Illinois boat insurance

Is boat insurance required in Illinois?

Boat insurance isn't required by Illinois 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.

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 Illinois.

How much is boat insurance in Illinois?

In 2023, the average annual cost for a Progressive boat insurance policy in Illinois was $318.25^* However, Progressive offers boat insurance in Illinois 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

How to lower the cost of boat insurance in Illinois

Whether you live in Chicago, Schaumburg, Peoria, or anywhere in Illinois, there are several ways to secure cheap boat insurance in The Prairie State. Progressive lets you start saving immediately with a variety of discounts that can be automatically added to your policy, such as:

• Multi-policy
• Association
• Paid in full
• Original owner
• Safety course
  

Find out more about boat insurance discounts.

What's the best boat insurance in Illinois?

From Rockford to Springfield and throughout the Prairie State, the best boat insurance policy offers you the coverages you need at a price you can afford. Progressive provides inexpensive and reliable protection that's customized to you and your boat. Plus, unlike some boat insurers, we don't require a marine survey to get a policy.

Additional boat coverages in Illinois

• 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.

Illinois boating information

1. To operate your vessel legally in Illinois, you must have an Illinois Certificate of Number (registration), expiration decals, and Certificate of Title.
2. Boat registration in Illinois is valid for three years. All certificates expire on September 30 at the end of the three-year period.
3. When operating a boat, you must carry the Illinois Certificate of Number and make it available for inspection by an enforcement officer if required.

How to get Illinois boat insurance