Marine Equipment vs Hull Insurance – Key Differences

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Understand what each policy covers and when you need marine equipment insurance, hull insurance – or both

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Specialist Marine, Hull & Equipment Insurers

  • Allianz
  • Aviva
  • QBE
  • RSA
  • Zurich
  • NIG

Do You Need Marine Equipment Insurance, Hull Insurance – or Both?

  • VESSEL HULL & STRUCTURE

  • EQUIPMENT & MACHINERY

  • GEAR & TOOLS ONBOARD

  • LIABILITY & OPERATIONS

Simple Explanation

Marine hull insurance is designed to cover the vessel itself – hull, structure, main engines and integral machinery.

Marine equipment insurance focuses on equipment and gear – tools, winches, cranes, specialist kit, navigation electronics and sometimes hired-in items used on or around the vessel.

Many commercial operators need both: hull cover for the vessel, and equipment cover for the valuable kit that sits on – or works alongside – it.

Marine Equipment Insurance vs Hull Insurance – At a Glance

Both policies are important, but they protect different things.

Marine Equipment Insurance


  • Focuses on tools, machinery, gear & specialist kit
  • Can include nets, pots, cranes, winches & deck equipment
  • Can extend to navigation electronics & temporary systems
  • Often covers hired-in or leased equipment
  • Protects against damage, theft, breakdown, water damage
  • Suitable for contractors & operators who don’t own the vessel
  • Can be arranged per-item, per-project or annually

Vessel Hull / Marine Hull Insurance


  • Covers the vessel’s hull, superstructure & fixed machinery
  • Designed for owners of fishing vessels, workboats & commercial craft
  • Protects against collision, grounding, sinking, fire & weather events
  • Can include main engines, generators & integral onboard systems
  • Often combined with P&I (Protection & Indemnity) liability cover
  • May be required by lenders, regulators & harbour authorities
  • Normally arranged on an annual basis for the vessel owner

Who Typically Needs Equipment Cover vs Hull Cover?

Different roles in the marine industry have different insurance responsibilities.

Marine Equipment Insurance – Typical Buyers


  • Marine contractors & engineering firms
  • Fishing businesses with high-value gear
  • Operators using hired-in or leased equipment
  • Harbour & dock operators with specialist machinery
  • Offshore service providers & survey companies
  • Businesses with portable equipment used across multiple vessels

Marine Hull Insurance – Typical Buyers


  • Owners of commercial vessels & fishing boats
  • Companies with dedicated fleets or workboats
  • Vessel-owning SPVs & investment vehicles
  • Charterers with hull interest requirements
  • Operators needing finance or mortgage on vessels
  • Businesses required by contract to insure hull & machinery

Using Equipment Insurance & Hull Insurance Together

For many operators, the strongest solution is a combination of both policies.

Common Combined Approach


  • Hull policy for the vessel, structure & fixed machinery
  • Equipment policy for removable gear & project-specific kit
  • Separate cover for hired-in or leased equipment
  • Liability & pollution cover for third-party risks
  • Breakdown cover for critical machinery where needed

How Insure24 Can Help


  • Review your current hull and equipment arrangements
  • Identify gaps or overlaps in cover
  • Advise on sums insured & limits for each policy
  • Coordinate hull, equipment, liability & breakdown cover
  • Work with specialist marine insurers and underwriters
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“Insure24 helped us separate what should sit under hull insurance and what needed specialist equipment cover – saving money and improving protection.”

Operations Director, Offshore Services Company

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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What does marine hull insurance actually cover?

Hull insurance covers the vessel’s hull, structure, fixed machinery and often main engines against risks such as collision, sinking, fire, grounding and severe weather.

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What is classed as “equipment” rather than hull?

Equipment usually means removable or non-integral items such as nets, pots, deck cranes, winches, portable tools, temporary systems and hired-in machinery rather than the vessel’s structure itself.

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Do I still need equipment insurance if I have hull insurance?

Usually yes – hull policies often exclude or limit cover for removable gear, hired-in equipment or project-specific tools, so separate equipment cover is recommended.

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What if I don’t own the vessel but use my own equipment onboard?

In that case, the vessel owner usually insures the hull, while you insure your own equipment – and any gear you hire in – under a marine equipment policy.

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Can Insure24 arrange both hull and equipment insurance together?

Yes. We can place hull, machinery, equipment, liability, pollution and breakdown covers with specialist marine insurers as a combined solution.

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