I live on a sailboat in the Grenadines. A boom swing broke my arm and caused a concussion. I radioed for help. The coast guard came, but my “Nomad Insurance” denied the claim for the evacuation because I was “Offshore” and “participating in a hazardous maritime activity.”
Key Takeaways
- The “Offshore” Limit: Standard travel insurance usually stops covering you 12 nautical miles from shore (International Waters). If you are sailing across the Atlantic, you are uninsured.
- Search and Rescue (SAR): Standard insurance pays for the hospital, not the Coast Guard helicopter that plucks you from the deck. You need SAR coverage.
- DAN Boater: This is the industry standard for sailors. It covers SAR and medical evacuation specifically for maritime incidents.
- Yacht Crew vs. Passenger: If you are paid crew, you need “Crew Insurance” (Occupational). If you are a leisure sailor, you need specific “Blue Water” travel insurance.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Territorial Limits.”
Insurance is often tied to a “Country.” The ocean is not a country.
- The Trap: You listed “Grenada” as your destination. You got hurt 15 miles out. The insurer says “You weren’t in Grenada. You were in international waters.”
The Investigation: I Called Them
- DAN (Divers Alert Network): Their “DAN Boater” membership ($100/year) covers $150,000 in emergency evacuation worldwide, including offshore. It is a membership, not insurance.
- Topsail / Pantaenius: Specialized yacht insurers. They offer health plans for “Liveaboards.” They cover you in the middle of the Pacific.
- SafetyWing: “Coverage applies while traveling outside your home country.” But the fine print on “Search and Rescue” is limited. They don’t have the assets to coordinate a mid-ocean pickup.
Comparison Table: Sailor Coverage
| Feature | Standard Travel Insurance | DAN Boater | Specialized Yachtsman Policy |
| Coastal Waters (<12nm) | YES | YES | YES |
| Offshore (>12nm) | NO (Usually) | YES | YES |
| Search & Rescue | NO (or low limit) | YES ($150k) | YES |
| Cost | Low | Very Low (Add-on) | High |
[IMAGE: Photo of a Coast Guard helicopter hovering over a sailboat, lowering a rescue basket]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Buy DAN Boater: It’s cheap. It covers the gap. Do it.
- Check “Manual Labor”: If you are fixing the engine and get hurt, ensure your policy doesn’t exclude “Manual Labor.”
- Satellite Phone: You cannot call for an evac if you have no signal. Starlink or Iridium Go is mandatory for safety.
- Float Plan: Tell someone where you are going. If you vanish, SAR won’t start until someone reports you missing.
FAQ
Does it cover my boat?
No. This is medical evac for you. Hull insurance for the boat is totally separate.
What if I’m just on a cruise ship?
Cruise ships have medical centers. Standard travel insurance works fine there because you are a “passenger.”
Can they land a heli on my boat?
Rarely. Usually, they lower a basket (hoist operation). It’s dangerous.