Insurance in island packages: what is covered

Insurance in an island package can mean three different things: the boat operator’s cover, an insurance product the agency sells, or your own policy. A quotation that only says “insurance included” has not yet told you which. Ask, and ask to see the summary.

Read this with our list of what a full-board package includes and excludes. For the add-on side, see insurance as an add-on for islands.

Whose insurance is it?

The table separates the three kinds.

Kind	Who holds it	What to ask
Boat operator’s passenger cover	The operator	What does it cover, and for whom?
Agency-sold travel insurance	The agency’s insurer	Which insurer, and where is the policy summary?
Your own travel insurance	You	Does it cover water activities and cancellation?

A 2017 report said the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, as amended in 2014, requires passenger insurance, and an MMEA notice urged operators to carry enough life jackets for all passengers ^[1]. We could not confirm the full rule, so ask the operator directly. The operator’s cover does not replace your own travel insurance.

What situations should a policy answer?

Test any cover against four situations.

1. A sailing cancelled by weather, with you stuck on the mainland.
2. A medical visit on the island, and transfer to the mainland.
3. A missed connection, such as a flight you cannot catch.
4. Lost or damaged baggage and equipment.

Our guide on travel insurance and missed boat connections looks at the third case more closely.

What wording should you look for?

Read the policy for named exclusions. Water sports, diving, pre-existing conditions and “adverse weather” are often listed. Check whether snorkelling counts as an included activity, since a diving exclusion may be written differently.

If the agency says a waiver is included, ask whether it is insurance or a company policy. A cancellation waiver is a promise from the seller, not a licensed insurance product. Our guide on cancellation waiver add-ons explains the difference.

What should you ask in writing?

• Is any insurance included, and who is the insurer?
• Can I see the policy summary and exclusions?
• Does it cover snorkelling and boat transfers?
• What happens if the sailing is cancelled for weather?
• How do I make a claim, and who do I call?

Keep the reply with your booking.

A better fit if…

Relying on the package may suit you if the policy summary is clear and covers what worries you. Buying your own travel insurance may suit you better if you want full control of the terms or have a medical condition to declare. Either way, read the exclusions before the price.