Marine Trade Insurance Explained: A Q&A with Michael, Marine Trades Specialist at Topsail
.jpg)
For this month’s feature, we sat down with Michael Wilson, Senior Marine Trade Account Executive at Topsail, to learn more about his background, his life on the water and how he supports Marine Trade businesses across the UK and beyond.
Q: How did you first get into insurance?
I grew up around it. My father was an insurance broker for forty years and I spent my school holidays helping in his office, doing everything from filing to admin, claims and generally helping out to earn some ‘pocket money’.
After taking a year out delivering boats around Europe, I joined the business full time after university and began working through my Chartered Insurance Institute exams. More than twenty years later, I’m still in the industry and still enjoying it.
Q: Sailing seems to be a big part of your life. How did that begin?
.jpg)
My family has always sailed. My grandfather raced in Falmouth and my father took me sailing from the age of six on our 24ft boat, first from Axmouth then the River Exe. I eventually skippered the boat myself, passed my Yachtmaster, owned a Moody 36 for ten years and now sail a Nauticat 43 which I’ve had for eleven years.
I regularly sail along the South Coast with my dog, Bosun. I also enjoy joining friends and other crews to race at regattas, as my Nauticat is a little too big to drag round a racecourse.
In recent years I’ve also taken part in charity challenges with Bosun, including a 100km dog-walking challenge for Dementia UK in memory of my mum. We raised £556 and even crossed paths with James May who was fundraising on his bike at the same time.
Q: Do you have any favourite places you’ve sailed?
.png)
Lots of them. I’ve had memorable trips to Ireland, Scotland, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and parts of the Mediterranean. The Isles of Scilly, when the weather plays ball, are unbeatable and the islands off the west coast of France are always beautiful.
Q: What kinds of Marine Trade businesses do you support at Topsail?
The variety is one of the things I enjoy most. Marine Trade covers a wide mix of work and we regularly support businesses such as:
- Mobile marine tradesmen
- Small niche marine specialists
- Sailing clubs
- Commercial craft operators
- Mooring and servicing companies
- Boatyards
- Marinas
- Marine civil engineering businesses
- British boatbuilders
We work with a panel of specialist marine insurers which means we can help arrange the right cover for all types of marine businesses.
Q: What does Marine Trade Insurance typically cover?
Marine Trade Insurance can include several types of protection depending on the business. These may include:
- Material Damage: Cover for buildings, contents, stock and equipment.
- Public Liability: Protection for liabilities to third parties during day-to-day operations.
- Products Liability: Cover for businesses that manufacture or supply products.
- Employers’ Liability: A legal requirement if you employ staff, providing cover up to £10 million.
- Hull and Machinery: For commercial vessels, including options for increased value.
- Third Party Liability or P&I: Cover for damage or injury to others, with specialist P&I options for larger or more complex risks.
- Crew Liability: Protection for yacht and motorboat owners who employ crew.
There are also additional complementary products depending on the nature of the work. If in doubt, we always encourage businesses to get in touch so we can talk through their setup.
Q: How can Marine Trade businesses contact you?
Anyone in the sector is welcome to call the office on +44 (0) 1273 57 37 27, send an email to enquiries@topsailinsurance.com or complete the Marine Trades enquiry form on our website.
Whether a business is long-established or just getting started, we’re here to help them find the cover that fits.
.jpg)
