An outboard motor is not only an engine for your boat, but also a serious financial investment. Yamaha F20 or Mercury 15M starting 200,000 rublesAnd powerful models like this. Suzuki DF300 can do 1.5–2 millionThe risks of damage or loss of the motor on the water are higher than that of the car: impacts on underwater obstacles, corrosion from salt water, theft from a pier or even falling into the water during unsuccessful transportation.
The transom outboard motor insurance is a way to protect yourself from unexpected expenses, but not all policies are equally useful: some cover only theft, others cover breakdowns, others include liability to third parties. What kind of insurance to chooseHow much it costs, and how not to run into a refusal to pay.
The thing about outboard motors is that they're mounted on the trunk of the boat and they're easy to remove -- it's both a plus (convenience of transportation) and a minus (increased risk of theft), and insurance companies take this into account when calculating tariffs, like the motor. Honda BF10 In Moscow, it will cost insurance on 3-5% of its value yearly, and for Tohatsu 9.8 In Krasnodar region, the tariff may increase to 7–8% Due to high levels of hijacking in the region.
What risks cover the insurance of the outboard motor
A standard outboard policy includes a few basic risks, but you can expand the list for an additional fee.
- 🔧 Breakdowns and mechanical damage - from hitting a snag, hitting foreign objects in the screw or factory defect (if the engine is new).
- 🚨 Theft or theft - is relevant for motors that are stored in open parking lots or berths.
- 🌊 Damage from natural disasters Storm, hail, flooding (but not all companies cover it by default).
- 🔥 Fire or explosion Rare but possible risk, especially if fuel is not stored properly.
- 🚤 Responsibility to third parties If your motor damages someone else’s boat or causes harm to your health.
But there are nuances. corrosion This is often removed from the surface if the motor was operated in salt water without regular flushing. damage to the propeller in a collision with underwater objects is covered only if you have confirmation that you were moving at a safe speed (less than 10 km / h) This is stated in the rules of most SCs.
Insurers rarely compensate for damages if the motor is damaged by:
- 🏁 Racing or competitions (even amateur ones).
- 🛠️ Self-repair without certified service.
- 🚫 Drinking operations (this is checked by GIMS protocols).
How much is insurance: tariffs and examples of calculations
The cost of the policy depends on five key factors:
- Cost of the engine The more expensive the model, the higher the premium.
- Operational region In Crimea and the Far East, tariffs are higher due to the risk of hurricanes and high theft.
- Power Motors over 30 hp are more insured because of the greater risk of accidents.
- Storage method If the engine sleeps in the garage, a discount of up to 15%; if in an open parking lot - a premium.
- Franchise The higher it is, the cheaper the policy (but more costs in case of an insured event).
Approximate tariffs for 2026 (for engines worth up to 500 000 rubles):
| Type of coating | Cost, % of the price of the motor | Example Mercury 20M (350,000 rubles) |
|---|---|---|
| Only theft. | 1,5–2,5% | 5 250-8 750 rubles / year |
| Theft + breakdown | 3–5% | 10 500-17 500 rubles / year |
| Full CASCO (all risks) | 5–8% | 17,500-28,000 rubles/year |
| Responsibility to third parties | 0,5–1% | 1 750-3 500 rubles / year |
Discounts are given for:
- 🔐 Installation of alarm or GPS tracker (up to -10%).
- 📝 Accident-free operation in previous years (up to -15%).
- 🏠 Storage in a guarded box (up to -20%).
If you insure the motor with the boat, some companies (for example, Ingosstrakh) give a package discount of up to 25%.
How to get insurance: step-by-step instructions
The process of applying for a policy takes from 15 minutes (online) to 2-3 days (if you need to inspect the engine).
- Choose an insurance company Compare the rates on aggregators like Compare.ru. or sculptingPay attention to feedback on payments (for example, RESO and AlphaInsurance have a high rating on outboard motors).
- Prepare the papers.:
- 📄 The owner's passport.
- 📄 PTS or certificate of registration of the engine (if power > 5 hp).
- 📄 Check or contract of sale (to confirm the value).
- 📸 Photo of the engine with serial number (some SCs require).
- Make, model and year of engine production (e.g. Tohatsu MFS25A2022.
- Serial number (usually on the transom or in the PTS).
- Region and operating conditions (fresh/salt water, frequency of use).
- Pay the policy. - can be by card, through SBP or cash in the office.
- Get the papers. The electronic policy will come to the post office, paper can be picked up at the office.
☑️ Documents for motor insurance
If the engine is new (up to 3 years), some companies (for example, VTB Insurance) offer warranty instead of CASCO - it is cheaper, but covers only factory defects.
What if the engine is not registered in the GIMS?
If the engine power is up to 5 hp, registration is not required - a check or a sales contract is enough. For engines more powerful than 5 hp, you can not issue a policy without registration (this is a requirement of the law).
