Optimist Dinghy Insurance

Dinghy insurance for the optimist in you

Illustration of a person sailing a small boat with a single sail marked with the letter
For enquiries, call us:
+44 (0)1732 223 650
For a dinghy insurance quote:

Insure your Optimist dinghy with
Haven Knox-Johnston

Here at Haven KJ, we rock the important role that Optimist dinghies play starting sailors off on a lifelong love of sailing, just like we understand the unique needs of the young sailors and their families who own them!

Optimists are the cornerstone of learning to sail from a young age, not only introducing kids to the essentials of sailing such as wind direction, boat handling and race tactics, but also encouraging massive amounts of fun on the water.  Optimists, or Oppies for those who care about their street cred, are easy to spot by their hull shape, which provides stability and safety for inexperienced sailors, and its simple rig consisting of a single sail. They also boast a competitive racing scene, with numerous regattas and championships at local, national, and international levels.

Our crew are at your side to protect cherished moments on the water. We don’t mind if your kids spend more time hanging off the keel than in their Oppie, our insurance plans are designed to give you peace of mind, so you can focus on what truly matters – helping them developing their sailing skills and enjoying the adventure.

Optimist Dinghy Cover

With an instant quote available in just 5 clicks, you can sit back and enjoy the peace of mind that dinghy insurance from an award winning crew offers, whether you opt for our “All Weather” comprehensive dinghy insurance or our “Base Layer” third party only insurance.

Cover

All Weather Cover

All Weather Boat Insurance 

Base Layer Cover

Base Layer Boat Insurance

For full terms and conditions, please read the policy wording that will accompany your quotation

Your Dinghy
All Weather Insurance
Base Layer Insurance
Accidental Damage, Theft, Fire
Deliberate Damage not caused by you
Liability to Others
All Weather Insurance
Base Layer Insurance
Damage to Other Vessels, and Other Property
Death or Injury
Legal Costs to Defend a Claim, and Fees/Expenses to Attend Official Enquiries
Emergency Medical Expenses
All Weather Insurance
Base Layer Insurance
Injuries suffered by you, a family member, or a guest as a result of an accident on board with your permission
Personal Accident
All Weather Insurance
Base Layer Insurance
Permanent total disability which lasts at least 52 weeks
Permanent loss of sight from one or both eyes
Physical severance or permanent loss of use of the entire arm, hand, leg and/or foot
Death
Racing
All Weather Insurance
Base Layer Insurance
Third Party Liability
Loss or damage to mast, spars, sails and rigging
Loss of race entry fees if unable to participate in an entered race as a result of any loss covered

Optional Marine Legal Protection

We understand that having to claim on your pride and joy can be very stressful and our award winning claims team are here to take the weight off your shoulders.

Before you decide on your level of dinghy insurance cover we want to share this fully bespoke Marine Legal Protection, this cover is optional and covers potential expenses that are not covered in your dinghy insurance policy, whether it is your fault or not.

Take a moment to read up on the benefits of this cover below and to help, we have provided some examples of how the dinghy cover will work for you.

What is the additional cost?

The cost of this cover comes in at approx £0.04p per day – a total of £15.00 plus Insurance Premium Tax.

Uninsured Loss Recovery

Offers cover to pursue losses not covered under your vessel policy against those who have caused you to suffer loss of, for example, your policy excess or other out-of-pocket expenses.

Example:

You’re hit by a third party and damage is caused to your boat. You will be liable to pay your policy excess. If our claims team are unable to make a full recovery your excess will not be returned, as a result you can use the Marine Legal policy to pursue this loss.  

Personal Injury Pursuit

Offers cover to pursue damage claims against a third party whose negligence has resulted in you suffering injury or death.

Example:

You’re hit by a third party and as a result you suffer injury. Our policy will pay based on the Personal Accident section, however this cover is limited, certainly in cases whereby you suffer an injury requiring months or years of treatment. You would be able to use the Marine Legal policy to pursue damages for pain and suffering as well as the costs that you may have to pay for ongoing treatment and rehabilitation.

Prosecution Defence

Offers cover to defend you against legal action brought against you in relation to a criminal offence following your ownership or use of the vessel.

Example:

You’re arrested under suspicion of trafficking drugs into the country by using your boat. So long as there is a 51% or greater prospect of winning, the Marine Legal policy will assist in proving a legal defence for you.

