Do you need boat insurance?

How much boat insurance do you need?

The amount of boat insurance you need varies based on your location, situation, and preference. While boat insurance is optional by law in 47 states, you may need the following boat insurance coverages:

• Liability: Arkansas and Utah require boat insurance by state law. Hawaii mandates boat insurance for vessels 26 feet or longer. However, regardless of where you reside, the marina where you dock your boat may require a minimum amount of boat liability coverage. Your liability limit should be enough to cover your assets in case you're responsible for injuries and damage in a boating accident.
• Comprehensive and collision: If you finance or lease your boat, your lender may require you to carry a boat policy with comprehensive and collision coverage for protection against physical damage, even when your boat is in storage. Comprehensive covers theft of your watercraft as well as damage from vandalism, fire, and severe weather. Collision can pay to repair or replace your watercraft if it collides with a dock, boat, or any other object.

Even if your boat is paid off and your marina or state doesn't require coverage, boat insurance can be essential in safeguarding your watercraft and your assets. Find out about Progressive's boat insurance coverages.

Do you need insurance for a boat trailer?

While insurance for your boat trailer is optional, damage to your trailer is automatically covered when you add the trailer to your Progressive boat policy. Learn more about boat trailer insurance.

Do you need boat insurance when it's in storage?

Yes, boat insurance can still be important for protecting your boat while it's in storage. Comprehensive coverage can pay to repair or replace your boat, minus your deductible, if damaged by hail or other weather-related perils while it's stored. Comprehensive can also pay to replace your boat if it's vandalized or stolen while in storage, minus your deductible. Plus, if you keep your boat insured, you don't have to reactivate your policy once you're ready to get back out on the water.

Do you need insurance on an older boat or an inexpensive fishing boat?

Even inexpensive watercraft are involved in accidents. While you may decide that paying for physical damage coverages for a boat worth less than a few thousand dollars isn't worth it, boat liability coverage is typically affordable and can still be essential if you're liable for injuries or damages while boating. Learn more about bass and fishing boat insurance.

How to get boat insurance