Idaho boat insurance

From Priest Lake in the northernmost portion of the Idaho panhandle to Lake Pend Oreille, the largest lake in the state, the abundance of lakes in Idaho will thrill any boating enthusiast. Whether you own a pontoon, powerboat, or other type of watercraft, Progressive offers customized and affordable protection for you and your boat. Learn about coverages, discounts, and cost information for boat insurance in Idaho.

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Is boat insurance required in Idaho?

Boat insurance isn't required by Idaho law, but some marinas may mandate boat liability coverage. In addition, if you lease or finance your watercraft, your lender may require comprehensive and collision coverages for your boat, which may pay to repair or replace your damaged or stolen watercraft.

Coverage	What it covers
Bodily injury and property damage liability	What it coversInjuries you're liable for and damage you cause to another boat or property while boating
Comprehensive	What it coversTheft, vandalism, fire, glass breakage, collisions with animals, and weather-related issues
Collision	What it coversCollisions with another watercraft, docks, or objects

If you own your boat outright and you aren't required to carry liability coverage, protecting your watercraft investment — as well as your assets if you cause an accident on the water — can still be important for boaters in Idaho.

How much is boat insurance in Idaho?

In 2023, the average annual cost for a Progressive boat insurance policy in Idaho was $332.91.^* However, Progressive offers boat insurance in Idaho for as little as $100/year for a liability only policy.^** Your cost for boat insurance depends on several factors, such as:

Type of watercraft: From pontoon boats to PWCs, your boat's unique features may influence your rate
Boating experience: Experienced boaters may pay less for boat insurance than boaters new to operating a watercraft
Claims history: If you've filed an insurance claim in the past, regardless of fault, you may pay more for a boat policy
Horsepower: A powerboat with a large engine may cost more to insure than a sailboat with a smaller engine

Boaters in Idaho can save on boat insurance by bundling insurance policies with Progressive. Get a multi-policy discount when you combine boat insurance with auto, homeowners, renters, RV, or motorcycle.

How to lower the cost of boat insurance in Idaho

Whether you live in Boise, Nampa, or Meridian, or anywhere else in The Gem State, there are multiple ways to obtain cheap boat insurance in Idaho. Progressive lets you start saving immediately with a variety of discounts that can be automatically added to your policy, such as:

Multi-policy
Paid in full
Original owner
Responsible driver
Safety course

Find out more about boat insurance discounts.

What's the best boat insurance in Idaho?

Throughout The Gem State, the best boat insurance offers the coverages you need at an affordable price. Progressive specializes in providing inexpensive and dependable protection that's personalized to you and your boat. Plus, unlike some boat insurers, we don't require a marine survey in order to get a policy.

Pro tip:

Auto insurance may pay for injuries or damages you cause while towing your boat trailer, but it won't pay for damage to your trailer. However, a boat insurance policy can pay to repair or replace your damaged boat trailer up to your policy's limits.

Additional boat coverages in Idaho

Sign & Glide®: If your boat is stuck on the water, Sign & Glide® towing assistance^†† can help with on-water towing, jump starts, fuel delivery,^† and more.
Propulsion Plus® mechanical breakdown coverage: In the event of a mechanical breakdown, Progressive can pay to repair or replace the lower unit of an outboard motor or the upper and lower units of an inboard/outboard motor (coverage doesn't apply to jet drives or inboard motors).
Wreckage removal: If your boat sinks, we can pay to remove your boat from the water.
Fuel spill: Progressive covers the cost of legally required cleaning that comes with spilled fuel.
Watersport coverage: If your guests are injured from water-tubing, water-skiing, and other related sports, we may cover their medical expenses up to a certain limit.
Fishing equipment or carry-on items: If your fishing equipment or other gear is lost or stolen, you can receive the full replacement cost up to $10,000 for fishing gear, scuba gear, phones, and other items. There’s a $1,000 limit per item.

See all Progressive boat insurance coverages.

Idaho boating information

In Idaho, you must have an Idaho Certificate of Number and validation stickers to operate your vessel legally on Idaho waters.
All recreational boats in Idaho must have at least one Type I, II, or III life jacket, also known as a personal flotation device, that's U.S. Coast Guard approved.
The owner of any boat and any non-motorized vessel must buy and display an Idaho Invasive Species Fund sticker to legally operate the boat on Idaho waters.