A couple sits relaxed on a sailboat sailing on calm, turquoise waters while the sky is clear and sunny.

The optimum protection for your boat Boat insurance

All-risk: carefree sailing
Assistance: protection against towing costs
Claims processing: professional & straightforward
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Key points at a glance
  • Protection for all boat types: Boat insurance offers coverage for motor boats, sail boats, or yachts.
  • As much protection as you need: Depending on your needs, you can choose between all-risk or accidental damage coverage without collision.
  • Additional coverage: With the supplementary insurance for roadside assistance, machinery, accident, and boat legal protection insurance, you are equipped against all eventualities.
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Your boat insurance with AXA

You have fulfilled your dream of owning your own boat, but are you still looking for the right insurance? AXA is your reliable guide: we offer you the best insurance cover with solutions flexibly customized to your needs.

Choose liability insurance and accidental damage insurance (without collision or all-risk) and also take out machinery insurance as protection against damage to the engine or electrics and assistance insurance to cover towing costs if you break down. Use our overview to quickly and easily find the right watercraft insurance for you.

Comparison of boat insurances: All Risk covers more damage than partial hull, including natural hazards, fire, theft and more.

Liability insurance, all-risk and partial accidental damage (without collision)

Still not sure what type of insurance is right for your motorboat, sailboat or yacht? Then take a detailed look at the boat insurance options and find the best insurance cover for you.

Liability insurance

Liability insurance is mandatory for the following boats:

  • Boats powered by an engine
  • Sailboats with a sail area exceeding 15 m²
  • Rental boats in general

It covers damage you may cause with your boat to another person, such as a water skier, wakeboarder, or another boat. It pays for damage to property and accidents involving animals.

All-risk – for carefree sailing trips

With AXA all-risk, you’re covered against anything that isn’t explicitly excluded. For example,  you’re also insured if, in the rush ahead of a gathering storm, you forget to heave up the anchor and its steel chain becomes snagged as a result . Or if your binoculars accidentally fall onto your beloved wooden table and leave a deep groove in the wood. You don’t have to worry with AXA all-risk, as you benefit from all-round protection against the following financial risks:

  • Collision
  • All events under partial accidental damage insurance (without collision)
  • Any other damage and losses that are not excluded

Partial accidental damage insurance (without collision)

With partial accidental damage insurance, your boat is insured for the following types of loss or damage, among others:

  • Theft
  • Natural hazards or natural hazards ‘Plus’ (storm damage while berthing in the water is insured in addition to   natural hazards cover)
  • Fire
  • Snowslide
  • Malicious damage (vandalism damage up to CHF 10,000)
  • Loose accessories 
  • Flying objects
  • Damage due to seaweed, nets, ropes or lines up to CHF 5,000; deductible: CHF 500
  • Recovery and transportation to the nearest dock, up to CHF 100,000

All-round protection

Regardless of whether you break down in the water, whether you accidentally engage reverse gear while at full speed or whether you have an accident while using your boat - with AXA, you can also be optimally insured against such risks.

Breakdown assistance

Broken down on the lake? No problem with our supplementary assistance module. If your boat has broken down and is unable to return to harbor or a repair boatyard unaided,   AXA covers the cost of recovery by the water police, rescue service or boatyard. 

Simply upload the bill with the online claim notification or send by email. 

Machinery insurance

You can supplement your all risks cover by adding machinery insurance. This module covers loss or damage due to  external effects and internal causes such as:

  • Improper use, carelessness, negligence
  • Insufficient water, oil, fuel, or other operating agents
  • Failure of systems used for measuring, control or safety

Accident insurance

Accident insurance protects you against the financial  consequences arising from accidents relating to the use of your boat as well as due to sunstroke, heatstroke, hypothermia, freezing, drowning, etc. You are free to choose the sum insured. The insurance can include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Daily benefits/daily hospital benefits
  • Disability and death lump sum
  • Rescue missions, recoveries, transportation of body in case of death, up to CHF 100,000 per accident
  • Cleaning or replacing damaged clothing, up to CHF 2,000 per person

Marine legal protection insurance

Legal protection insurance covers the financial costs necessary to defend and enforce your legal interests, for example:

  • If you face revocation of your license
  • Damages and satisfaction
  • In matters relating to tax and contract law in connection with the boat

The sum insured is limited to CHF 300,000 in European inland waters. You are insured for a maximum of CHF 150,000 on sea voyages.

