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Greece and the Aegean: what your policy must cover
Mediterranean
In the Aegean, the night is spent at anchor.
Greece is anchoring country. Passages between islands are long, harbours are small and most nights are spent in a bay. That puts two questions at the centre of any policy here: lying at anchor with nobody aboard, and the meltemi.
At a glance
Aegean, Ionian Sea, Cyclades and Sporades
Meltemi: dragging at anchor and harbour knocks are the typical claims
Liability insurance is compulsory in Greece, port police ask for proof
Check whether your policy demands someone aboard at anchor
Worth knowing
Greece and the Aegean: what to know before you go
The meltemi blows from the north and north-east for weeks in summer, typically at force 5 to 7 and at times reaching 8. It is predictable but demands discipline: crossing between two islands at midday means wind and sea on the nose. The usual claims are boats dragging at night, damaged shore lines and knocks during tight manoeuvres in crowded harbours.
Third-party liability insurance is compulsory for pleasure craft in Greece, and the port police, who act as the harbour authority, often ask for the certificate when you clear in or out. If you arrive on your own boat, keep it aboard with the boat's papers and your skipper's licence. A certificate officials can read without translation saves time, so ask your insurer which languages theirs comes in.
The point that decides this cruising area rarely appears on the first page of a quote: lying at anchor with nobody aboard. Some wordings require the boat to be permanently crewed and reduce the settlement if nobody was aboard. If you spend the summer in bays, read that line. If the boat is chartered out, commercially or as occasional private letting, make sure that use is agreed in writing.
Questions and answers
Common questions
Is anchoring with nobody aboard a problem for insurance?
It can be. This is where wordings differ most between insurers: some require the boat to be permanently crewed and cut the settlement if nobody was aboard. In the Aegean that is exactly what owners do every night, so check the clause before the season.
What matters after meltemi damage?
Ask which section of your hull policy deals with storm damage and which with dragging or stranding, as some policies split them between partial and full hull cover. The usual duty of care applies: putting to sea despite a strong meltemi warning opens a discussion about negligence.
Do I need an insurance certificate in Greece?
Yes. Liability insurance is compulsory for pleasure craft and the port authority asks for the certificate, often when you clear in or out. Keep it aboard with the boat's papers and your licence, ideally in a version Greek officials can read without translation.
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