Comprehensive Cover

For most jet ski owners, yes. Comprehensive cover protects you against the full range of risks — accidental damage, theft, fire, weather, and third-party liability — in a single policy. The alternative is either going uninsured or assembling separate covers, which is usually more expensive and more complicated to manage. For craft worth more than a few thousand dollars, comprehensive cover is typically the recommended starting point.

A comprehensive policy will generally cover the craft while it is on a registered trailer and being transported. However, the trailer itself is usually a separate item that needs to be specified. When getting a quote, ask the broker to confirm whether the policy extends to trailer transit and whether the trailer can be added as a schedule item. This is especially important if your trailer is a significant asset in its own right.

Common exclusions include mechanical or electrical breakdown, wear and tear, racing or timed competition use, use outside the agreed geographic limits, and deliberate acts. Some policies also exclude use for hire or reward. Reading the policy schedule carefully — or asking your broker to walk through the exclusions — is the best way to understand the specific boundaries of your cover.

Yes, older craft can usually be comprehensively insured, though some underwriters may impose age limits or only offer market value rather than agreed value cover on older models. A specialist broker has access to multiple underwriters and can find the most appropriate option for older or unusual craft. The age, condition, and storage arrangements of the craft will all influence what is available and at what premium.

If you need to make a claim, you notify your insurer (or your broker, who will assist) as soon as possible after the incident. You will typically be asked to provide details of what happened, photos of the damage, and a police report if theft is involved. A specialist marine insurer will then arrange an assessment and, if the claim is accepted, either arrange repairs or pay out the agreed or assessed value. Your broker can advocate on your behalf if a claim is disputed.