You pay no deductible for lawyer fees if legal advice is provided by a lawyer recommended by AXA.

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Examples of boat damage

A smiling woman with flowing red hair stands on board a sailboat, holding a rope and gazing out to the sunny sea.

Binoculars leave marks

Sabrina likes action and sails close to the wind. When the boat lists heavily, the binoculars fall from the side shelf onto the precious wooden table and leave a deep groove in the wood.

  1. Cost breakdown with all-risk
  2. Repair costs to table CHF 1,600
  3. Sabrina’s deductible CHF 500
  4. AXA benefits CHF 1,100
A white motor yacht is anchored in the dark sea. A storm is brewing in the background.

Damage when heaving up the anchor

Peter’s boat is anchored in a bay when a storm is suddenly forecast. The boat begins to rock due to the increasing wind and strong swell. He hurries so that he can try and reach the next harbor as quickly as possible. When heaving up the anchor, the bow is damaged by the swaying anchor before it can be securely stowed.

  1. Cost breakdown with all-risk
  2. Repair costs to the bow CHF 4,800
  3. Peter's deductible CHF 500
  4. AXA benefits CHF 4,300
A young man in a red shirt sits contentedly on the roof of his motor yacht, looking out to the sea.

Collision with a tree trunk

Beni bought himself a motorboat a year ago. When sailing on Lake Zurich, he collides with a tree trunk that’s drifting just below the surface of the water. The collision rips a large hole in the boat’s hull and the boat sinks within minutes. Beni is lucky as he’s rescued from the water by a passing fisherman. After the boat has been recovered, it is deemed to be a write-off.

  1. Cost breakdown with all-risk
  2. Recovery and transport to the nearest boatyard (with insured accidental damage event up to 100,000). CHF 48,500
  3. Total cost of damage (purchase price) CHF 40,000
  4. Collision – deductible CHF 1,000
  5. AXA benefits CHF 87,500

Tips from our expert

How often do sailboats capsize? What should you do if there's a sudden storm at sea? Our expert gives you tips on boat insurance.

How should I insure my boat?

That depends on what type of vessel you have. With or without a motor? Sailboat or motorboat? Liability insurance is mandatory for motorized boats as well as for sailboats larger than 15 sqm. The question then arises as to whether additional insurance coverage such as partial accidental damage insurance or comprehensive cover such as all-risk boat insurance makes sense. AXA offers attractive and varied solutions for all conceivable watercraft and requirements. As a rule of thumb: It doesn't pay to skimp on boat insurance.

What's the most common type of damage to boats?

The most obvious damage involves collisions, sail tears or storm damage, either while sailing or at port. There will always be storms, the only question is when. This is because the weather has changed dramatically over recent years. Today we're seeing extreme weather situations more frequently. Even hail damage is becoming more frequent, so it's advisable to at least take out partial accidental damage

The other extreme is drought. If water levels are too low, there's more chance of running aground and that can quickly become expensive. I'm also keep suffering from fire damage.

Are there any other sources of danger for boats?

Of course there's snow and hail. And we have certainly had a lot of that in recent years. When there is a rapid heavy snowfall, the load which can weigh tons puts pressure on the tarpaulin (cover) and railings. And if the snow is wet, the load from above becomes extreme. Anyone storing their boat indoors for the winter fares better. I always quickly check my boat after every snowfall and storm. In particular I check whether the railing is frozen or has slipped. Boat damage can also occur when it rains. There's a duty of care for such claims.

How dangerous are summer storms and bad weather for boats?

In port, storms and bad weather are very dangerous due to the movement. If boats aren't fendered and moored correctly in port, they slam against each other sideways, or the bow hits the dock or shore. The external forces are enormous, as are the consequences. You should therefore always check the material regularly and replace where necessary. Are the ropes still good or was the buoy checked? If damage was predictable due to poor or weathered material, this can also become expensive for the owner.

