Insurance For Single-handers

[Corryvreckan]

This is probably a crazy question... but my husband is planning to sail our boat single-handed from the Caribbean to Europe via the Azores in 6 weeks or so, and we're wondering if anyone has had any success with insurance for a similar voyage? Our current insurers won't touch it, in fact will only insure if two extra (experienced) crew members join!

Another question: how is life insurance affected by such activity? Would it (generally) be considered a dangerous activity, and thus outside the permitted activities?

thanks!

[osirissailing]

Originally Posted by Corryvreckan

This is probably a crazy question... but my husband is planning to sail our boat single-handed from the Caribbean to Europe via the Azores in 6 weeks or so, and we're wondering if anyone has had any success with insurance for a similar voyage? Our current insurers won't touch it, in fact will only insure if two extra (experienced) crew members join!

Another question: how is life insurance affected by such activity? Would it (generally) be considered a dangerous activity, and thus outside the permitted activities?

thanks!

A lot of people have singlehanded across the Atlantic ocean in everything from rafts to rowboats to yachts. It is the experience and knowledge of the singlehander along with his quota of divine grace from above that gets them safely to the other side.

As far as life insurance goes there is specific language in your policy that delineates all the no-no activities and normally sailing is not one of them. Because thousands make the crossing successfully there is no significant statisical risk as you would find with activities such as hang gliding or parachute jumping.

As far as marine insurance on the vessel, I do not think there are any companies writing such policies anywhere. The best you can find is 2-person policies available from IMIS in Annapolis. They are called "Jackline" policies.