A squall line hit the marina with 60mph gusts. My roller-furling jib unfurled and flogged itself to death. The canvas bimini was ripped to shreds. I filed a claim for $8,000 in new sails and canvas. The adjuster offered $500.
Key Takeaways
- Depreciation on Soft Goods: Sails, canvas, and upholstery are “wasting assets.” They have a finite life (5-10 years). Insurers aggressively depreciate them. A 7-year-old sail is valued at ~10% of new cost.
- Wear and Tear Exclusion: If the sail ripped because the stitching was UV-rotted, the claim is denied entirely as “maintenance.” You must prove it was a storm event that destroyed a healthy sail.
- The “Protective Cover” Clause: If you didn’t have the UV strip or sail cover on, they might deny for negligence.
- New for Old (The Holy Grail): Some premium policies (Pantaenius/Chubb) offer “New for Old” coverage on sails up to a certain age (e.g., 5 or 7 years). Standard policies do not.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Betterment.”
If the insurer buys you a brand new sail to replace a 10-year-old rag, you are “better off” than before. Insurance is designed to make you whole, not upgrade you. Thus, they deduct the depreciation.
The Investigation (I Quoted Replacement)
- Dacron Sail Life: ~10 years.
- Depreciation Rate: ~10% per year.
- Policy Check:
- Standard: ACV (Depreciated).
- Yacht Policy: might have a “Sail Endorsement” freezing depreciation for 5 years.
Comparison Table
| Item Age | Standard Policy Payout | Premium Policy (New for Old) |
| 1 Year Old | 100% | 100% |
| 5 Years Old | 50% | 100% |
| 10 Years Old | 0-10% | Depreciated |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Maintain Your Canvas: Keep receipts for restitching and waterproofing. Proving you maintained it fights the “Wear and Tear” denial.
- Secure for Storms: If a named storm is coming, take the canvas down. Leaving it up is asking for a denial based on “Failure to Mitigate.”
- [IMAGE: Photo of a boat stripped of all canvas/sails prior to a storm]
- Check the “Windstorm” Deductible: If the damage occurred during a Named Storm, your deductible might be higher than the value of the sails.
FAQ
Does it cover spinnakers blowing out while racing?
Usually NO. “Sails damaged while racing” is a standard exclusion unless you buy the “Racing Endorsement.”
What if the bimini frame bent?
The metal frame is usually covered as “Hull/Equipment” (less depreciation) than the fabric.