Narrowboat Insurance

Whilst not a legal requirement, if you own a narrowboat, widebeam, barge, or houseboat, the Canal & River Trust requires valid third-party canal boat insurance cover in order for you to obtain a boating licence. Without this, you cannot use the UK’s inland waterways.

Get an online quote and start cruising today or visit our important documents page for more cover details. 

Whether or not you need a survey to take out narrowboat insurance varies by provider, but it’s more likely for older or high-value boats.

At GJW Direct, a full out-of-water survey conducted by a qualified marine surveyor is required for boats aged 30 years or older.

If the insured vessel is over 30 years of age, you must have in your possession an out of water condition including ultrasonic readings of no less than 4mm below the waterline and valuation survey, carried out and completed within the last ten years by an independent qualified marine surveyor and any surveyor recommendations are carried out in the timescales and all ‘ongoing recommendations’ shall be complied with throughout the Period of Insurance. A Hull-only report is not acceptable. 

Where the vessel is under 26ft and valued below £15k a survey is not required until the Vessel is 50 years of ages subject to the conditions in this survey clause. 

You don’t need a river licence to take out narrowboat insurance. However, you’ll need at least £2m third-party liability cover to get a river licence from the Canal & River Trust, which enables you to travel on the UK’s inland waterways. All GJW Direct narrowboat insurance policies come with £5m third-party liability cover as standard. 

Yes—for an additional premium, you can select liveaboard cover when taking out narrowboat insurance through GJW Direct. This gives you the reassurance that your narrowboat, widebeam, or houseboat is fully covered for this use. 

Yes—you can either live at a long-term mooring or become a continuous cruiser, which involves moving your boat every 14 days as per the Canal & River Trust’s guidelines. There are benefits to both lifestyles, so researching them both beforehand is a good idea before setting off on your narrowboat adventures. 

If you live on a narrowboat as a continuous cruiser, you don’t need to pay council tax as you lack a fixed mooring or permanent address. However, if you have a long-term residential mooring, you will need to pay council tax, as this is considered your permanent residence.   

Yes, we will pay the reasonable cost of repair or replacement for loss or damage to contents in the vessel, up to £50k.

If your narrowboat is your permanent residence and becomes uninhabitable following a claim, we will pay towards the cost of similar alternative accommodation or rent up to a maximum of £2.5k while your vessel is being repaired.

We will cover replacement locks and keys to your vessel, its safe, or alarms, up to a maximum of £500.

Yes—widebeams are included under the narrowboat insurance policy arranged by GJW Direct. It is designed to cover various types of canal boats, including widebeams, barges, and houseboats. 

Simply visit our online quote process and select widebeam insurance to set up your policy. 

The policy requires a competent person to be aboard and in charge while your boat is underway. Before letting someone else take the helm, contact GJW Direct to confirm how cover applies, particularly if you will not be aboard. 

Your insurance can help pay for repairs to your narrowboat and damage to the other boat if you’re responsible. What’s covered depends on how the accident happened and your policy. 

That depends on your boat, the route and the water conditions. Check the navigation requirements and your boat’s suitability before travelling, particularly on tidal stretches. Your insurance cruising area also needs to include the journey. 

Lock doors, windows and hatches, keep valuables out of sight and secure bicycles to a permanent fixture aboard. Keep photographs and receipts for valuable items in case you need them later.