Before you race: what your boat insurance needs to cover
At Bishop Skinner Marine we’re excited to be sponsoring this year’s Royal Escape Race. We love to experience the thrill of a race but are aware that organised races can bring extra risk to boat owners. Collisions, gear damage, crew injury and salvage costs can happen, which is why it is important to check your insurance beforehand.
1. Does my insurance policy allow racing?
• Many standard pleasure craft policies either exclude racing entirely or allow only certain types of racing. Some insurers will cover limited local club races by default, others will require a specific “racing endorsement” or separate race insurance.
Action:
- Read your policy’s exclusions section and the definitions for “racing” or “yacht racing risks.” If the wording is unclear, call your broker or insurer and ask directly if you’re covered.
2. How to check your policy wording
Find your current policy wording and look for these sections: permitted uses,exclusions, endorsements, liability and hull/ physical damage.
Search the document for racing terms and if you see “racing excluded” or any clause that restricts “competitive” use, contact your insurer or broker for guidance.
3. Types of cover affected by racing
• Liability/ third party bodily injury and property damage: this is important as racing increases the risk of collisions and potential claims from other competitors.
• Hull/ own boat damage: racing can increase the chance of structural or rigging damage.
• Medical / personal injury on board: some policies include crew medical cover so if needed, check your policies limits and exclusions.
4. Required and recommended limits
• Sussex Yacht Club require each boat participating in the Royal Escape Race is covered by third party liability insurance for a minimum of £5 million in the Notice of Race. They also require participants to be covered for racing risks.
Action:
- Make sure your insurance meets or exceeds this minimum amount before you compete.
5. Excesses and racing exclusions
• Racing endorsements may increase your excess (the amount you pay before insurance kicks in). Some policies may also apply an additional “racing excess” for collision or mast damage during a race.
Action:
- Ask your insurer what excess applies to racing claims and whether any exclusions would apply to likely racing scenarios.
6. Proving coverage documents to bring to the event
• It is a good idea to bring printed or digital copies of your certificate of insurance showing policy number, limits and effective dates to the Royal Escape Race.
• Written racing endorsement or confirmation from insurer permitting the specific event (if you have it).
• Vessel registration, measurement certificates, crew list and any required safety certificates.
Action:
- Keep these documents on board in a waterproof folder and with the shore contact.
If you are taking part in the Royal Escape Race and you’re not certain that you have the right cover in place, working with a marine insurance broker like Bishop Skinner Marine is essential. We can help you understand your policy exclusions and endorsements so you can enjoy the race with peace of mind.
For more information or advice about insurance, contact our team by calling 0333 057 1101 or by emailing insurance@bishopskinner.comand tell us you are participating in the Royal Escape Race 2026.
This is a marketing communication.
Bishop Skinner Marine is a trading name of Marsh Ltd. Marsh Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for General Insurance Distribution and Credit Broking (Firm Reference No. 307511). Copyright © 2026 Marsh Ltd. Registered in England and Wales Number: 1507274, Registered office: 1 Tower Place West, Tower Place, London EC3R 5BU. All rights reserved.
Posted: May 5th 2026
