Nautilus is a specialist marine insurer covering 45,000+ vessel owners across New Zealand and Australia. Backed by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited, Nautilus offers tailored cover for pleasurecraft, commercial vessels, and marine businesses. We have aggregated available ratings and industry data to give you the full picture.
In This Review
What is Nautilus Marine Insurance and who is behind it?
Nautilus Marine Insurance is the trading name of Nautilus Marine Underwriting Agency Ltd, a specialist marine insurer that has been operating across New Zealand and Australia since 2005. Part of the NM Insurance group, Nautilus focuses exclusively on marine insurance - covering everything from weekend pleasurecraft to commercial fishing fleets.
All Nautilus policies are underwritten by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (ZAIL), a globally recognised insurer with strong financial backing. This underwriting arrangement gives policyholders confidence that claims will be paid, even for significant losses. With over 45,000 vessel owners insured across Australasia, Nautilus has built a strong track record in the specialist marine sector over 17+ years.
Nautilus differentiates itself from general insurers by offering marine-specific expertise, agreed value policies, and cover options tailored to how boat owners actually use their vessels. Their claims team includes marine surveyors and specialists who understand the unique challenges of watercraft damage, salvage, and repair.
Nautilus operates through a network of marine insurance brokers and also offers direct policies. Quotes can be obtained online or over the phone, with policies typically tailored to the specific vessel and usage pattern.
How customers rate Nautilus across major review platforms
Note on ratings: As a specialist marine insurer, Nautilus has fewer mainstream consumer reviews compared to large general insurers. Their Google rating of 4.2/5 from 280+ reviews provides the most reliable customer sentiment. The 45,000+ policyholder base across NZ and Australia and 17+ years of operation speak to the brand's stability in the marine sector. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
Common themes from 350+ reviews and industry feedback
Had a collision at the marina and the claim was handled quickly. They clearly understand boats and the unique risks involved - something my old general insurer never did.
Been insuring my launch and trailer with Nautilus for six years. The agreed value option gives me confidence that I know exactly what I would receive if something happened.
Storm damage claim was handled professionally. Their marine surveyor understood exactly what repairs were needed, which sped up the whole process compared to a standard insurer.
Premiums are not the cheapest but the specialist cover and agreed value policy are worth it for a boat worth over $100k. You get what you pay for.
The claims team was responsive and professional. Only small criticism is that the website could use a refresh - it feels a bit dated compared to newer insurers.
Would have liked a fully digital quote process. Had to call to get my yacht insured. The cover itself is excellent though - proper marine-specific policy wording.
Reviews are paraphrased summaries of customer feedback. Theme percentages are based on our analysis of the most recent 200 Google and Trustpilot reviews as of March 2026.
What you can insure with Nautilus Marine Insurance
Comprehensive cover for recreational boats, yachts, jet skis, and other personal watercraft. Nautilus's core product, with agreed value options, race risk cover, and trailer cover included.
Cover for commercial fishing boats, charter vessels, ferries, and workboats. Tailored policies for businesses that depend on their vessels, with business interruption options.
Specialised cover for marina operators, including property damage, public liability, and protection for vessels in their care. Designed for the unique risks of marina operations.
Cover for boat builders, repairers, marine engineers, and other marine trades professionals. Includes liability for vessels in your care and tools of trade.
Cover for yacht clubs and sailing organisations, including property, liability, and event cover. Designed for the specific risks of club operations and member activities.
The good and the not-so-good based on customer reviews and our analysis
How much does Nautilus marine insurance cost? Indicative examples based on market data
Marine insurance premiums vary significantly based on vessel type, value, age, usage, and mooring location. Unlike car insurance, there is no simple one-size-fits-all price. Here are indicative annual premiums for common vessel types based on market data and customer reports:
Disclaimer: These are indicative estimates based on publicly available market data and reported customer experiences, not official Nautilus quotes. Your actual premium will depend on your vessel, location, experience, and claims history. Get an accurate quote at nautilusinsurance.co.nz. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
Sailboats, launches, jet skis, and commercial vessels all attract different premiums. Higher-value vessels cost more to insure.
Where your vessel is kept matters. Marina berths typically attract lower premiums than swing moorings. Cyclone-prone regions cost more.
Coastal-only vessels cost less to insure than those with offshore or blue-water cruising coverage. Extended cruising areas increase premiums.
Boating qualifications, years of experience, and claims history all influence premium pricing. Clean records are typically rewarded.
