Onshore Boat Storage
In choosing insurance for your boat, the type of storage you opt for is important. Keeping your boat secure and safe can be done in many different locations. The more secure, of course, the better. This is especially important if it is only practical for you to access your boat at weekends or when on holiday. Knowing that your boat is stored securely will give you peace of mind, and the last thing you want when you’re looking forward to a weekend of boating is to find that your boat has been damaged or stolen.
Depending on the type of storage you choose, your premiums will vary. Generally, the safer the location the lower the premium. It is worth spending a little time on this calculation as the cost of a more secure storage location may be at least partially offset by the saving on your insurance.
The options are many depending your situation and the type of boat you have. This guide looks at available storage locations and is designed to help you choose the right option for you and your boat.
At Home
If you own a smaller boat and either live close to the location where you use your boat, or you cruise at different locations around the country, then storing your boat at home is often convenient. This can be in a drive, a garage or other out-building or in a garden. Things like locked gates, security gates and tether posts will help protect your boat from theft or from damage and may attract a lower premium. Storing your boat so it is not visible from the road also helps keep it safe.
Smaller boats which are frequently taken in and out of the water are often left trailered at home. If you are leaving your boat trailered consider storing it ‘nose in’. You can also use tether posts, wheel locks, a hitch lock and a boat alarm for extra security.
Inland Waterway Marinas and Boatyards
Inland waterway marinas and boatyards can also provide secure dry stacking or locked buildings or compounds to store a smaller boat. This is not usually done every time a boat is taken out but is often used to store boats over winter. For boats that are easily trailered, the best practical option can be to use home or local storage over winter and a berth in a marina for the summer. Narrow boats, barges and larger boats cannot practically be taken in and out of the water regularly. For these craft a bankside or marina water mooring is the only option.
Coastal Marinas, Harbours and Estuaries
The boat storage options here are mostly the same as inland but with a couple of important differences. Coastal marinas tend to have more space in and out of the water and more facilities for moving boats and yachts on and off shore. Moorings on the water can be swing moorings, jetty moorings or pontoon moorings.
Harbours and Estuaries will also have running moorings and also often provide all types of mooring to the public. Here too the hoists and boat movers to regularly take your boat ashore are available. Be aware that you will probably have to pay for this each time your craft is moved. You will also need to show proof of insurance in order to secure a berth in a harbour or estuary. As we say at the top of this guide though, the extra security of having your boat stored out of the water, especially over winter, may be offset against lower premiums.
Local Storage Yards
Storage for your boat can be found in many locations. From farmers hiring out space in a barn, commercial estates and premises, to official, secure boatyards. Caravan sites also sometimes have space for boat storage. Check if this is in a locked compound. It is a good idea to look for a storage site approved by the Caravan Storage Site Owners Association (CaSSOA). The CaSSOA will rate a site gold, silver or bronze depending on the level of security and so is reassuring for you and useful for your insurer.
If you do go for another option like the farmer’s barn, which can be convenient and economical, be aware that you will need to describe this accurately to your insurer for them to assess the security of your boat.
A local boat club may have space and often have locked compounds or buildings. Membership of a boat club may qualify you for a discount on your boat insurance and provide other benefits such as useful local information: Boaters love to share their knowledge and enthusiasm about boating.
Talk to Us About Boat Insurance
Remember that you can always talk to someone at Assist who will guide you through the choices of boat storage and if or how they will affect your boat insurance premium.
We hope you have found this guide useful and informative. If you have any questions about boat insurance or you’d like a quote, then give our experienced insurance advisers a call on 01604 946779.
This is a marketing article from Assist Insurance Services, a UK based family run business with more than 41,000 leisure policyholders. Each of our policies provide comprehensive cover as standard, with plenty of optional extras to choose from. For more information about our insurance services, please call one of our boat insurance specialists on 01604 946 779. Alternatively choose your product of interest below to find out more:
- Narrowboat Insurance
- Barge Insurance
- Livaboard Insurance
- Inland Waterways Insurance
- Widebeam Insurance
- Motor Cruiser Boat Insurance
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