A sailing boat on the pleasure craft insurance

Not by law, as it is for a motor vehicle. In reality you will rarely avoid it: most marinas require at least liability cover before you are given a mooring, and when sailing in foreign waters a valid policy is often checked. Without cover you bear damage to other vessels yourself.

Only for very small boats. Many AVP policies cover rowing boats, canoes and sailing dinghies with a limited sail area, and exclude larger craft and boats with an engine of any size. For a cabin sailing boat or a boat with a fixed engine, separate pleasure craft insurance is therefore needed. Check the exact limit in your policy conditions.

Generally only where the damage results from a covered event, such as a dismasting, fire or collision, and then with a deduction for age. Tears from wind, wear or ageing fall outside it. If you want wider cover, ask about an extension for sails and rigging and pay attention to the maximum payment.

The policy has a lay-up period with its own conditions and often a lower premium. Cover remains limited to events such as fire, storm and theft. Frost damage because the engine, the cooling system or the pipework has not been drained is excluded. Record where the boat lies and whether that is a recognised storage facility.

Not automatically. Some insurers include racing, usually with restrictions for the sails, mast and rigging; others exclude participation. So declare participation in races when you apply. Reporting it afterwards does not help: at the moment of the loss, what is in the policy and what you declared in advance is what counts.

A valuation under Article 7:960 of the Dutch Civil Code makes the agreed amount binding on both parties for the agreed period. On a total loss the insurer pays that amount, without discussion about the current market value. If the valuation expires, have it renewed in good time; otherwise the market value at the moment of the loss applies.