How are dangers on open waters classified?

Storms on open waters are not as bad as in port. If a storm occurs, it can be "weathered" at sea. This means that strategic measures can be taken to avoid damage to the boat and of course to protect the crew. I've also experienced that a couple of times myself.

How often do sailboats capsize?

Total losses are rather rare. If a sailboat capsizes, all-risk insurance is beneficial. If there's partial accidental damage, every claim is considered and assessed individually.

Does the insurance company pay if I can't continue sailing due to a breakdown?

Yes, if you have appropriate insurance cover. The new "Breakdown assistance" supplementary module covers everything up to CHF 2,000. In other words: you're protected against the financial consequences of the recovery. If  the motor doesn't start when you're on the water, you can simply contact the sea rescue or water police and they'll bring you safely to land. In Swiss waters, however, some older boats are used, so Assistance supplementary insurance makes sense.

Does a sailboat require special insurance?

No. It's best to keep it simple, so we don't distinguish between motorboats and sailboats. Regardless of whether mast, motor, equipment or sail: what counts is the overall value of the boat. The insurance is calculated on this basis.

Is AXA boat insurance only valid in Swiss waters?

No. If the boat can be transported, you can also sail in foreign waters or on the sea. The insurance essentially covers all European inland waters and connecting harbors. You can also sail in European coastal waters in sight of coast and within six nautical miles of the coast.

High seas in Zone B are also insured, provided that the boat's construction and equipment as well as the operator’s license meet the requirements of the Swiss Maritime Authority. Zone B covers the Mediterranean, including all straits and connecting inland seas plus Atlantic waters within predefined connecting lines.

And if anyone is planning a round-the-world trip?

AXA covers everything, even in international waters. All boats are insured worldwide on high seas (Zone C). Even boats that have been bought and launched abroad, provided they sail under a Swiss flag. For everything that sails with a foreign flag, AXA offers comprehensive protection via our international marine partner Lloyd's of London.

What insurance is needed if a boat is hired?

Liability insurance is always required when hiring a boat. Supplementary insurance - use of car-sharing and rental vehicles - also applies. Third-party insurance (use of private third-party vehicles) alone would be insufficient for a rented boat.

Frequently asked questions about boat insurance

When do I need liability insurance for my boat?

You must always have liability insurance for the following boats:

  • Boats powered by an engine
  • Sailboats with a sail area exceeding 15 m²
  • Rental boats in general
What does all-risk mean and what is the benefit of all-risk insurance?

All-risk means that all risks are insured unless they are explicitly excluded. With traditional insurance options, the scope of insurance is defined in a list of risks; exclusions can also be listed. This can sometimes lead to uncertainty for the policyholder about what is actually insured and what is not.  With all-risk however, you always know what is insured – precisely anything that isn’t excluded.

Where is boat insurance or watercraft insurance valid?
Boat insurance is essentially valid as follows:
  • European inland waters including rivers, canals and their connecting harbors
  • On land in Europe (exception: : Russian Federation, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan)
  • European coastal waters (in sight of coast and within six nautical miles of the coast)

High seas Zone B: Provided that the construction and equipment of the boat as well as the operator’s license meet the requirements of the Swiss Maritime Authority, the insurance is valid – in addition to its validity on the inland waters of Western Europe – on the high seas of Western Europe, i.e.

  • in the waters of the Baltic Sea;
  • in the Kattegat;
  • in the Skagerrak;
  • in the North Sea;
  • in the English Channel;
  •  in the Irish Sea;
  • in the waters connecting to the Atlantic Ocean within 60° north, including Bergen, 20° west, and 25° north;
  • in the Mediterranean Sea including the straits and connecting inland seas. 

High seas Zone C: Provided that the construction and equipment of the boat as well as the operator’s license meet the requirements of the Swiss Maritime Authority, the insurance is valid worldwide.

A man in a workshop covers a large wooden boat with a transparent plastic sheet to protect it from dust and dirt.

6 key steps to winterize your boat

Correct preparation for winter storage is essential, otherwise you could be in for a nasty surprise at the start of the next boating season.

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