Call us for a boat or marine trade insurance quote on 03333 609 886
Cruise the inland waterways with peace of mind
Whether your narrowboat is a permanent home, a continuous cruiser or a weekend escape, our narrowboat insurance covers the boat and the gear on board. It also covers your liability to other people on the water, with personal accident cover and third-party liability included.
When you call Stoneways Marine, you speak to a member of our underwriting team in Poole, not an automated system. We’ll ask how you use your boat, where you moor, how far you cruise and whether you live aboard. The information you provide helps us build the cover that suits you.
Call 03333 609 886 to get started.
What Our Narrowboat Insurance Covers
A Stoneways narrowboat policy is built from the following:
- Accidental loss or damage – collision, stranding and grounding, fire and explosion, theft and vandalism.
- Third-party liability – sums that you, or anyone using your boat with your permission, are legally liable to pay.
- Personal accident – cover if you or someone on board is injured in an accident involving your boat.
- Contents and personal effects – your boat’s gear and equipment, plus personal possessions kept on board.
Our policies don’t pay for wear and tear, gradual deterioration or putting right poor maintenance.
Your policy wording lists every exclusion, and we’ll talk you through it before you buy.
The Insurance You Need for a Canal or River Licence
Boat insurance isn’t required by law like car insurance is. However, you can’t license a boat on Canal & River Trust waters without it, which makes canal boat insurance essential for most owners. The Trust asks for at least £2 million of third-party liability cover and a current Boat Safety Scheme certificate, which lasts up to four years.
You’ll also need a home mooring or a declaration that you’ll cruise continuously.
Other navigation authorities set their own terms. The Avon Navigation Trust, for example, recommends at least £3 million of third-party cover including salvage costs. Check the rules for every waterway you plan to use, and tell us if you’re heading beyond the canal network.
Insurance for Liveaboards and Continuous Cruisers
If your boat is your home, tell us when you ask for a quote. Living aboard changes how much you keep on board, so we’ll set your contents cover to match exactly what you own. Continuous cruisers are welcome too, but cruising patterns can affect the premium.
Barges and Older Boats
We insure barges as well as traditional narrowboats. Older and higher-value boats may need a survey before we can offer cover. If you’re buying, ask us before you book one, and we’ll tell you what it needs to cover.
Why Boaters Choose Stoneways Marine
Our underwriting team in Poole are boaters themselves. They would rather explain what your policy means over the phone than leave you to figure out the wording alone.
If you ever need to claim, our claims guidance sets out each step. You can also put names to faces on our Meet the Team page. At Stoneways, we pride ourselves on offering a unique, personal service, so if there is anything you’re unsure of, feel free to get in touch.
It was a breath of fresh air
“We decided to try a local insurance provider after poor experiences with a faceless large insurer. It was a breath of fresh air to speak with an individual who understood the policy, could explain the implications and provide guidance.
Very pleased to have found and become a customer of Stoneways.”
Mike Alexander
Narrowboat Insurance FAQs
How much does narrowboat insurance cost?
It’s difficult to give an exact figure without knowing your boat, but you can expect to pay from £250 a year. Your premium depends on the boat’s value, age and use, along with the factors in the next answer. Request a narrowboat insurance quote to find out what you’ll pay.
What affects the price of narrowboat insurance?
- Age and value – older and higher-value boats can cost more to insure.
- Cruising pattern – continuous cruising can carry a higher premium because the boat is exposed to more risk.
- Security – alarms and secure moorings could earn a discount.
- Claims history – a clean record and an existing no-claims discount can lower your premium.
What do I need to get a narrowboat insurance quote?
- Your personal details.
- The make, model, length, year of build and current market value of your boat.
- A marine survey, if your boat is older or high-value.
- Full details of any previous insurance claims.
Do I need a survey to insure my narrowboat?
Older and higher-value boats may need a survey. If yours does, our team will tell you what the survey has to cover before you book it.