What are Minnesota's boat insurance laws?

How does Minnesota boat insurance work?

Boat insurance can protect you from unexpected losses like storm damage, fire, and vandalism. It can also provide coverage if your boat is damaged by events outside your control, like weather or collisions with another boat or object. Liability coverage can cover costs you incur if you're responsible for another person's injuries or property damage.

Even though there are no Minnesota boat insurance laws that require a policy, some marinas require a certain amount of liability coverage before allowing you to moor on their property. Lenders may also ask that you carry comprehensive and collision coverage until your loan is fully paid off.

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

Bodily injury and property damage liability coverage helps cover damages to another person's property or pay their medical expenses if you're found responsible for them. Property damage liability helps cover damage to other boats, marinas, and structures. Bodily injury liability helps cover medical expenses if a guest is injured while on your vessel or if you cause an injury while piloting your boat. As with any liability coverage, choose a limit that best protects you and your assets. If you need more than a $500,000 liability limit, an umbrella policy can offer extra protection, typically up to $5 million. Learn more about boat insurance liability coverage.

Wreckage removal helps pay for the removal of your boat if it sinks, should removal be legally required by your state.

Fuel spill coverage can help cover legally required cleanup costs that result from a fuel spill, no matter how that spill happened.

Watersports coverage helps cover medical expenses from accidents your passengers may suffer while taking part in water-based sports like skiing or wakeboarding.

Optional boat coverages

Comprehensive and collision will likely be required by your lender if you're financing your boat. Comprehensive covers the cost to replace or repair your boat for events outside of your control, such as your boat sinking, or even vandalism. If you store your boat during the off-season, comprehensive coverage will still protect it from unexpected damage, such as a tree branch falling on it. Collision coverage protects against damages caused by running into another object, whether it's a submerged obstacle in the water or another boat. Learn more about comprehensive and collision coverage for boats.

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

Propulsion Plus^® coverage helps pay for repairing or replacing the lower units of an outboard motor or the upper and lower units of an inboard motor if you have a mechanical breakdown, even if it's caused by wear and tear.

See all available boat insurance coverages.

How much is boat insurance in Minnesota?

Minnesota has a short boating season due to cold winters, so the annual cost of boat insurance is on the lower end. In addition to the type of coverage you opt for, many factors determine the cost of Minnesota boat insurance, including:

• Your age: Generally, the older you are, the more affordable your rate may be.
• Make, model, and year of the boat: Insuring larger, older, or more expensive boats often leads to higher premiums.
• Boating experience: More experienced boaters may pay less for boat insurance than newer boaters.
• Claims history: This may include both accidents in which you were at fault and not at fault.

How can I lower my boat insurance rate in Minnesota?

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

• Multi-policy: Bundle your boat insurance policy with another policy like homeowners, renters, or auto and receive a discount.
• Original owner: If you're the boat's original owner and you have both comprehensive and collision coverage, you can receive a discount.
• Advanced quote: Purchase your policy at least one day before it goes into effect to receive a discount. Purchase it at least a week in advance for an even larger discount.
• Prompt payment: Pay on time, every time, and receive a discount on your rates.

See if you qualify for more boat insurance discounts.

How to get boat insurance in Minnesota