Older vessels may attract higher premiums or require a marine survey before cover is offered. Well-maintained vessels in good condition fare better.
Recreational use is cheaper than commercial or racing use. If you race your yacht, expect a premium loading or separate race risk cover.
Nautilus vs. other NZ marine and general insurers
| Feature | Nautilus | Mariner Insurance | Vero | Tower | AA Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.2/5 350+ reviews | 4.0/5 | 3.9/5 | 4.0/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Marine Specialist | ✅ Yes - marine only | ✅ Yes - marine only | ❌ General insurer | ❌ General insurer | ❌ General insurer |
| Pleasurecraft Cover | ✅ Comprehensive | ✅ Comprehensive | ✅ Available | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| Commercial Vessels | ✅ Available | ✅ Available | ✅ Available | ❌ Not available | ❌ Not available |
| Agreed Value | ✅ Standard | ✅ Available | Varies | Varies | Market value |
| Underwriter | Zurich (ZAIL) | Various | Vero (Suncorp) | Tower Ltd | IAG NZ |
| Online Quoting | Partial | Broker-based | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Bundle Discount | ❌ Marine only | ❌ Marine only | ✅ Multi-policy | ✅ Multi-policy | ✅ Multi-policy |
| Est. Annual Premium (small boat) | $450-700 | $500-750 | $500-800 | $550-800 | $500-750 |
Disclaimer: Ratings are aggregated from Google, Trustpilot, and industry sources where available. Pricing is indicative based on market comparisons and customer reports for a typical 5-6m recreational vessel valued around $25,000. Features and pricing may change - verify directly with each insurer. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
Other NZ marine insurers worth considering if Nautilus does not fit your needs
Another specialist marine insurer operating in the NZ market. Offers pleasurecraft and commercial vessel cover with a broker-based model. May suit boat owners who prefer working through a marine insurance broker.
NZ-owned general insurer with boat insurance available as part of a broader product range. May suit boat owners who want to bundle marine cover with home, contents, and car insurance for potential multi-policy discounts.
New Zealand's largest general insurer offers boat insurance alongside its full product range. May suit boat owners who value AA Membership benefits, face-to-face service, and the convenience of having all policies with one provider.
Part of the Suncorp Group, Vero offers marine insurance through brokers. With capacity for both pleasurecraft and commercial marine, Vero is an option for boat owners who want a large, established insurer backing their policy.
Nautilus may suit some boat owners more than others
If you own a vessel valued at $50,000+ and want specialist cover with agreed value protection, Nautilus's marine-focused expertise may be a good fit.
If you run a charter business, commercial fishing operation, or marine trade, Nautilus offers tailored commercial marine cover that general insurers typically cannot match.
If you operate a marina, yacht club, or boat dealership, Nautilus provides specialised business cover designed for the unique risks of marine operations.
If you race your yacht or cruise offshore, Nautilus offers race risk and extended navigation cover that many general insurers either exclude or charge heavily for.
Compare.org.nz's editorial assessment of Nautilus Marine Insurance
Nautilus Marine Insurance has built a solid reputation as one of Australasia's leading specialist marine insurers. With 45,000+ vessel owners insured and policies underwritten by Zurich Australian Insurance Limited, Nautilus offers the kind of marine-specific expertise that general insurers often lack. Their 4.2/5 Google rating from 280+ reviews reflects generally positive customer sentiment, particularly around claims handling and specialist knowledge.
The key advantage of Nautilus is depth of marine expertise. Agreed value policies, race risk cover, commercial vessel options, and a claims team that includes marine surveyors are features that set specialist marine insurers apart. For boat owners with vessels valued over $50,000, or those with commercial marine needs, this specialist approach can make a meaningful difference at claim time.
The tradeoffs are the lack of bundling options, a less polished digital experience compared to modern general insurers, and premiums that may be higher than basic boat cover from a general insurer. For simple, lower-value recreational boats, a general insurer with multi-policy discounts may offer better overall value. For serious boat owners, commercial operators, and anyone who wants marine-specific cover from a specialist provider, Nautilus is well worth considering.
Common questions about Nautilus Marine Insurance
How we research and rate insurance companies
This review is based on data collected from the following sources, last verified in March 2026:
Our editorial scores (out of 10) are calculated using a weighted methodology that considers:
Disclaimer: Nothing on this page constitutes financial advice. Scores are editorial opinion based on publicly available data. Always verify details directly with your insurer and consider seeking professional advice for your specific situation. We do our best to keep all data up to date and accurate. If you've noticed something incorrect, please let us know.
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