Nautilus Marine has broadened its commercial insurance offering for New Zealand marine businesses, with boatbuilders and repairers now explicitly covered under expanded policy categories. Marinas, yacht clubs and dealerships are among the target sectors for the expanded programme.
The underwriting agency announced the expansion on 11 November 2026. Distribution remains exclusively through insurance broker partners, with no direct sales to businesses.
Available cover spans business assets, business interruption, dealers' stock, marine trades liability, marine structures, commercial hull and builders' risks. Commercial hull policies are explicitly offered through partner brand Proteus Marine Insurance, while builders' risk wording is also available via Proteus. The latter covers vessels whose construction begins during the policy period, with optional collision liability during testing and sea trials.
The marine trades liability policy, underwritten by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited trading as Zurich New Zealand and administered by Nautilus as agent, took effect on 1 November 2026. The policy covers watercraft in a business's care, though this protection is not automatic. The standard wording contains a physical or legal control exclusion that requires a specific extension—subject to insurer agreement and certificate confirmation—to override.
Hot work cover for welding and similar activities is also optional and carries exclusions for work near fuel tanks and other hazardous circumstances.
The insurer was also named an official insurance partner for the 2027 Auckland Boat Show runs 1-4 April at the Viaduct Events Centre, Jellicoe Harbour and Wynyard Wharf, a partnership welcomed by NZ Marine executive director Callum Gillespie and Marine Industries Association chief executive Suzanne Davies.
Acceptance depends on eligibility, underwriting approval and the specific terms of each policy. Nautilus has not publicly detailed available limits, excesses or declined activities, so brokers will need to confirm these details for individual businesses.
