Crew & Personal Accident Cover
Protecting the people aboard — professional crew and owners alike
Crew and personal accident coverage protects the people aboard your vessel — whether professional paid crew, owner-sailors, or guests. In Asian waters where medical facilities can be distant and evacuation expensive, adequate crew medical coverage is as important as hull protection.
What's Covered
- ✓Accidental death and permanent disability benefits
- ✓Medical expenses arising from accidents aboard
- ✓Emergency medical evacuation costs
- ✓Repatriation of crew in medical emergencies
- ✓Crew liability (employer's liability for professional crew)
- ✓Medical expenses for illness contracted during the voyage
What's Not Covered
- ✗Pre-existing medical conditions (unless disclosed and endorsed)
- ✗Crew injured while ashore (separate travel insurance required)
- ✗Non-professional crew under some policies (verify crew definition)
Typical Cost
USD 300–800 per crew member per year for accident and medical cover; varies significantly with age and medical evacuation limits
Ideal For
All vessels with paid crew; strongly recommended for owner-sailors and guests in remote Asian locations
Medical Evacuation in Remote Asian Waters
The most critical component of crew cover for Asian sailors is medical evacuation coverage. In major Asian sailing hubs — Phuket, Singapore, Langkawi — excellent hospital facilities are within reasonable distance. But in the destinations that attract serious sailors — Raja Ampat, Mergui Archipelago, Andaman Islands, the outer Maldivian atolls — the nearest facility capable of handling a serious medical emergency may be hours away by sea and many more hours by air.
Medical evacuation from Raja Ampat to Singapore typically involves: tender to shore, fixed-wing aircraft to Sorong or Manado, then onward to Singapore. Total cost: USD 20,000–50,000 depending on the complexity of the transfer and the required medical equipment aboard the aircraft.
From the Mergui Archipelago (Myanmar), evacuation typically proceeds to Ranong, Thailand, then Phuket. From the outer Maldivian atolls, to Malé, then potentially Colombo or Singapore.
Medical evacuation insurance for these scenarios should: - Include 24/7 emergency coordination (not just cost reimbursement) - Have sufficient limits (minimum USD 250,000 per person recommended for Asian cruising) - Cover international transport to a suitable medical facility, not just to the nearest available - Include a companion travel provision for family members
Separating crew medical from hull insurance allows each to be optimised independently — many crew members also maintain their own personal travel insurance that can act as secondary cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my hull policy cover medical costs for crew aboard?
It depends on the policy. Some comprehensive yacht policies include limited medical coverage for crew and guests aboard. Most serious cruisers purchase separate crew medical/personal accident coverage to ensure adequate limits and 24/7 emergency coordination.
How much medical evacuation cover is enough for Asian sailing?
A minimum of USD 250,000 per person for medical evacuation from remote Asian locations. This covers helicopter, fixed-wing, and hospital costs for evacuation from destinations like Raja Ampat or the Mergui Archipelago to Singapore or Australia.
Get a Quote
Including Crew & Personal Accident Cover