Lithium Positive and Negative Insurers

[lustyd]

Which begs the question of what you need to demonstrate to get liability insurance as a marine electrician, which seems the main requirement here.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Which begs the question of what you need to demonstrate to get liability insurance as a marine electrician, which seems the main requirement here.

Your cheque book

 

[thinwater]

There is a difference between "professional" and "qualified". In your domestic example above the person is likely to be both. It is possible to be a professional without being qualified. What qualifications does a professional sports person have, for instance ? What qualifications can a professional "marine electrician have ?

In the US they insurers lean into ABYC certification (right or wrong). Obviously, dry-land certification would not mean anything in this case.

I have not noticed the same extent of lithium paranoia in the US. Shhh ....

 

[billskip]

In the US they insurers lean into ABYC certification (right or wrong). Obviously, dry-land certification would not mean anything in this case.

I have not noticed the same extent of lithium paranoia in the US. Shhh ....

This isUS l think...

 

[wonkywinch]

I misread the thread title and thought you had to insure each terminal of the battery separately

 

[Lewis_56]

Can you imagine excluding fire from your policy, and then burning down your own boat and your 3 neighbours. Could be a big personal bill.

Pantaenius has excluded fire originating onboard for the past 2 years from my policy. Doesn't affect third party liability.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Pantaenius has excluded fire originating onboard for the past 2 years from my policy. Doesn't affect third party liability.

Do you have Lithium batteries ? If so, who fitted them ?

 

[Lewis_56]

[


Have you though, what have the insurance company got to go on except your word (a rhetorical question)? From an insurance company perspective, they only have "professional installation" as an objective to minimise risk to them.

Electrical engineering is mainly maths.

My boat is in Greece, i wouldn't let 90% of the professionals touch anything on my boat.

But yes, obviously insurance companies need to manage risk. I would happily pay more or pay an excess for a lithium phophate clause, as i prefer to do everything myself.

 

[Lewis_56]

Do you have Lithium batteries ? If so, who fitted them ?

Yes, 2x 200ah, 3000w inverter etc. the boat is fully off grid for 9 months a year when i liveaboard.

I fitted them 4 years ago.

 

[Lewis_56]

Noble Insurance is NOT DIY friendly.



Dear Lewis,

Thank you for your email, regrettably if the batteries are installed by yourself, we wouldn’t be able to offer insurance cover, sorry.

Please let us know if you require anything further.

Kind regards Nickie Morgan Customer Service Executive Noble Insurance Services

Hi,

Can you explain the policy for DIY installed lithium phosphate batteries, please.

15. Lithium Batteries
It is a condition that any lithium batteries are: professionally fitted or fitted strictly in accordance with the manufacturer’s specification and/or requirements; and, that use, storage, charging and maintenance of lithium batteries is carried out in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations with full records kept; and, any repairs, modifications or alterations to any Lithium Battery or its charging equipment shall only be performed by the original manufacturer or an authorised or approved repairer on behalf of the manufacturer; and, the charging of any Lithium Battery shall only be performed using charging equipment supplied or approved by the manufacturer.

 

[Lewis_56]

GJW claimed they DIY are friendly. The clause "manufacturers recommendations" could be considered vague. Other than the fire extinguisher issue.

Hi Lewis

Thank you for your email.

The following condition applies to our policy with regard to Lithium Batteries.

Any lithium batteries on board (main vessel or toys) must be stored and used in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations (portable toys/devices must not be left unattended whilst charging) In addition, there must be a fully operational lithium specific handheld fire extinguisher on board.

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards
Debbie

On 8 March 2026 at 08:40:34 UTC, Lewis

Hi,

What is your policy for DIY installed Lithium Phosphate battery set ups?

Thank You

 

[Lewis_56]

Craftinsure also claimed they are DIY friendly.

Dear Lewis,

Many thanks for your enquiry and interest in Craftinsure.

We are pleased to confirm that Lithium batteries are fine, as long as they are used and stored in line with manufactures recommendations.

Kind regards,

Natasha

 

[PaulRainbow]

Yes, 2x 200ah, 3000w inverter etc. the boat is fully off grid for 9 months a year when i liveaboard.

I fitted them 4 years ago.

That's why the fire exclusion is there, Pantaenius won't insure DIY installs, they are fine with pro' installs.

Personally, i would not have a policy that has a blanket exclusion for fire.

 

[thinwater]

View attachment 207502
This isUS l think...

And it is internet fiction, as it applies to yachts. It is an AI generated channel that spreads misinformation and disinformation to generate clicks and stir things up. Not worth a click.

There is a crackdown on commercial boats and ships regarding:

• Non-LiFePO4 lithium battery cargoes. Cars and containers have caught on fire. Big news. Not yachts and not LiFePO4.
• Charging non-LiFePO4 batteries, including power tools and cell phones. A bad fire on a dive boat caused by charging cell phones and portable devices right by the only exit from the cabins. Nearly everyone died. But it is a cell phone charging issue and only commercial (but do be careful with all device chargers and don't leave them on).
• Installed non-lithium batteries. There have been some problems with non-LiFePO4 battery installations.

But Marine Ledger is a nonsense AI channel. Avoid it. This is rather obvious at a glance. Just look at the stupid titles, each more far-fetched and laughable than the last.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query="the+marine+ledger"

 

[st599]

Electrical engineering is mainly maths.

My boat is in Greece, i wouldn't let 90% of the professionals touch anything on my boat.

But yes, obviously insurance companies need to manage risk. I would happily pay more or pay an excess for a lithium phophate clause, as i prefer to do everything myself.

Maths and a liability insurance policy for when you get the maths wrong. I think it's the second that the insurance company are interested in.

Although it's more than maths, it's understanding what maths to apply when and what additional de-risking is required. It would be significantly easier if a standard or recommended practice could be created but at present we have an IET guidebook with no specifics on LiFePO4 batteries and an MCA requirement for pleasure craft used for non-leisure purposes which goes well beyond what many yachts have (or even could have) installed.

 

[thinwater]

Maths and a liability insurance policy for when you get the maths wrong. I think it's the second that the insurance company are interested in.

Although it's more than maths, it's understanding what maths to apply when and what additional de-risking is required. It would be significantly easier if a standard or recommended practice could be created but at present we have an IET guidebook with no specifics on LiFePO4 batteries and an MCA requirement for pleasure craft used for non-leisure purposes which goes well beyond what many yachts have (or even could have) installed.

ABYC E-13 is the voluntary standard in the US, but it has become the defacto standard. I believe it is accepted world-wide. Yes, you have to pay $$$ for a copy.

The USCG publishes the mandatory standards, but insurance companies lean into ABYC for everything. That is not to say that boats must be upgraded to ABYC, just that new work can be questioned if it does not comply. But it's not a law and the policies do not state that ABYC is their basis. So yes, not crystal clear. If it meets ABYC you are safe. If it meets USCG you are legal, and the USCG has not published a standard for lithium, only some warning notices that are somewhat vague.

ABYC Publishes Updated Standards for Boat Building and Repair - The American Boat & Yacht Council