Rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) are a type of powerboat fitted with inflatable collars or tubes. They are very resilient and almost unsinkable which is just one of the reasons that they are common rescue boats, work boats, race boats, tenders and patrols boats. As a very fast vessel, it is extremely important that owners have rib insurance in place to cover themselves and everyone else on the water.

Just because an RIB is inflatable does not mean it cant cause a lot of damage. When travelling at high speeds the rigid frame can cause a lot of damage to other people and their property in the event of a collision. Also, RIB insurance is not only designed to protect you financially in the event of a crash or collision on the water, but also in the event of theft, loss or damage during transportation, fire, and many others.

As a responsible RIB owner, you should hold third party insurance cover as a bare minimum as this policy would provide you with financial protection if your boat injures someone else, or damages their property. This sort of accident could happen at any time, and no matter how careful you are when transporting your RIB or hitting the waters, you just as open to an accident as anyone else. If something were to happen, you could end up paying thousands of pounds in the cost of repair or replacement to someone elses property.

Although you might think that third party cover is enough, realistically, you should be looking to obtain a comprehensive RIB insurance policy. You dont want your RIB to end up out of action because you cant afford the costs of repair, so think logically and ensure that you are covered for any eventuality. By seeking a more comprehensive cover, you could expect accidental damage, theft, puncture and many other risks to be protected.

As always, there are exclusions with RIB insurance such as wear and tear, corrosion and others, so ensure that you are aware of what your policy covers. By checking the small print and discussing with a specialist provider, you can rest assured that you are fully protected.