Nautilus Marine Insurance - NSW

The story

Nautilus Marine Insurance Agency opened in April 2005, focused purely on recreational boats. It began working with boat manufacturers in 2008 and crossed to New Zealand in 2010. In 2013 the business was renamed NM Insurance, and in 2014 Steadfast Group took a majority stake. It launched sister brand Proteus Marine Insurance for commercial marine in 2015, and opened its Victorian and Western Australian offices in October 2024. Nautilus celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025.

What stands out

• Agreed value for new boats: brand-new boats bought from a dealer are insured for an agreed value for their first two years, so you know what you'd get on a total loss.
• Racing cover: racing is included up to 100 nm from the official start, and entry fees are reimbursed up to $2,000 if something goes wrong.
• Emergency assistance up to $7,000, and pollution clean-up up to $500,000.
• Personal effects: $10,000 on the standard policy and $20,000 on the premium policy, which also replaces marine electronics new-for-old if they're up to three years old.
• Cyclone-friendly for trailer boats: the named-cyclone excess ($5,000 or 5% of the claim) is waived if your boat is on its own trailer.
• Specialist claims team, named a 5-Star Carrier by Insurance Business magazine.

Good to know

• After the two-year agreed-value window, cover moves to market value unless you ask to keep agreed value.
• There's no choice-of-repairer clause, and no extension beyond 250 nm for ocean passages.
• Much of Nautilus's business comes through dealers and brokers, but you can call it directly.

How it compares

Nautilus is strongest for new boats and jet skis, and for Queensland owners worried about cyclones. If choosing your own repairer matters, Club Marine and New Wave both allow it. For ocean passages beyond 250 nm, talk to Pantaenius or Topsail.

Questions to ask before you buy

• Which policy fits my boat: standard, premium pleasure craft or personal watercraft?
• When does my agreed value end, and can I keep it?
• Is my boat covered in a named cyclone where I keep it?
• What's the liability limit on my schedule?

Nautilus also issues layup and currency certificates on request.

North Sydney office

Level 7, 99 Walker Street, North Sydney NSW 2060 · (02) 8920 1157 · NSW@nautilusinsurance.com.au · Postal: PO Box 6156, North Sydney NSW 2059.

Boating on Sydney Harbour? See our guide to marine insurance in Sydney and compare other marine insurance providers. Nautilus also has offices in Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.

Last checked: September 2026. Always read the current PDS for your quote.

Ballina

Ballina sits at the mouth of the Richmond River on NSW’s far‑north coast. It’s a working river entrance with a compact boat harbour, exposed ocean beaches and a changeable, sand‑dominated bar. For coastal cruisers it offers a useful stop between Tweed Heads and Yamba, sheltered estuary cruising upriver and easy access to open ocean passages — but the river entrance is highly condition‑dependent and demands respectful planning and local knowledge.