Boat & watercraft insurance
Powerboats, pontoons, sailboats, fishing boats, Jet Skis and Sea-Doos, Duffy electric boats, houseboats and the trailers that carry them. Tell us what you have and one call finishes it.
Boat & watercraft line
833-844-4357Call center hours
- Monday – Friday8:30 AM – 9:00 PM Pacific Time
- Monday – Friday8:30 AM – 7:00 PM Eastern Time
Tell us about your boat
Five quick questions. No email address needed.
This page is general information, not insurance advice, and it does not change any policy. Coverage varies by carrier, policy form, and state. See our disclaimer.
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What your homeowners policy will not do
This is the single most common misunderstanding about boats, and it usually surfaces at the worst moment.
- Most homeowners policies cover only small, low-powered boats, often under a set length and horsepower
- Watercraft liability is commonly sub-limited to an amount that would not cover a serious injury claim
- Coverage frequently stops once the boat leaves your property
- The trailer, the motor and onboard gear are often treated separately from the hull
- A slip or marina agreement usually requires liability coverage in its own right
Frequently asked questions
Does my homeowners policy already cover my boat?
Generally only for small, low-powered craft, and with very limited liability. Most homeowners forms restrict watercraft by length and horsepower, and cover little once the boat is away from your property. Read the watercraft section of your own policy, and treat anything with real value or speed as needing its own policy.
Is boat insurance required by law?
A few states require liability coverage for certain craft, but far more often the requirement comes from a marina, a slip agreement, or a lender financing the boat. Check the agreement in front of you, since that is usually where the obligation actually sits.
Can several boats go on one policy?
Often yes. A boat and a couple of personal watercraft, or several craft in one household, can commonly be arranged together. Have the year, make, model and length of each ready.
What is the difference between agreed value and actual cash value?
An agreed value policy pays a figure set when the policy is written, without deducting for depreciation. An actual cash value policy deducts depreciation at the time of loss. The distinction matters most on older boats, and it is worth asking about directly.
Does it matter where the boat is kept?
Yes, significantly, and it is not always where you live. A boat in a saltwater slip, on a trailer in a garage, and on a lift at a lake house are three different exposures. Give the actual location where it is moored or stored.
Am I covered when friends drive the boat?
Policies vary on permissive operators, and some restrict coverage by the operator’s age or experience. If people other than you regularly take the helm, say so when you call so the policy is set up to match.
Also on the water and off it: snowmobiles, ATVs, UTVs, or browse all personal insurance.
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