Frequently asked questions

When you sell your boat you cease to have an insurable interest in the yacht.  Therefore, you will need to notify us, in writing, of the sale as soon as possible.  You can do this by sending an email or a letter.  We cannot cancel the policy by telephone.  When we cancel your policy, a pro-rata refund of unused premium will be made provided no claims have been made in the current insurance period.

Each policy of insurance is based on the individual requirements of the insured. In taking over another person’s policy there is the danger that the policy is not suitable for the needs of the purchaser. Of course, if you feel that you have benefitted from the Pantaenius cover and customer service and wish to recommend us to the buyer of your yacht, then we would be delighted to provide them with a quotation for their insurance.  Please feel free to pass on our contact details. If the new owner wishes to continue to insure the yacht through Pantaenius we will ensure that the there is no gap in cover when the yacht changes hands.  You will need to let us know as soon as possible so that we can offer a quotation and set up the new insurance in good time for the sale.  In many cases we will waive the requirement for a survey which may be helpful for your buyer and so benefit the selling process. 

Yes.  Pantaenius liability insurance covers the policyholder, the owner, the captain, crew and anyone who is on board with the permission of the policyholder or the owner. This also applies to the use of dinghies and the undertaking of water sports, as long as such activities happen in connection with use of the yacht.

The policies are valid for one year, with renewal information being sent to you shortly before the next policy period.

Let us know as soon as possible, via telephone, email or post, when you move house, change your telephone numbers or email address so that we may ensure your details are kept up to date. 

If you would like to change the bank details we have on file for you, please notify us by telephone or email.

If one or more owners leave the group of co-owners, written notification of this, signed by all co-owners involved, must be sent to Pantaenius. The policy will then be updated accordingly. If you have named one person as being primarily responsible for the administration of the policy, the signature of this person alone will suffice.

No. Salvage is a matter for hull insurers, dealt with under a hull policy.

Yes. The liability policy will meet the reasonable wreck removal costs, for which you are legally liable.

Even when in storage in the winter and during transport to the storage location, there are risks of third party damage for which you, as the yacht owner, may be held liable. You will therefore need to keep your liability policy in force, indeed most yards will insist upon it.

In theory yes it is possible, but we do not recommend it.  Just because your yacht is laid up, does not mean that you face no risk of liability to third parties. Most yards will insist upon you having liability insurance in place.

You need to tell us. Different countries have different licencing parameters. Changing your country of domicile and the registered policy address may mean that you need a different pool of insurers.

Yacht liability insurance is cover related to the boat. This insures both the skipper and the crew against third-party liability claims arising from use of the yacht. Skipper liability insurance is cover related to a person. It insures this person against third-party claims during use of a hired or chartered boat if the boat-specific liability insurance does not cover the claim in question or if there is no boat-specific liability insurance in place.

Unplanned departures from the cruising area, in the event of emergency or due to weather routing, remain covered but must be reported as soon as possible. If you need to change your cruising area for a planned change of your cruising patterns, please contact us for a quote.

You need to tell us. The country registration of your yacht is very important in terms of the insurance. Changing your yacht’s flag may result in changes to the insurance tax rates, depending on the relevant country’s specific tax regulations. Also, as different flags have different licencing parameters, changing your yacht’s flag may mean that you need a different pool of insurers.  

No. If you employ paid crew you will need a specific policy to cover your employers’ liability risk. Please contact us if you need a quote for Employers’ Liability.

Contact Pantaenius immediately so we can assist.  Refrain from admissions of liability. Take contact details of the third party and any witnesses.  If possible, take some photographs of the damage.

Pantaenius offer a range of covers for crew, please contact us for a detailed consultation.

Single handed sailing is not excluded as standard under the policy terms and conditions. However, for ocean passages you will need to contact us to discuss your crewing arrangements. Underwriters will need to approve these, for cover to remain in place for your passage.

