Topsail Marine Insurance

The story

The Topsail group started in the UK in 1996 and brought its marine insurance expertise to Australia with offices in Perth and Sydney before settling on the Sunshine Coast. Its Australian business was built by Rob Stevens, who spent his career in marine insurance, first underwriting for Lloyd's syndicates and then with London Lloyd's brokers, before moving to Australia to run Topsail here. Today Topsail is owned by Oceanic Marine Risks Pty Ltd.

What stands out

• A panel, not one product. Because Topsail works with several insurers, it can often find cover for boats others won't take on, such as older yachts, bigger boats and unusual cruising plans.
• Claims help. The team administers your claim and acts on your behalf.
• Superyachts. Hull and machinery, protection and indemnity (P&I) and crew personal accident cover for owners, managers and skippers.
• Offshore cruising. Cover is available for vessels cruising offshore as well as in Australian waters.
• Travel insurance for sailors is available too.

How it compares

Topsail is the pick if you want a person, not a portal. It's a real alternative to going direct to Club Marine or Pantaenius, especially for older, larger or offshore boats that can be hard to place. For the same personal approach on the Sunshine Coast with a multihull focus, see Aqua Marine HQ.

Questions to ask before you buy

• Which insurer will my policy be placed with, and can I see its PDS?
• What's my cruising area, and how would offshore or international plans change the cover?
• Who's my account handler, and how do claims work with Topsail acting for me?
• For superyachts: what crew and P&I cover do I need?

Contact

Level 1, Building C, 4-6 Innovation Parkway, Birtinya QLD 4575 · 1300 72 73 24 · contact@topsailinsurance.com.au. Topsail acts as a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 1297607) of QIB Specialty Pty Ltd (AFSL 235365).

See our guide to marine insurance on the Sunshine Coast and compare other marine insurance providers.

Last checked: September 2026. Policy terms depend on the insurer your cover is placed with.

Batemans Bay

Batemans Bay and the Clyde River form a classic NSW South Coast cruising region where a sheltered, tidal estuary meets a short, island‑dotted entrance to the Tasman Sea. It’s distinctive for easy access from Canberra, a mix of river and bay sailing, a compact marina and mooring network, and a river entrance (the Clyde River bar) that can change rapidly. The area suits day sails, weekend cruising, trailer‑boat exploration and sheltered coastal passages; offshore or long‑passage plans require careful timing and local knowledge. Preparation for tidal flow, variable southerly swells and shallow, s