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Where you sail decides what to check

A charter week in Croatia, a winter in the Canaries and an Atlantic crossing ask different questions of a boat insurance policy: which rules apply in port, which season brings the storms, and whether the agreed cruising area really reaches that far. The water you sail decides which of those questions comes first, and these pages set out what matters in each area.

15 cruising areas

Mediterranean

Cruising area Croatia and the Adriatic Boat insurance in Croatia and the Adriatic: compulsory liability rules, the certificate marinas ask for, bora damage, charter use and wintering ashore.

Cruising area Italy, Sardinia and Sicily Boat insurance in Italy, Sardinia and Sicily: compulsory liability minimums, checks in port, open-water crossings and winter storage ashore.

Cruising area Spain and the Balearics Boat insurance for Mallorca, Ibiza and mainland Spain: compulsory liability rules, port checks, anchoring in crowded coves and wintering ashore.

Cruising area Côte d'Azur and Corsica Boat insurance on the Côte d'Azur and in Corsica: the mistral, crowded and costly harbours, high liability claims and document checks in France.

Cruising area Greece and the Aegean Boat insurance in Greece and the Aegean: weeks of meltemi, long passages between islands, nights at anchor and the certificate port police ask for.

Cruising area Turkey Boat insurance in Turkey: low-cost winter storage ashore, clearing in and out with your own boat, and a coast of deep anchorages with little shelter.

Cruising area Malta and Cyprus Boat insurance in Malta and Cyprus: year-round use, strict document checks in port, charter bases and long passages to Sicily, Crete and Turkey.

Cruising area North Africa (Tunisia, Morocco) Sailing to Tunisia and Morocco: cruising area limits, entry paperwork, insurance certificates, wintering ashore and theft risk in quieter harbours.

Atlantic

Cruising area Atlantic coast of Europe Boat insurance on Europe's Atlantic coast: big tides, bar entrances, Biscay lows, swell in harbours and the certificate ports ask for on arrival.

Cruising area Canary Islands and Madeira Boat insurance for the Canaries and Madeira: year-round sailing, trade wind wear on berths and lines, and what to check before an Atlantic crossing.

Cruising area Azores and Cape Verde The Azores and Cape Verde on an Atlantic circuit: swell in Horta, exposed anchorages, sparse repair facilities, salvage and logbook duties far offshore.

Cruising area Caribbean and Bahamas Boat insurance in the Caribbean and Bahamas: hurricane season clauses, named storm thresholds, lay-up conditions, unattended anchoring and salvage.

Worldwide

Cruising area Worldwide cruising Worldwide cruising limits explained: zone lists, storm season clauses, berth rules, solo sailing and logbook duties to check in any policy.

Cruising area Panama and Suez canals Transiting the Panama and Suez canals: pilots on board, lock damage, rafting with other boats, liability, agents and the paperwork you need to prepare.

Blue water

Cruising area Blue water and circumnavigation Insurance questions before a circumnavigation: cruising and time limits, hurricane clauses, rig exclusions on older boats, salvage and crew.

Sailing somewhere else?

These pages cover the areas where local rules, seasons or distances change what an owner should look at. Wherever you are heading, the agreed cruising area in the policy is the line that counts, so check it before you leave, not after you arrive.

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