States
Queensland compulsory insurance over 15 metres
Maritime Safety Queensland requires ships over 15 metres in length overall to carry insurance sufficient to meet pollution clean-up, salvage and wreck removal costs. For a recreational ship over 15 metres but under 35 metres, the stated requirement is A$250,000 for pollution clean-up and A$10 million for salvage and wreck removal. A domestic commercial vessel in the same size band requires A$500,000 for pollution clean-up and the same A$10 million.
Queensland cyclone season conditions
North of roughly Bundaberg, the November-to-April season drives everything: the rate, the excess structure, and the conditions you carry. Expect a separate named-cyclone excess sitting on top of the standard one, and expect the insurer to ask what your plan is when a warning is issued.
- A named-cyclone excess, usually materially larger than the standard excess.
- A written cyclone plan naming where the vessel goes and who moves it.
- Conditions about being hauled or in an approved refuge by a stated point after a warning.
- Marina cyclone protocols, which may compel you to move the boat regardless of your own plan.
- Limited haul-out and travel-lift capacity, which is why acting early matters more than acting correctly late.
Regional boat insurance risks in Queensland
| Area | What drives the rate there |
|---|---|
| Cairns and the far north | Named cyclone exposure, remoteness from major repair yards |
| Townsville and the Whitsundays | Cyclone season, charter density, reef navigation |
| Mackay and the central coast | Cyclone exposure, tidal range, limited hardstand |
| Moreton Bay and Brisbane | Storm and hail, high vessel density, good repair access |
| Gold Coast | Theft, canal berths, very high vessel density |
Documents for a Queensland boat quote
- The exact marina, mooring or hardstand, not the suburb.
- Whether the vessel is over 15 metres, which engages the compulsory requirement.
- Your cyclone plan, in writing, including the refuge and who executes it.
- Mooring inspection records if the boat is on a swing mooring.
- The full cruising range, including reef and island passages.
- Every excess in the quote, not just the standard one.
Location is the biggest lever on a marine premium
Cyclone exposure, storm surge, marina security and haul-out availability all feed the rate. Give every insurer the same description of where the boat actually lives.
Queensland city and cruising-area guides
A state name is useful for finding the responsible authority, but a quote needs a more precise operating and storage description. Choose the local guide matching your berth, then record any passages outside that normal area.
- Brisbane and Moreton Bay: River or bay berth, mooring inspection and overnight itinerary.
- Gold Coast Broadwater and offshore passages: Home berth, intended offshore route and delivery skipper details.
- Cairns and reef cruising: Seasonal berth plan, reef itinerary and assistance contacts.
- Townsville and nearby island sailing: Home berth, island destinations and severe-weather preparation record.
- Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays: Cruising versus charter use, operator details and seasonal berth.
Related guides
- Boat Insurance in Brisbane
- Boat Insurance in Cairns
- Boat Insurance in Townsville
- Queensland Compulsory Ship Insurance Over 15 Metres
- Cyclone Boat Insurance Australia
- Great Barrier Reef Cruising Insurance
- RACQ Boat Insurance: An Independent Review
- Boat Insurance by State and Territory