Travel Insurance for Sailing Trips

A sailing week combines the usual travel risks, such as illness, flight delays and lost luggage, with time at sea, swimming and island hopping. If you are hurt on a remote island, getting to a hospital may involve a water taxi, an ambulance boat or, in serious cases, a helicopter. Treatment, transport and a flight home can be very expensive without cover.

Insurance also protects the money you have paid for the trip if you have to cancel for a covered reason.

Compare policies on these points:

• Medical cover. Emergency treatment in Croatia, with a high enough limit for hospital care.
• Repatriation and evacuation. Transport to hospital and home if you are seriously ill or injured, including from a yacht or island.
• Cancellation and curtailment. Cover if you have to cancel before departure or cut the trip short, and which reasons count.
• Travel disruption. Missed departures, delayed flights and missed connections, which matter if you must reach the marina by check-in.
• Water activities. Sailing as a guest on a skippered yacht, swimming, snorkelling and any extras such as paddleboarding or diving.
• Personal belongings. Phones, cameras and sunglasses dropped overboard are a common loss. Check single-item limits and whether loss at sea is covered.
• Personal liability. Cover if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property.
• Pre-existing conditions. Declare any medical conditions honestly, or your claim may be refused.

This is where many policies differ. Some include sailing within territorial waters as standard; others list it as an activity that needs an add-on, or exclude it above a certain distance from shore. Some cover you as a passenger but not if you help crew the yacht.

Tell your insurer that you are joining a skippered sailing week in Croatia, that you will sail between islands, and which activities you plan. Ask them to confirm in writing that you are covered. If you plan to try scuba diving, check depth limits and whether you need a qualification.

Most policies exclude claims linked to excess alcohol or drugs, and claims where you ignored safety instructions. Follow your skipper's briefing, and see our guide to alcohol and safety on board.

If you hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from an EU or EEA country, or the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), you can get medically necessary state healthcare in Croatia on the same terms as residents. That can be free or reduced cost.

The card has clear limits:

• It covers state healthcare only, not private clinics.
• It does not pay for repatriation or getting you home.
• It does not cover cancellation, lost belongings or travel disruption.
• You may still have to pay a patient contribution.

Carry the card if you have one, and buy travel insurance as well. Some insurers expect you to hold one, or reduce the excess if you do.

The summary on a comparison website is not the policy. Before you buy, read the full policy wording, and pay attention to:

1. the list of excluded activities and how sailing is defined
2. the geographic area covered
3. the excess you pay on each claim
4. cover limits for medical costs, cancellation and belongings
5. what evidence you need to make a claim, such as a police report or medical notes
6. the emergency assistance phone number, which you should save on your phone and carry on paper

If anything is unclear, ask the insurer and keep their answer in writing.

Yachts used for charter carry their own insurance, and operators have their own obligations. That cover is for the yacht and the business. It does not replace your personal travel insurance, which protects you, your health and your money.

For booking protection and how your payments are protected, see our payment protection page and our cancellation and refunds policy.