Boat owners are being urged to contact their insurers before switching to lithium-ion batteries to check their insurance will still be valid.
PBO contributor Will Renilson of Beccles, Suffolk, had been looking to change to lithium-ion batteries for his domestic battery bank after his 440Ah AGM (absorbed glass mat) domestic battery bank failed for a second time aboard his Jersey 36, Jersey Lass.
He said: “I’ve been especially careful with my usage versus charging regime after losing the battery bank the first time but now it is gone again after less than two years. It’s quite frustrating as they’re very expensive batteries.”
Will contacted his insurer and was told changing batteries, particularly to lithium-ion, ‘would impact cover’ unless the changes were agreed by the insurer and met an extensive list of requirements.
“I was told that a spate of claims regarding boat battery fires over the last 18 months has prompted many insurers to tighten their requirements for policyholders,” he said.
“The underwriter said lithium-ion batteries will impact the cover unless the insurer has agreed all the details including: where the batteries have been manufactured; whether they are new; kept in a controlled and protected environment; how the charging is undertaken and monitored; if the charge occurs overnight; whether appropriate fire extinguishers are kept close by (as foam and water extinguishers will not work against these types of fires); where batteries are stored; confirmation that unused batteries will be kept in a sealed protective fireproof box; what fire protections are in place when charging to ensure no charge fluctuations occur which can lead to overheating fire and thermal runaway; and whether charging occurs on the vessel or onshore; and what protections are in place to ensure no water contamination which can lead to thermal runaway.”
Asking the experts
Will also spoke ‘in depth’ to PBO guru Stu Davies and the teams at Eco Bat and Trojan, as well as his marine engineer, and while still tempted by lithium-ion batteries, the “hideously expensive” price means he will instead “try Trojan lead acid batteries and change my usage and charging methods.”
A spokesperson for insurers Navigators & General said: “We recognise that lithium-ion batteries have advantages and disadvantages. Navigators & General has produced a helpful guide to help boat owners understand the risks associated with these and help them make informed choices. We would always recommend customers contact their insurer or insurance broker to discuss any changes before starting any work so they can ensure they have