Top 5 insurance companies for outboard motors in 2026
Not all SCs work with outboard motors, many specialize only in cars or real estate, and we analyzed the reviews of water engines and the conditions of policies to compile a rating:
| Company | Minimum tariff | Features | Rating (by reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha Insurance | 2,8% | Covers Salt Water Damage, Discount for GPS Tracker | 4,7/5 |
| RESO-Guarantee | 3,1% | Fast payouts (up to 5 days), working with motors over 10 years old | 4,5/5 |
| ingosstrakh | 3,5% | Package discounts for boat and motor insurance together | 4,3/5 |
| VTB Insurance | 2,5% | Online checkout in 10 minutes, but no coverage for races | 4,2/5 |
| SOGAZE | 4,0% | Expensive, but covers even self-repair (if there are checks) | 3,9/5 |
Beware of little-known companies with suspiciously low rates (below 2%).
- 🕳️ They're dragging out payments for months.
- 📉 Exclude most risks from coverage (for example, do not pay for damage to the screw).
- 🚫 Refuse payment for formal reasons (for example, if the engine was not washed after salt water).
Before buying a policy, check whether the company has a license from the Central Bank of the Russian Federation for property insurance. Central Bank.
What to do in case of an insured event: an algorithm of actions
If something happened to the engine, act on the steps - it depends on whether you will receive a payment:
- Stop operation immediately. Continue to use the damaged motor = risk of denial of payment.
- Take a picture of the damage. Take all the images, including the serial number, if the engine is stolen, photos of the storage area.
- Make an incident report:
- In case of accident on water - call GIMS (phone)
112). - When stealing - write a statement to the police (attach a copy to the insurance case).
- If you break down, get the conclusion of the service center (for example, Yamaha Service).
- In case of accident on water - call GIMS (phone)
- The policy number.
- Date, time and circumstances of the incident.
- Preliminary damages.
- Wait for the expert. - he'll inspect the engine and make a deed.
- Get paid. Usually transferred to the map within 10-14 days.
⚠️ Attention: If the motor was damaged when towing another boat, the insurance company may refuse payment if the policy does not include cover for "commercial use".
Average time frames for cases:
- 🔧 Breakdown: 5-7 days.
- 🚨 Theft is 10 to 14 days (you have to wait for a response from the police).
- 🌊 Natural disaster - up to 20 days (confirmation from the Ministry of Emergency Situations is required).
If the insurance company delays payment, write an official claim to the head (the sample can be downloaded on the website of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation), in 80% of cases this speeds up the process.
# Frequent reasons for refusals to pay and how to avoid them
Statistics. PSA (Russian Union of Auto Insurance Companies), 3 out of 10 applications The outboard motor insurance is denied, the main reasons are:
| Reason for refusal | How to avoid |
|---|---|
| Non-compliance of the conditions of operation with the policy (for example, use in salt water without additional option) | Read the "Exceptions" section of the contract carefully. If you plan to swim at sea, take the extended cover. |
| Absence of documents (checks for repair, GIMS protocol) | Keep all checks and take photos of the engine before each outing. |
| Self-repair without approval from the SC | Even if you urgently need to repair - first call the insurance and get permission. |
| Violation of storage rules (motor stolen from unlocked garage) | Set an alarm or keep the engine in a guarded box. Some SCs require proof of storage. |
| Disclosure of information during registration (for example, did not report previous breakdowns) | Answer the questions honestly. If the engine used - indicate the actual mileage (in the watch). |
⚠️ Attention: If you bought the motor with your hands and did not re-register the PTS on yourself, the insurance has the right to refuse payment - the policy is valid only for the legal owner.
To minimize the risks, watch out for:
- 📅 The term of the policy – some companies do not automatically renew the contract.
- 📋 Changes in the rules of the UK – for example, from 2026 RESO It was no longer covered by the damage from the bird collision.
- 🔧 Motor condition – if during the inspection the expert finds traces of corrosion or wear, this can cause failure.
FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions
Can I insure a motor over 10 years old?
Yes, but the tariff will be higher (from 6-8% of the cost), and not all companies agree on such engines. RESO-Guarantee and SOGAZE Motor insurance is up to 15 years old, but requires a preliminary inspection.
Does insurance cover damages if the motor falls off a transom during transportation?
Depending on the policy, most UK consider this a “violation of transportation rules” and refuse to pay, and to cover this risk, you need to apply for a policy with the option “Transportation” (an additional 1-2% to the fare).
Do I need to insure a motor up to 5 hp?
The law does not oblige, but the risks are the same: theft, breakdown, accident.Honda BF2.3, Mercury 3.5M) is cheap, from RUB 1,500/year.
Can I get paid in cash instead of by transfer?
Yes, but only if it's written in the contract, most of the UK transfers money to the card, and cash is rarely given out, for example, in offices. ingostrakha upon presentation of the passport.
What if the insurance company lowers the amount of payment?
You have the right to invite your expert (at your own expense), and if the difference in assessment is more than 10%, the IC must pay for his services. If they refuse, complain to the Central Bank of Russia.