What are the Massachusetts boat insurance requirements?

How does Massachusetts boat insurance work?

If you're financing a boat purchase, your lender may require you to have boat insurance to get your loan. Even though Massachusetts laws don't require you to have boat insurance, private marinas and docks may also ask you for proof of insurance before they let you dock your boat at their property.

If you bring people out on your boat who aren't part of your immediate household, a Massachusetts boat insurance policy with liability coverage may protect you if you are responsible for your guests' injuries or property damage. Boat insurance policies may also help cover damages due to theft or vandalism.

What's included in a standard Progressive Massachusetts boat insurance policy?

Property damage liability coverage may pay for damages to another boat, marina, or dock if your boat caused the damage. It may cover legal fees related to the incident as well. Bodily injury liability coverage may help with medical and legal expenses if someone on your boat, on another boat, or in the water is injured. Regarding coverage limits, choose a limit that can best protect you and your assets. An umbrella policy can offer extra protection typically in limits up to $5 million if you need more than the maximum $500,000 liability limit on a typical boat insurance policy. Learn more about boat insurance liability coverage.

Wreckage removal coverage may pay for the removal of your boat from the water in the event it sinks and you are legally required to remove it.

Fuel spill covers legally required clean-up costs associated with spilled fuel, no matter how it happened.

Watersport coverage helps pay for medical costs associated with accidents involved in on-the-water sports such as water-tubing, water-skiing, etc.

Optional boat coverages

Comprehensive and collision: If you're financing your boat, your lender will likely require both comprehensive and collision coverages. Comprehensive coverage covers the cost to replace or repair your boat for events outside of your control, such as fire, theft, and vandalism. This type of coverage may be helpful if you tend to store your boat during the long winter months when your boat isn't in use. On the other hand, collision coverage protects your watercraft from accidents involving other boaters and objects such as buoys and docks. Learn more about comprehensive and collision coverage for boats.

Propulsion Plus® mechanical breakdown: Propulsion Plus mechanical breakdown coverage will help if the lower unit of an outboard motor or the upper and lower units of an inboard/outboard motor suffer a mechanical breakdown — even if it's from wear and tear.

Sign & Glide®^†: Sign & Glide® towing assistance will help if your boat is stuck in the water with on-water towing, jump starts, fuel delivery, and more.

See all boat insurance coverages.

How much is Massachusetts boat insurance?

Boat season isn't long in Massachusetts, but you'll find many sailing opportunities in the Atlantic Ocean. Massachusetts is generally considered to be a higher-cost state when it comes to boat insurance. In addition to the type of coverage you opt for, many factors determine the cost of Massachusetts boat insurance, including:

• Make, model, and year of the boat: Insuring larger, older, or more expensive boats often leads to higher premiums.
• Your age: Generally, the older you are the more affordable your rate may be.
• Claims history: This may include both at-fault and no-fault claims.
• Boating experience: More experienced boaters may pay less for boat insurance than newer boaters.

How can I lower my Massachusetts boat insurance rate?

Discounts vary by state, but in Massachusetts, you may be able to lower your insurance rate if:

• Multi-boat discount: You insure more than one watercraft on your Progressive boat policy.
• Multi-policy discount: You have another policy with Progressive; you can bundle and save on boat insurance.
• Safety course: You completed a Massachusetts-approved safety course.
• Original owner: If you're the original owner, you're entitled to a discount on your boat insurance policy.

See if you qualify for more boat insurance discounts.

How to get Massachusetts boat insurance