Fisherman
Insurance

Our Fisherman policy offers cover for small to medium fishing operations, whether they’re individual vessels or fleets. It can even provide cover for your catch. The Fisherman policy could be right for you if:

  • You’re the owner-operator of inshore fishing vessels
  • Your vessels are up to 30 metres in length
  • Your vessels are NZ$1 million in value or less

Our plain English policy wording covers specified risks, and is based on the Institute Fishing Vessel Clauses.

Need to claim?

If you own or operate a commercial vessel and you need to make a claim, please follow our Hull claims procedure, and Emailsend us an email.

For after–hours emergency assistance in New Zealand, call Sedgwick on Call us0800 800 270.

Physical loss or damage

Our Fisherman cover applies to the vessel, and to any special equipment or fishing gear you own or have leased. Your vessel and equipment are covered on water and on land.

You're covered for

  • Loss or damage to the vessel, dinghy or fishing gear while afloat, ashore or in transit
  • Continuous cover if part of the vessel is temporarily removed (the sum insured is split proportionally)
  • Search and rescue costs up to NZ$5,000 
  • Crew’s personal effects up to NZ$2,500
  • Replacement costs for fire extinguishers and safety flares up to NZ$1,000
  • Overtime costs for expedited repairs, if agreed in writing

Optional cover is available for

  • Accidental physical loss or damage to the vessel’s trailer
  • Loss of catch held on board, for specific named perils, such as perils of the seas, fire, explosion, jettison and theft and/or burglary
  • Mortgage repayments if damage covered under your policy prevents the vessel from earning

Liability & defence cover

Our Fisherman policy includes cover for some of your liabilities as a commercial fishing operation.

You're covered for

  • Your third party legal liability, incurred through the use of the vessel, for:
    • damage to another vessel from collision
    • loss of life or bodily injury to people other than crew and employees
    • loss or damage to third party property as a result of transportation of the vessel on land
    • loss or damage to property like jetties, wharves, buoys and cables
    • removal of wreck
  • Some aspects of pollution liability including costs incurred to minimise or prevent pollution (specifically excluded under IFV Clauses) up to a maximum of NZ$250,000
  • Punitive or exemplary damages (specifically excluded under IFV Clauses) up to a maximum of NZ$250,000
  • Legal defence costs for representation at Maritime New Zealand, TAIC or Coroner inquiries up to a maximum of NZ$25,000
  • NZ$250 a day for attending court proceedings at our request.

Optional cover extensions

  • Statutory liability: Covering defence costs for alleged breaches of New Zealand’s Resource Management, Maritime Transport or Health & Safety in Employment Acts
  • Employer’s liability: Covering your legal liability for an employee sustaining personal injury in New Zealand that arises from their employment in operating any insured vessel

Not quite what you’re looking for?

If the products above don’t quite suit your needs, have a look at these related marine hull insurance products, or get in touch with a broker for personalised help.

PleasureCraft

Commercial Hull

Commercial Fishing Vessel

Helmsman

Boat Builders

Get insured with Vero

For expert advice on how Vero can help you with your insurance needs, talk to a broker or adviser. Our locator helps you find a broker or adviser near you.

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Important information

Excesses, terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply to these policies. Please check the policy wording for details of cover. The provision of cover is subject to the underwriting criteria that apply at the time.

Our website provides general information about our products and services to help you make choices when it comes to protecting the things in life and business that really matter and is not intended to be financial advice. For advice on product suitability, please contact your financial adviser.