A tender rarely sails independently: it hangs in davits, is towed or lies on a beach, and it is precisely those moments that fall between the mother vessel's policy and a policy of its own.
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In brief
There are two routes for a tender. It is included on the mother vessel's policy up to a limit stated in the conditions, or it gets a policy of its own. Ask for that limit and read how the tender is described. Many yacht policies cover the tender only while in use for the purposes of the mother vessel; independent trips by guests to the shore then fall outside it. If the value of the tender and its motor is above the stated limit, a policy of its own is the only way to avoid underinsurance.
The second feature is the way the tender comes on board. Davits, a tender lift, a harbour crane or a tow line behind the yacht are each a risk moment of their own. A tender that falls out of the sling damages not only itself but also the aft deck of the mother vessel, and that is then a hull claim on the yacht. Many policy conditions exclude damage during lifting or hoisting, unless a fixed installation intended for the purpose has been used.
If the tender appears on two policies, for example on the yacht policy and on its own pleasure craft insurance, report it. Under Article 7:960 DCC you never receive more than the loss suffered, and the contribution provision determines which insurer pays.
The structure of the cover in three parts, with an overview per situation below.
Liability
Liability
Damage you cause to others with the vessel.
Collision and jetty damage
No legal obligation
Often required by the marina
The vessel itself
Own-damage cover
Damage to the boat, the engine and the fixed equipment.
Fire, storm and sinking
Theft
Collision and grounding
Extensions
Extensions
What you add separately.
Trailer on the road
Occupants
Salvage and wreck removal
What is covered
Situation
Liability
Own-damage cover
Damage to another vessel or a jetty
Yes
No
Theft of the boat or the outboard motor
No
Provided that
Fire and storm damage in the berth or ashore
No
Yes
Sinking through a leak or through rainwater
No
Provided that
Salvage and removal of the wreck
Provided that
Provided that
Osmosis, wear and deferred maintenance
No
No
There is no statutory insurance requirement for pleasure craft. The WAM applies only to motor vehicles. Marinas, harbours and hire companies do generally require liability cover. Pay attention to the sailing area described and to the lay-up or winter storage period: outside the sailing area or during undeclared storage, cover may lapse.
This overview is general in nature and is not personal advice. What is actually covered, including exclusions, limits and the excess, is set out in the policy conditions and the insurance card (verzekeringskaart) of the insurer; you receive both before you take out cover. Taking out cover without advice? Then read what execution only means for you.
Where things go wrong in practice
Four points that make the difference between a policy that pays out and one that does not.
The limit on the yacht policy is usually the sticking point
Yacht policies have a maximum for the tender that was written for a simple inflatable boat with a light motor. A modern tender with a console, a powerful outboard motor or a jet drive is well above that. If the loss exceeds the stated limit, the excess amount remains at your expense. Ask for the limit in writing, check whether the motor is named separately, and above that limit choose a policy of its own.
Lifting, hoisting and davits are a separate risk
The moment the tender hangs on the hook is the moment things usually go wrong: a broken sling, a badly distributed load, a crane movement in a rolling harbour. Many policies exclude damage during lifting and hoisting unless it is done with the mother vessel's fixed davits or tender lift. Have it recorded which equipment you use and whether towing on a line is included.
Who sails it determines whether there is cover
A tender is often used by guests to go ashore while the owner stays on board. If those guests do not fall within the group of insured persons, or the policy sets an age or experience requirement, their trip is not covered and liability under Article 6:162 DCC stays with the person at the helm. Lending to third parties or use for payment is almost always excluded on a private policy.
Left on a beach or at a jetty
While the mother vessel lies at anchor, the tender is often left unattended on the beach or at a landing stage. Insurers set requirements for that: a chain with a lock to a fixed point and an approved motor lock. If those are missing when a theft occurs, payment is reduced or refused. Loss of the tender while being towed, because the line breaks or comes loose, is also excluded under many policy conditions.
What does your premium depend on?
Value of the tender and motor against the yacht policy. If the value stays below the tender limit, inclusion is often enough.
Independent use by guests. Trips away from the mother vessel call for a wider description than use as a tender alone.
How it is carried on board. Davits, a tender lift, the aft deck or towing on a line each produce a different pattern of damage.
Sailing area of the mother vessel. Inland waters, coastal waters or a southern sailing area determines where the tender ends up.
Security when left unattended. A chain with a lock to a fixed point and an approved motor lock are often a condition.
A separate policy or an endorsement to the yacht policy. The form chosen determines the excess and how it interacts with the yacht's cover.
Insurers weigh these details differently. That is where your saving is.
How we arrange it
You request a quoteWe take stock of your situation, your risk and your wishes.
We compareseveral insurers, on premium as well as conditions.
You receive a proposalWith an explanation of the differences and the exclusions.
We arrange the switchIncluding cancellation, so there is no gap in cover.
Customers rate our service on four aspects: personal service, service delivery, availability and the outcome. The reviews are collected and published by NH1816 and come from customers who have actually taken out a policy with Finass Advies B.V. or reported a claim.
Often yes, but up to a stated limit and usually only while in use for the purposes of the mother vessel. Ask for that limit and that description in writing. If the value of the tender and its motor is above it, or if guests use it independently to go ashore, the tender cover falls short and a policy of its own is needed to avoid underinsurance.
Is damage during lifting in the davits covered?
That depends on the equipment. Many policy conditions exclude damage during lifting and hoisting unless you use the mother vessel's fixed davits or tender lift. A separate harbour or mobile crane regularly falls outside that. If the falling tender also damages the aft deck, that is a hull claim on the yacht and runs through the yacht policy.
May I let guests take my tender?
Only if they fall within the group of insured persons and meet any age or experience requirement. Otherwise their trip is not covered and liability under Article 6:162 of the Dutch Civil Code stays with the driver. Hire or use for payment is excluded on a private policy. Have independent use by guests added to the policy in advance.
What if the tender appears on two policies?
Report it to both insurers. Under Article 7:960 of the Dutch Civil Code you are never paid more than the loss you actually suffer, so double insurance does not produce a double payment. The contribution provision in the policy conditions determines which policy takes precedence. The other supplements it at most. We fix that order so that when a claim arises the insurers do not refer you back and forth.
Finass Verzekert is a trading name of Finass Advies B.V. We advise on and arrange non-life insurance on the basis of an objective analysis of several insurers, and receive commission for this from the insurer, which is included in the premium. You pay no separate advice fee. Before you take out cover, we establish your wishes and needs.
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