Everyone goes to Azores with Insurance or 3rd party insurance?

[adri_cubs]

Hi all!

Looking at the requirements to enter Azores it is clear that having boat insurance is a requirement to enter Azores:
https://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Azores?rc=Formalities

Which makes sense because you are gonna enter a marina no matter what and they have the right to ask for it. The problem is that most policies are for Europe only and do not include Azores. Specially if you have an oldish not too big boat. So 3 questions to you people :

1 - How so many people do this passage in small boats etc?

2 - If a boat crosses all the way and its insurance does not cover Azores what do officials do? Surely they won't tell you that you cannot stay, get provisions etc.

3 - If you have done it, did you do it with insurance, and did they checked that you were covered?

Thanks in advance and have a nice day!

:encouragement:

 

[Pye_End]

Mine gave me 3rd party whilst on passage there and back, but fully comp when in port and round the islands. Possibly single handed might make it harder to get fully comp for the whole trip?

 

[adri_cubs]

Mine gave me 3rd party whilst on passage there and back, but fully comp when in port and round the islands. Possibly single handed might make it harder to get fully comp for the whole trip?

It wouldn't be single handed, that is good to know

 

[Alan S]

Every marina in Azores asked for and photocopied (but apparently did not read) my passport, ssr registration and insurance certificate. My insurance was third party only and covered Europe but not Azores but seemed to satisfy them.
Worst case scenario, I don't think they'd refuse you refuge but you might have to go to a local insurance agent.

 

[langstonelayabout]

Every marina in Azores asked for and photocopied (but apparently did not read) my passport, ssr registration and insurance certificate. My insurance was third party only and covered Europe but not Azores but seemed to satisfy them.
Worst case scenario, I don't think they'd refuse you refuge but you might have to go to a local insurance agent.

But surely the Azores, as they are owned by Portugal, are Europe?

 

[[3889]]

But surely the Azores, as they are owned by Portugal, are Europe?

But insurers can choose to cover whatever area they wish. Many policies cover Europe only between Elbe and Brest.

 

[macd]

But surely the Azores, as they are owned by Portugal, are Europe?

As Quiddle wrote: insurer's define the area covered, as they see fit. Doubt they'd include Martinique or French Polynesia, either, except perhaps for passages of < 24hrs

 

[lonederanger]

I Sailed from Carib to Azores two years ago. I only have 3rd party as i was single handed my insurance covered the areas that i was sailing in, however my insurance document had run out and although still insured i had no up to date insurance document to show them, they were fine with the old one and it was not a problem.If they ask for three bits of paper its best to give them 3 bits of paper that keeps them happy. Insurance was Pants by the way.

 

[Graham376]

But surely the Azores, as they are owned by Portugal, are Europe?

Azores are Portugal and 3rd party mandatory in Portuguese waters so assume Azores are the same. Four things PM ask for - passport, registration, insurance and light dues.

 

[Neil_Y]

But surely the Azores, as they are owned by Portugal, are Europe?

Very definitely not, I'd thought I was covered once I'd arrived at the Azores (was covered third party ocean crossing) so I didn't notify insurers of my safe arrival in Spain. I told them I'd arrived safe in Azores with no damage. So when I had a claim in Northern Spain it was declined as I hadn't told them of my safe arrival in Europe.

Offshore islands are not part of Europe. Not sure of the distance but Azores definitely not. So worth reading the small print which was there when I checked off lying islands not included in European sailing region. Biscay was covered as part of Europe.

 

[Praxinoscope]

When two of us sailed our Invicta 26 to the Azores our insurance extended our comprehensive cover for the princely sum of £50, but did insist on a survey beforehand.
The Azores may be under Portugese governance but in Europe they certainly aren’t.

 

[davidej]

But insurers can choose to cover whatever area they wish. Many policies cover Europe only between Elbe and Brest.

Quite so - and I think most yachtsman (like us) ask their insurers to extend their cover when they intend to sail beyond these limits.

 

[Graham376]

Offshore islands are not part of Europe.

My policy used to say Atlantic up to 200 miles offshore plus Atlantic islands, until I had the islands crossed off. No-one actually needs insurance to sail in international waters but the OP's question 2 was about entering Azores without insurance and he would most likely have problems under Azores/Portuguese law.

 

[adri_cubs]

Thanks for all the answers, it is pretty clear now, I will see what my insurer says about extending it