Claims
Boat fire ignition sources
| Source | What the investigator looks for |
|---|---|
| Electrical | Wiring standard, connections, overload protection, corrosion |
| Battery systems | Chemistry, installation, charging regime, thermal management |
| Shore power | Connection condition, isolation, RCD protection |
| Fuel systems | Hose age, leaks, ventilation, ignition sources |
| Galley and gas | Certification, hose age, leak testing, shut-off |
| Engine space | Exhaust lagging, fuel line proximity, insulation |
Lithium battery fire investigations
Preserving fire investigation evidence
Even after a severe fire, investigators recover a surprising amount: battery cases, switch panels, charger remains, fuel fittings. Do not clear the wreck or dispose of anything before the insurer's investigator has attended, however unpleasant the boat is to be around.
Marina fire liability
A fire that starts aboard your vessel and spreads to neighbours, pontoons or the marina structure creates liability that can exceed your hull value many times over. In a dense marina the liability limit is the more important number on the policy.
Wreck removal after a boat fire
- The wreck must usually still be removed, and that cost has to come from somewhere
- Environmental liability from fuel release may attach
- Salvage value of the remains is normally deducted or the wreck retained by the insurer
- Personal effects are separately sub-limited and rarely adequate
- Any finance on the vessel is paid out first from the settlement
Read the wording before you need it
Almost every disputed marine claim turns on a definition, an exclusion or a condition the owner had never read. The PDS guide explains which sections decide claims.
Frequently asked questions
Are lithium battery fires covered by boat insurance?
Fire is normally an insured event, but conditions about installation standard, charging and maintenance frequently apply. A fire traced to an unqualified installation may not be paid.
Am I liable if my boat's fire spreads in a marina?
Potentially, and the exposure can far exceed your own vessel's value. This is why the liability limit matters as much as the hull sum insured for berthed boats.
Related guides
- Electric Boat Insurance Australia
- Shore Power Surge and Electrical Damage Claims
- Marina Fire Insurance Claims
- Boat Liability Insurance Australia
- Total Loss and Constructive Total Loss Boat Claims
- Marina Berth Boat Insurance Australia
- Boat Insurance Claims Australia: Incidents and Disputes