Yes. This is covered as standard within your Hull and Third Party Liability policies. On occasion certain warranties may be applied to your policy in relation to racing. If this is the case, this will be made clear on your policy schedule.

The Pantaenius Third Party Liability policy is very comprehensive, and yes, it includes cover for watersports. It covers the liabilities of the owner, but also the liabilities of anyone else using the yacht with his permission, or engaged in watersports activities from the yacht. For example, if you are out with some friends and towing one of them on waterskies, your liability to them is insured, but so also is their liability to anyone they may hit in the water.And the good news is, watersports cover is automatically included without additional premium, and includes SCUBA activities, as long as properly supervised and equipped.

Pantaenius carefully selects the insurers to underwrite the Pantaenius Scheme. The risk is usually spread between a number of insurers, with each taking its share of premiums and claims. Each “pool” or group of insurers has a “lead underwriter”, who takes responsibility for the pool. Pantaenius has delegated authority to act on behalf of the insurers in underwriting decisions, administering your policy, and handling your claim. In the unlikely event that we need to refer to the underwriters, we only ever need to consult with the lead. All the insurers backing the Pantaenius Scheme are reputable, financially sound insurers, and in each case the lead underwriter for the pool is a major international company with whom Pantaenius has worked closely for many years.The name of the lead underwriter is always stated on any quotation Pantaenius provides, and also on every policy schedule which is issued.

Almost certainly not. Our underwriters are more concerned with your experience of similar sized yachts, itineraries and sailing conditions, than in formal yachting qualifications.In the unlikely event that someone does not have sufficient experience for the yacht, itinerary or conditions they wish to insure, we try to work with them to resolve this, sometimes asking for a more experienced hand on board until you have built up the necessary expertise – but this is a rare occurrence and usually only applied to new owners with unsufficient previous experience.

Pantaenius does not set out any criteria for crew requirements, and will always consider individual proposals. Depending on the type and size of the yacht, single-handing is not out of the question, if our underwriters are confident you have the ability to handle the yacht on your own.If you are planning any ocean passages our underwriters will need to approve your crewing arrangements before you set out, but they are always looking at the experience of those on board, rather than just numbers, and will always try to accommodate your plans, as long as they are realistic.

No. It is a requirement with some insurers that you keep your yacht in a named marina, but this is a restriction we don’t like to place on our policyholders. If your yacht is laid up, we generally like to know where it is, and what arrangements have been made for its safekeeping in your absence, but when in commission there is flexibility within your cruising area.

Third party marine insurance, also known as Marine Third Party Liability Insurance, is a type of cover designed to protect boat owners from legal and financial liabilities arising from accidents involving their boat. This insurance covers the costs associated with injury to other people, damage to other boats or property, and environmental pollution caused by your boat. It extends to cover liabilities for anyone on board your vessel with your permission, such as guests or unpaid crew. Having third party marine insurance is essential for safeguarding yourself against potentially high compensation claims and is often required by marinas and local authorities.

The principle of liability to third parties means being legally responsible for harm or damage caused to people or property that are not directly connected to you through a contract. In the context of marine insurance, this means that if your boat causes injury to someone else or damages another boat or property, you could be held legally liable. Third party liability insurance helps cover the financial costs associated with these claims, protecting you from potentially substantial expenses and legal actions.

Our third party liability insurance provides comprehensive cover for a variety of risks, including:

Injury to Others: Covers your legal liabilities should you cause injury or even death to another person.

Property Damage: Pays for the repair or replacement of other boats or property damaged by your boat, if legally liable.

Water Pollution: Includes costs associated with accidental pollution caused by your boat.

Wreck Removal Costs: Covers expenses related to the removal of wreckage if legally required.

Liability during Watersports: Extends cover to liabilities arising from watersports activities and scuba diving, provided participants are properly qualified and equipment is in good condition.

Extended Liability: Covers legal liabilities when using a borrowed or chartered yacht.

Our insurance also ensures that liabilities of your guests and unpaid crew members are covered, offering comprehensive protection for all on board.