What are Michigan’s boat insurance requirements?

Michigan doesn't mandate boat insurance, but you'll want to be insured before you head out on the water. The Great Lakes State has plenty of boating opportunities. Progressive has a long list of coverages available for Michigan boat insurance, with multiple discounts to help you save even more.

How can I lower my boat insurance rate in Michigan?

Discounts vary by state, but in Michigan, you may be able to lower your insurance rate with: Prompt payment: Pay on time, every time, and receive a discount on your rates. Advanced quote: Shop in advance for your Michigan boat insurance policy to potentially save on your premiums. Responsible driver: If you haven't had a watercraft or motor vehicle accident in the last three years, you may qualify for a significant discount. Pay in full: Receive a discount on your overall rates by paying your policy up front and in full.

Michigan boat insurance

The Great Lakes State gives boaters plenty of opportunities to enjoy beautiful lakes, rivers, and coastal waterways. If you own a pontoon, center console, sailboat, or another type of watercraft, Progressive offers customized and affordable protection for you and your boat, on and off the water. Learn about boat insurance in Michigan, including coverages, discounts, and cost information.

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Is boat insurance required in Michigan?

Boat insurance isn't required by Michigan 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 Michigan.

How much is boat insurance in Michigan?

In 2023, the average annual cost for a Progressive boat insurance policy in Michigan was $329.06.^* However, Progressive offers boat insurance in Michigan 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 Michigan 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 Michigan

If you live in Detroit, Lansing, Ann Arbor or anywhere else in the Great Lakes State, there are multiple ways to get cheap boat insurance. 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
Responsible driver
Safety course
Original owner

Find out more about boat insurance discounts.

What's the best boat insurance in Michigan?

From Grand Rapids to Cheboygan and throughout Michigan, the best boat insurance policy gives you valuable protection at an affordable price. Progressive provides inexpensive coverage that's customized to you and your vessel. 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 Michigan

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.

Michigan boating information

All watercraft, unless exempt, must be registered with the Michigan Department of State and display a registration decal.
In Michigan, a person of less than 14 years of age may not legally operate a personal watercraft under any circumstances.
In Michigan, the USCG requires that all vessels have at least one Type I, II or III personal floating device that is USCG-approved and of the proper size for each person on board or being towed.