Travel insurance

[longjohnsilver]

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but a search brings up so much non related threads.

As long term live aboards, what travel insurance policy do you have and what's best on the market for someone based on their boat for say 5-6 months at a time?

 

[Cloven]

We use sportscover direct as many other travel policies specifically exclude sailing

https://www.sportscoverdirect.com

 

[PhilipH]

Topsail Insurance. If you are a member of OCC you also get a discount. Also do good boat insurance

 

[NornaBiron]

We use sportscover direct as many other travel policies specifically exclude sailing

https://www.sportscoverdirect.com

They have 90 day trip limit so not much good if you liveaboard.

 

[GrahamM376]

We used Insureandgo long stay for several years until I reached 67 when the premium rocketed. Covered coastal sailing and scuba to 30m as standard, offshore cover being added for specific period when needed at extra cost. Included medical evacuation but not search and rescue. Cost for the two of us for 9 months was <£200. Now rely on EHIC which works well here.

 

[Chris_Robb]

They have 90 day trip limit so not much good if you liveaboard.

You will find that pretty well all the standard policies have a 90 day for anyone trip limit if you are under 65. If you are over 65 beware, the standard max is 30 days only extendable for a hefty increase to 60 days and some 90 days.

We had to find alternatives this year and ended up on 90 days with AVIVA.

None of these standard contracts cover over 12 miles off shore, so anything that goes wrong on passage is down to you. Also READ the policy - some even exclude yachting without a skipper!

If you want 6 months or more then Topsail is amongst your choices.

In Europe the EHIC card does pretty well, and if you are in Greece the EHIC does superbly as the UK government settle the bill - so you jump any queues as they make money out of you!!

 

[Chris_Robb]

We used Insureandgo long stay for several years until I reached 67 when the premium rocketed. Covered coastal sailing and scuba to 30m as standard, offshore cover being added for specific period when needed at extra cost. Included medical evacuation but not search and rescue. Cost for the two of us for 9 months was <£200. Now rely on EHIC which works well here.

Insure and go - They wanted a fortune for 60 days at any one trip, and would not entertain 90 under any circumstances - once you are 66. But as you point out there is the option of extended stay - but you cannot go home between the 2 dates you have to give when taking out the policy. No good for me as we will go ou at least twice.

 

[phanakapan]

Topsail. We have 'yachtsmans gold' cover. Got an initial reduction as we have boat insurance with them too. Very good

 

[michael_w]

Another vote for Topsail.

 

[Max K]

Staysure are good

Max.

 

[Forty_Two]

Another vote for Topsail, easy to deal with.

A point to watch on most normal policies, is that they often don't cover you if you are spending the whole time on your boat, let alone more than 60/90 days. Wording often includes - Sailing where it is not the sole purpose of the trip. Always ask if cover includes only spending time on your boat.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Thanks folks, all very useful information.

 

[Chief Charlie]

Options including hospital/evacuation are available through Bishop Skinner, even for those over 67 years.

 

[vyv_cox]

I was at a presentation by Topsail yesterday. They are very flexible and will provide exactly the cover that you want. No prices quoted though but we think we may enquire. Statement was made that they will cover up to 80 years old and I suspect this too could be extended.

 

[ean_p]

Beware if your provider (like Insureandgo and others) uses a company called Mapfre to administer / underwrite medical claims ! You can only tell the real quality of a service when you use it!