FAQ

FSV is a scheme that can help if you are injured or your property is damaged in an accident involving a speedboat, personal watercraft or similar vessel, and there is no insurance available to cover the damage.

This may be the case if:

• the vessel is uninsured

• the insurance is not valid

• the vessel cannot be identified (for example, if it leaves the scene)

FSV can cover the same types of damage that would normally be covered by third-party liability insurance:

• Personal injury
  If you are injured in an accident, or if you lose a close relative as a result of an accident.

• Property damage
  If your property is damaged, for example your boat, kayak or jetty.

Please note that limits apply to the amount of compensation that can be paid.

FSV can help if:

• the damage was caused by an accident on the water

• the accident involved a speedboat (less than 15 metres in length), a personal watercraft or a similar vessel

• there is no valid third-party liability insurance

This also applies if it is not possible to identify the person responsible for the accident.

A vessel is considered unidentified when it is not possible to determine:

• which vessel was involved

• who was operating it

A typical example would be a personal watercraft that collides with you and then leaves the scene.

If the vessel should have been insured but is not:

• FSV may cover your damage

• FSV will subsequently seek reimbursement from the person responsible

It is illegal to operate a vessel without the required insurance.

The person who operates the vessel, or allows others to operate it, is responsible for ensuring that valid third-party liability insurance is in place.

It is not permitted to operate a vessel without proof of insurance.

If more than one vessel is involved and at least one of them is insured, the insurance companies will determine how liability is shared.

FSV only covers the part of the damage that was caused by an uninsured or unidentified vessel.

This depends on the type of damage involved:

Personal injury

If you have been injured, your own accident insurance may provide compensation, even if there is no liable party.

It is important to note that this does not necessarily mean that you are not entitled to additional compensation under the general rules on compensation.

If there is a liable party, or if FSV steps in because the vessel is unidentified or uninsured, you may also be entitled to compensation for, for example:

• Loss of income

• Pain and suffering

• Permanent injury or long-term consequences of the injury

Property damage

If your property has been damaged, your own insurance company will generally handle the claim first and cover the damage if it is covered under your policy.

• Your own insurance may pay compensation first

• You may also be entitled to additional compensation from a liable party or through FSV

If the vessel is operated by the state, a municipality or a regional authority, FSV does not provide cover. In such cases, you must direct your claim to the relevant public authority.

If you operate a vessel without the required third-party liability insurance:

• you may be fined

• FSV may still compensate the injured party, but you may be required to reimburse the full amount paid by FSV