Identity Fraud

Offers cover for legal costs in dealing with companies who have provided credit to a fraudulent third party in your name and are now seeking recovery from you.

Example:

Your identity is stolen and a credit card has been taken out in your name. The credit card is subsequently used up to the limit with no payments made and as a result your credit file is marked with a default. The Marine Legal policy will assist in providing cover for advisors fees to liaise with the credit card company and credit reference agencies to write off the defaulted balance and removing the entry from your credit file.

 

Emergency Expenses - Max. of £2,500 per year

If the vessel is damaged whilst abroad, this section offers cover for expenses incurred by you to travel back to the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man and subsequently return to the vessel once repairs have been completed.

Example:

Your boat is damaged whilst in the Med, 2 months into a 6 month trip. The emergency expense will provide  for you to return to the UK, IOM or CI and subsequently return to the boat in the Med once it has been repaired.

Temporary Replacement Costs

If the vessel is damage through no fault of your own that results in you being unable to use the vessel for a planned trip, this section covers the cost to bareboat charter a comparable vessel to your own.

Example:

You have a 3 week sailing trip planned from the UK to France for your annual holiday. 1 week before the planned trip your boat is damaged in a storm owing to the fact that the mooring provided by the marina was unsuitable and as a result will require months of repairs meaning that you will be unable to go on your planned trip. The Marine Legal policy will provide for the hiring of a similar boat for the trip. There has to be identifiable negligence by a third party, in this case the marina, and you have to be able to provide proof that you had a trip planned.

“We are experts in underwriting, with both technical capability and deep knowledge of the areas we insure.”

– Kayley Prebble, Underwriter (Marine)

I have a yacht & a dinghy insured with HK-J and my details were assessed very promptly and a new insurance arranged for my new Gull dinghy. Helpful, reactive response during call. Very satisfied.”

Mr Wilfred Bishop, find all our reviews here!

Optimist Dinghy Insurance with Haven Knox-Johnston

FAQs

What does Optimist dinghy insurance cover?

Our ‘All Weather’ policy typically covers various risks associated with sailing your dinghy, including accidental damage to the boat, theft, vandalism, personal injury, and third-party liability. It even includes race coverage.

Our ‘Base Layer’ policy covers you in case you’re liable for damage to another person’s property or for injuries, protecting you against potential claims and financial losses. It may also be a requirement for sailing in some inland reservoirs or lakes, or when taking part in races.

For full details, please read our policy documents which can be found here

How quickly can I get insured?

You can receive a quote and get insured in minutes. Our online quote system requires just 4 clicks, and once payment is made, your coverage can start immediately if you are keen to get sailing!

Does the insurance cover my Optimist dinghy for racing?

Yes, our ‘All Weather’ comprehensive insurance plan covers your dinghy for a variety of sailing activities, including competitive racing and leisure sailing, ensuring you’re protected no matter your passion.

Is my gear and equipment covered under the insurance?

Yes, our comprehensive plans include coverage for your dinghy, trailer and the dinghy equipment. Ensure you include these within the total market value of your dinghy.

Does your 'All Weather' policy cover me when I’m transporting my Optimist dinghy by trailer?

Yes, our policies typically cover damage that occurs during transport within the stated cruising area and during storage, ensuring your dinghy is protected on and off the water. We exclude liability during road transit which should rest with your car insurance.

Does my insurance policy cover anyone who sails my Optimist dinghy?

Yes, our policies will cover anyone who uses your dinghy, as long as they have your permission and are not paying for the privilege.

Can I take my Optimist dinghy overseas?

Sure – our dinghy policy covers UK waters plus 30 days in Europe as standard, subject to policy conditions. Give our award-winning customer services team a call to discuss extending your policy if needed.

What do I need to provide to get a quote?

You’ll need to provide some basic information about your dinghy and your sailing activities. No extensive paperwork required.

What should I do if I need to make a claim?

Contact our claims team immediately after an incident via phone or email and we’ll guide you through the steps to submit your claim. You can also download a claim form from our website.

Can I cancel my dinghy insurance policy if I sell my Optimist dinghy?

Yes, you can cancel your policy if you sell your dinghy. We typically offer a pro-rata refund for the unused portion of your premium, subject to our policy terms and conditions.

Want to learn more about our boat insurance policies?