New Zealand yachtsman Bill Heritage, whose inexperienced crew mutinied on a coastal trip last week and forced him to abandon ship, has had his claim denied by his insurer.

But leading pleasurecraft insurer Club Marine says it would have paid the claim.

Mr Heritage, an accountant from Nelson, was sailing his 7.9-metre yacht home from Auckland – “and enjoying myself” – when the three crew allegedly panicked in 25-knot winds at night and set off the emergency position indicating rescue beacon without his knowledge.

They were picked up by a rescue helicopter about 90km off the north-west coast of NZ. Mr Heritage says that without a crew he too had to abandon ship, despite the boat being undamaged and seaworthy.

This week his insurance company, which he identified as AMP, declined his claim on the grounds that the $NZ24,000 ($20,617) yacht was insured only for damage and theft.

But Club Marine CEO Mark Bradley says there is nothing in his company’s policy wording “that would preclude us from paying out on such a claim”.

“That’s presuming that the skipper acted in what he saw as the reasonable best interests of the safety of his crew, himself, his boat and others,” he said. “The master of the vessel is the person best placed to make judgement calls about risk management.”

Mr Heritage told insuranceNEWS.com.au he wasn’t aware he could probably appeal the claim through NZ’s insurance and savings ombudsman service.