It’s easy to see why dinghies are such a popular choice for sailors – whether you’re racing around buoys, learning the ropes, or simply enjoying a relaxed sail, nothing beats the freedom of being out on the water.
Dinghy sailing is freedom, fun, and sometimes just a little bit unpredictable. That’s why we offer tailored sailing dinghy insurance to help keep you covered on and off the water.
Why might you need insurance as a dinghy sailor?
Sailing is an unpredictable sport – from sudden changes in weather to collisions on crowded race days. Insurance for dinghies can help to give you peace of mind, knowing you’re protected if your boat is damaged, stolen, or if an incident results in injury or property damage involving others.
Dinghy insurance can offer protection for your boat, sails, trailer, and associated equipment, as well as liability cover if you’re involved in an accident on the water or ashore. Whether you’re at home or abroad, the right insurance means you can focus on enjoying your sailing – not the risks.
What can I get cover for and what does it mean?
Public Liability Insurance
Public liability insurance is designed to help protect you financially if you’re involved in an incident where another person is injured or their property is damaged. This could include a collision with another boat, causing injury to a third party, or damage to a pontoon or marina. With the right policy, you can benefit from legal representation and support to cover court costs and compensation awarded.
Equipment Insurance
Dinghies, sails, trailers, and other sailing gear can be expensive to repair or replace. Whether your equipment is damaged on the water, during transport, or stolen while stored, equipment insurance can help reduce the financial impact if repairs or replacements are needed. We can arrange policies that cover accidental damage, theft (including from locked vehicles or storage), and loss.
Personal Accident Insurance
Accidents happen – even to experienced sailors. If you suffer an injury while sailing, personal accident cover can help with medical expenses, treatment, and costs related to recovery, including transport or repatriation if you’re abroad.
We can arrange policies designed specifically for active sailors, designed to give you access to cover when the unexpected happens.
Travel Insurance
Planning to race or sail abroad? We work with providers such as Jackson Lee Underwriting to offer travel insurance tailored to watersports, including dinghy sailing. This can include cover for lost sailing gear, medical emergencies, travel disruptions, and more.
Get in touch or visit our travel insurance page to find out more and get a quote.
Dinghy insurance FAQ's
What does dinghy insurance typically cover?
SOAK dinghy insurance policies can include:
- Accidental damage to your dinghy, sails, and trailer.
- Theft (including from locked storage or vehicles).
- Third-party liability if you injure someone or damage another boat or property.
- Personal accident cover.
- Optional extras like racing, worldwide protection, and equipment in transit cover .
Can third-party insurance be included on my policy?
Many dinghy insurance policies include third-party liability cover, usually with a minimum of £3,000,000 – the exact level of cover will depend on the insurer.
This cover is designed to protect you if you accidentally injure someone else or damage their property while sailing.
Are my foils insured?
Yes, your foils can be covered under your policy. You will be asked to provide us with accurate values for your boat and equipment which allows us to provide you with cover that caters for these amounts.
Alternatively you can view our dedicated Foiling Insurance page here.
Can I insure more than one boat on my policy?
Many insurers offer multi-boat policies which may allow you to include RIBS, additional dinghies, and other craft on the same schedule. This can help make it easier to manage your cover, and in some cases may reduce your overall premium. However, discounts are not guaranteed, and their availability depends on the insurer.
Am I covered when sailing overseas?
You may be covered when sailing overseas but it’s important to let us know in advance so we can ensure the appropriate cover is in place. Many UK insurers include up to 30 days’ cover in EU waters at any one time.
If you plan to sail further afield, please tell us before you travel so we can explore extending your policy and ensure your travels are appropriately covered. Please note that some exclusions may apply, such as travel to high-risk areas.
What other insurance do I need when racing or sailing abroad?
Some standard policies may exclude activities such as racing, coaching, or high-performance sailing.
You may wish to consider a specialist policy for these activities – find out more on our Soak Travel page.
Can I get cover for my trailer or outboard motor?
Absolutely. We can look to arrange cover for your trailers, launching trolleys, and outboards as part of your dinghy insurance policy. Just let us know what you’d like included on your policy when you apply.
Is my dinghy covered while in storage or being towed?
Many dinghy insurance policies can include protection for while your dinghy is stored at home or in a boat park.
Liability for the dinghy while in transit typically comes under the vehicle insurance for the towing vehicle. Some policies may not cover the trailer itself during transit. For information specific to your circumstances, please review your policy documents or contact us.
Do I need dinghy insurance if I only sail occasionally?
Even occasional sailors may choose to have dinghy insurance, as risks such as collisions, theft, or damage can occur, regardless of how frequently you travel. For further information on policy options, please get in touch.
How can Soak help you with Dinghy insurance?
At Soak, we understand that every sailor and every dinghy is different – which is why we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all cover. Instead, we work with leading UK insurers to arrange dinghy insurance that’s tailored to the way you sail. Whether you’re learning the basics, enjoying weekend trips, or racing competitively, we can help you find a policy designed to cover you, your boat, and your gear.
Most importantly, our team knows dinghy sailing and the risks that come with it. They can provide information on the available options and help understand the options available.
Meet the Soak Insure Team
Founded by insurance professionals with a combined 50 years of industry experience
Simon Tonks
As the Founder of Soak Insure, Simon has spent the last 25 years in the specialist world of marine insurance. Simon has raced dinghies, keelboats and yachts all around the world and sails with his family from Hayling Island Sailing Club.
Henry Coxe
Henry has extensive knowledge of the yachting and wider marine world, gained partially from his engineering experience working on 50m+ superyachts. With a deep technical understanding of the day-to-day operations and requirements of superyachts.
Luis Rusher
With a background in customer service and a passion for sailing, Luis brings valuable skills and sector knowledge to the team. Since joining, he’s shown a keen interest in commercial marine insurance, aiming to provide top-notch service to clients.
Daniel Higham
Dan has experience working across technical projects and client-focused roles, which has given him a strong eye for detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality work. Dan brings a fresh perspective to the team alongside insurance knowledge he has built up through his work with private clients.
Get a Dinghy Insurance Quote
Our Partners
Discover the great companies with which Soak have formed partnerships.
