With Cowes Week underway, boat insurance provider, Towergate Insurance, is reminding participants about the importance of having racing cover.

The insurer found that in the Isle of Wight Round the Island race (30 June), 3 out of 10 claimants did not have racing cover.  This meant that whilst an insurer would pay to repair claimants’ damaged craft, it was unable to meet third-party collision costs, leaving the claimant or the victim to foot the bill.

In order to avoid participants having to pay additional craft or liability costs, Towergate advises;

Check your policy and contact your insurance provider if racing cover isn’t included

Pay attention to safety and equipment and be familiar with your craft’s sailing potential, particularly if crewing on a new boat for the week

If using a crew, check you, or they, have the appropriate liability and personal injury cover in place

Cowes Week is the largest sailing regatta of its kind in the world. It attracts up to 1,000 boats and stages up to 40 races each day.   

Nigel Mills, Managing Director, Towergate Insurance (marine), comments: “Although great care and attention is given to designing courses appropriate for the classes, incidents do occur.  Often, it’s only once a claim is logged that claimants without racing cover realise third-party craft and liability costs are excluded.

“This can result in a huge outlay which could have been avoided with a simple phone call.  Racing cover is inexpensive and easy to add to a policy.”

Last Updated ( Monday, 13 August 2012 )