Does insurance require sails less than 10 Year old?

[tanre]

Recently heard that all insurance companies require your sails to be less than 10 years old. Was wondering if this is true or if there might be some companies that don't require it, or if maybe it depends on if a crossing is under way.


Thanks all!

[Dsanduril]

Our last two insurance companies wouldn't insure the rig, and/or any consequential damage from rigging failure unless the standing rigging was less than 10 years old. No requirement on running rigging or sails.

[S/V Illusion]

Our underwriter requires either

1. Rigging replacement at 10 year intervals or,
2. Submittal of an annual inspection report by what they describe as a “qualified professional rigging company” if the rigging age exceeds 10 years.

They do not care how old, worn or blown out our sails may be.

Many underwriters require nothing except payment of the premium. There is no consistency

[tomfl]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

SNIP

There is no consistency

You win the internet today.

[Tortuga's Lie]

Never heard that one before.........try another insurance company. The only thing that could possible make sense would be a scenario that you would be out somewhere and both of your sails blew out AND your engine stopped working........not very likely............or maybe you are trying to go through a rocky jetty and your sails blew out and you didn't have enough time to start the engine??
Sails are never covered under any policy I have heard of, so what difference would it make to them?

[Mike OReilly]

I’ve never heard of, or faced, such a demand. Heck, I’ve never been questioned about the age of the standing rigging either. Only hurdle I’ve seen is having a satisfactory survey, which naturally includes the standing rig.

I suggest shopping around. I just changed broker and underwriter this past season and ended up reducing my insurance by over 30%. Same coverage.

That said, from many anecdotal reports I’ve seen here, it sounds like American insurance demands are getting a lot more restrictive, and more expensive.

[capn_billl]

Getting thousands of claims of sails damaged from high winds will do that.

[rosatte]

I just finished insuring my boat a 84 union cutter boat required full survey standing rigging less than 10 yrs old I have ordered new sails at a cost of 9 thousand dollars the new sails add no value at all insurance don’t give a dam about sails

[Redline452]

I've never heard of "requiring" new sails, but I have seen policies where specified items (such as sails) "more than xx years old" were insured at "actual cash value" - essentially zero, or very close to it. It only becomes a requirement if you expect to receive something for them on a claim.

[StuM]

I suspect that you or someone earlier in the chain of knowledge misheard or misunderstood the original (chinese whisper?) and the 10 years applies to standing rigging.

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by StuM

I suspect that you or someone earlier in the chain of knowledge misheard or misunderstood the original (chinese whisper?) and the 10 years applies to standing rigging.

This was exactly what I thought as well.

Never heard of sail age as a requirement.

Standing rigging yes, sails no.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Dsanduril

Our last two insurance companies wouldn't insure the rig, and/or any consequential damage from rigging failure unless the standing rigging was less than 10 years old. No requirement on running rigging or sails.

Do you have a price difference for when the rigging was included and excluded?

[redneckrob]

In that case just ask for a quote for a motor boat with a 20 HP engine

[tanre]

Thanks all. Yes, you're prob right...after reading all the responses, I'm leaning towards it being a rigging requirement and not the sails. That said, it also seems that its not universal and thus research and shopping around seem to be wise moves. Thanks

[billknny]

Originally Posted by capn_billl

Getting thousands of claims of sails damaged from high winds will do that.

I have never heard of an insurance company dumb enough to insure sails...