Claims
Outboard locks and security conditions
Marine policies commonly make outboard cover conditional on a specific physical security measure: a purpose-made outboard lock, or the motor being secured with a through-bolted bracket rather than clamp screws alone, or the motor being removed and stowed when the vessel is unattended. Where the condition was not met, the insurer can decline even though the theft plainly occurred.
| Condition you may find | What it requires in practice |
|---|---|
| Approved outboard lock fitted | A dedicated clamp lock, in place and locked, whenever unattended |
| Through-bolted to the transom | Clamp screws alone are not enough above a stated power |
| Removed and stowed when unattended | Applies mainly to small motors on tenders |
| Secured by chain or cable to the vessel | A secondary restraint in addition to the lock |
| Stored in a locked location ashore | Applies to the off-season and to trailered boats |
Outboard ownership and serial-number records
- Original purchase invoice, or a bill of sale and transfer paperwork if bought second-hand.
- Serial number photographed on the motor itself.
- Service records, which also establish condition and hours.
- Photographs of the motor fitted to the vessel, dated.
- Registration paperwork where the motor was registered with the vessel.
Reporting an outboard theft
- Report it to the police immediately and get the reference number.
- Tell the marina, the club or the boat ramp operator — cameras are often overwritten within days, so ask for the footage now.
- Photograph the transom, showing the damaged or cut security device if there was one.
- Notify the insurer the same day.
- Provide the serial number, invoice and photographs with the notification rather than waiting to be asked.
Outboard settlement basis
Outboards are usually settled on market value rather than new-for-old unless the policy says otherwise, and depreciation on a motor more than a few years old is meaningful. Where the outboard is a significant share of the vessel's value — on a tender, a trailer sailer or a small runabout — specifying it separately with an agreed value is worth asking about at renewal.
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.
Related guides
- Boat Insurance Claims Australia: Incidents and Disputes
- Tender and Dinghy Theft Claims
- Boat Theft Insurance Claims Australia
- Agreed Value vs Market Value Boat Insurance
- Boat Insurance Sum Insured: Choosing Your Vessel Value
- Product Disclosure Statement Guide for Boat Insurance