A blown engine on your boat could be covered under your standard boat insurance, but only if specific approved criteria are met. The way the engine has blown is essential, as only an engine blown by an external, accidental event, such as a fire or explosion, will likely be covered.
An engine that has blown because of ordinary wear and tear, lack of maintenance or neglectful care will not generally be covered by a boat insurance policy. An engine that has been impacted by deterioration, overheating or pure mechanical breakdown is also unlikely to be covered.
Does insurance cover the cost of a blown boat engine?
The main purpose of boat insurance is to help the boat owner safeguard their vessel and reduce the impact of financial losses that can occur due to boat damage or boat loss.
In fact, one of the most common issues that can affect a boat is a blown engine. This often means that the boat is out of use and has to be repaired or replaced. A repaired or replaced engine could cost a significant amount of money, so understanding what is covered in your policy is paramount.
Boat insurance: what is covered?
Every individual boat insurance plan will cover slightly different aspects and will probably be worded in varying ways. However, the following areas are typically covered under a standard boat insurance policy:
- Loss or damage due to external accidental means
If your boat has been lost or damaged due to a theft, adverse weather event, sinking, collision, fire or explosion, then it is likely your boat insurance could cover the compensation in these cases.
- Malicious acts of vandalism
A boat that has been damaged due to a malicious act of vandalism would be covered under many boat insurance policies.
Additional boat insurance benefits
With an established and experienced insurance provider, like GasanMamo, you may also find a range of additional benefits to support your vessel, including:
- Sighting costs: The cost of inspecting the underwater part of the hull of the insured vessel after stranding up to a certain limit.
- Fire extinguishing appliances and safety flares: The cost of replenishing firefighting appliances and safety flares following a fire on board the vessel up to a limit.
- Emergency or salvage charges: Charges necessarily incurred in the safeguarding or recovery of the vessel.
- Legal costs: Costs incurred with insurer’s consent.
What are the important boat insurance policy exclusions?
It’s recommended that you read over your boat insurance policy to make sure you know the exact details of the cover and what to do in the event of an incident that damages your boat.
A number of professional insurance providers, such as GasanMamo, are unlikely to cover:
- Damage or loss caused by lack of general maintenance, wear and tear or loss of value over time.
- Damage to clothing, personal effects, diving or fishing gear, damage to moorings.
- Participating in racing or speed tests.
- Wear and tear, depreciation, deterioration or damage caused by vermin, insects or fungus.
- A hidden defect, faulty design or construction.
- Sails, masts, spars and attached fittings, standing and running rigging whilst racing unless these are declared and agreed.
- Loss or damage caused by war, strikes, riot and civil commotion.
- Any liability arising from an accident whilst the vessel is being moved or transported.
FAQs
1. Does boat insurance cover a blown engine?
A blown boat engine may be covered when the damage results from a sudden and unexpected external event. Examples include the vessel striking a submerged object, such as a rock or piece of wood, or propeller fouling, where a rope, fishing net or similar object becomes caught around the propeller and causes damage to the engine or propulsion system.
2. Will insurance cover an engine that blows due to wear and tear?
Generally, no: damage caused by general maintenance issues, wear and tear, depreciation or deterioration is excluded from cover.
3. Is engine damage caused by overheating covered by boat insurance?
Engine damage caused by ordinary mechanical deterioration or maintenance-related problems is unlikely to be covered, as these circumstances generally fall under exclusions for wear and tear or deterioration. Your specific policy wording should always be checked before making a claim.
4. What should I check before claiming for a blown boat engine?
Check your policy for the exact exclusions, limits and conditions, and report an incident that could lead to a claim as soon as possible and within the policy’s stated timeframe.
Help protect your boat with GasanMamo’s boat insurance
Safeguarding your vessel with appropriate boat insurance is the sensible first step in enjoying your time on the water with peace of mind.
There can’t be a cast-iron guarantee that you’ll never have an accident, but you can make sure you’re properly covered if an unexpected event occurs.
Begin your own search for the right plan in Malta by looking through our compelling benefits on our boat insurance page and contact our experienced team today.
GasanMamo Insurance is authorised under the Insurance Business Act and regulated by the MFSA.
