sailing the crystal-clear waters in your RIB boat offers an unrivalled experience, but this adventure requires more than just sailing skills. The peace of mind you're looking for also requires adequate protection!
This is where boat insurance comes in. In this article, Orca Retail aims to answer your questions about the world of RIB insurance, exploring obligations, costs, types of insurance available, and more!
Is boat insurance compulsory for semi-rigid boats?
For private individuals
Yacht, motorboat or semi-rigid boat, you are under no obligation to insure your pleasure boat. Even so, it's still a good idea to take out insurance for your RIB, particularly to make sure you're covered financially in the event of an accident. Grounded, shipwrecked, hit by a rock, storm - sailing at sea is not without risk when you take your RIB out for a ride.
For professionals
If you use your boat professionally, you must take out boat insurance, unlike pleasure boaters. As a minimum, you must be covered by professional indemnity cover. You are covered for all bodily injury and property damage caused to a third party.
The same applies if you practice sports sailing. For competitions, you must be covered for civil liability. In the event of damage to an opponent's boat, for example, your insurance will cover the cost of repairs. Marking a RIB in a port also requires a civil liability insurance certificate.
What are the costs of semi-rigid boat insurance?
As a general rule, the cost of an insurance premium is generally estimated to be around 1% of the value of the boat.
On average, the price of insurance for a RIB is around €100 a year with the minimum cover. For comprehensive insurance, prices rise to €400/year.
However, several factors can influence the price of your contract. This is because the amount of the insurance premium depends on specific criteria, including:
- The age of your boat
- His market value
- His dimensions
- The number of warranties selected
- The power of the motor
- Your marine accident history
What types of boat insurance are available
If you want to insure your semi-rigid craft for your sea and river outings, there are three types of cover: third-party insurance, comprehensive insurance and temporary insurance.
- Liability insurance covers you for damage (material or bodily) caused to a third party.
- All-risk yacht insurance covers total loss of the RIB, property damage on it, but also personal injury accidents on board in addition to damage caused to a third party.
- Temporary insurance guarantees a boat for a short period, for example if you hire a dinghy for the day.
What is the best insurance for a RIB?
Difficult to determine the best boat insurance for your inflatable. Cover depends on your needs (boat hire, sporting activities, etc.). Do you prefer minimum cover? Good cover for your sea trips? Cover for your passengers? For some people, the best insurance is the cheapest. For others, it will be the one offering the best cover in the event of a claim.
Insurance comparison for semi-rigid boats:
- MAAF: Civil liability, Individual marine, Personal assistance, Boat assistance, Legal assistance.
- ALLIANZ: Civil liability, Land damage and loss to the boat, Total or partial theft (including accessories), Damage to and theft of the trailer, Assistance and salvage costs at sea, Individual marine in the event of death, temporary or permanent incapacity of the pilot and passengers.
- Groupama: Civil liability, Defence and recourse, Assistance for boat and people on board.
- MAIF: Compensation following a climatic event if your boat is less than 5 years old and your engine less than 3 years old, Damage to the boat and its equipment following a climatic event, Loan of your boat, Assistance for your boat and your passengers, Legal information on the Internet, Defence recourse.
- MMA: Civil liability, Crew protection, Criminal legal defence and recourse, Sea search expenses, Individual marine (medical expenses, permanent disability, death), Retirement expenses.
- MACIF: Civil liability, Criminal defence and recourse, Legal protection, General assistance, Dockside assistance.
What guarantees for a semi-rigid boat?
Like any craft, cover for semi-rigid boat insurance is varied. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the cover offered by insurers as part of a comprehensive policy.
Guarantees covering the boat
- Hull insurance for repairs to damage sustained during navigation.
- Total or partial theft cover.
- The loss and damage guarantee.
- The hidden defects guarantee if the boat has anomalies.
- The payment of assistance and towing costs at sea.
- The assumption of the costs of refloating or wreck removal.
Guarantees covering equipment
- Engine theft cover.
- Theft of passengers' personal property cover.
- Theft or damage cover for navigation and safety equipment.
Guarantees for people on board
- Coverage of medical expenses due to an accident.
- Repatriation cover for injured persons.
- The costs of search and rescue at sea.
- The payment of a lump sum in the event of death, disability or total or partial incapacity.
Additional guarantees
- Legal protection for criminal defence and recourse following a claim.
FAQ on the insurance of semi-rigid boats
Is a boating licence required for a RIB
Operating a boat with an engine rated at more than 4.5 kW requires you to hold a boating licence. For more information on the subject, please refer to our article: "What boating licence to take for RIBs?".
What insurance for a semi-rigid boat rental?
If you hire an inflatable boat, you have several options for insuring it, you can take out the insurance offered by the hire company or a temporary insurance policy.
How to insure your boat online
More and more insurance companies are offering online boat insurance. To do this, you'll need to fill in the administrative details and answer a few questions about the boat you want to insure. You will also need the registration document for your inflatable boat or the certificate of registration, the signed bill of sale, your boating licence and a bank account details form for direct debit.
What to do in the event of a claim with my RIB boat
In the event of a claim, it is essential to act quickly to ensure optimum cover from your RIB boat insurance. Here are the steps to follow:
- Contact your insurance: Immediately inform your insurance company of the loss and help them assess liability if a third party is involved.
- Make a detailed declaration: When making your declaration, be sure to include the following information: Location of the claim, date of the incident, type of claim (accident, theft, vandalism, weather damage, etc.), and the reason for the claim.), and a detailed description of the damage.
- Enclose the necessary supporting documents: Such as purchase and repair invoices, photographs of the damage, a medical certificate in the event of injury, etc.
In the event of theft, also lodge a complaint with the relevant authorities and provide your insurer with the complaint.
Conclusion
Insuring your RIB boat is not just a formality, but a crucial guarantee to sail serenely. Whether you're a keen yachtsman or a professional sailor, understanding the nuances of boat insurance is essential to protecting your investment and ensuring the safety of you and your passengers. Carefree sailing starts with sensible foresight!
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