Boat insurance in New Jersey

How does New Jersey boat insurance work?

Even though boat insurance isn't required in New Jersey, private marinas and docks may require you to show proof of insurance. Your lender may also require boat insurance if you're financing your watercraft.

Even if you're not required to carry boat insurance, you may want to consider a boat insurance policy with liability coverage. This coverage may help safeguard your assets if you're legally responsible for another party's injuries or property damage. Boat insurance may also cover unexpected damage or loss to your watercraft, such as from theft or vandalism, when you carry comprehensive coverage.

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

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 and you are responsible. Property damage liability coverage may pay for damages you caused to another boat, marina, dock, etc., plus legal fees. As with any liability coverage, choose a coverage 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 liability coverage and boat insurance.

Fuel spill covers the cost of cleaning up spilled fuel, if legally required.

Wreckage removal coverage may pay for the removal of your boat from the water in the event it sinks if removal is legally required.

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: Comprehensive 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. If you're financing your boat, your lender will likely require both comprehensive and collision. Learn more about comprehensive and collision coverage for boat insurance.

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

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.

See all boat insurance coverages.

Does Progressive insure yachts?

With well over 100 miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline, New Jersey certainly sees its fair share of yachts. If you're a boater in the state of New Jersey with a yacht over 26 feet, Progressive may help you get the insurance you need.

How much is boat insurance in New Jersey?

New Jersey tends to be a higher-cost state for boat insurance. In addition to the type of coverage you opt for, many factors determine the cost of New Jersey boat insurance, including:

• 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 boating accidents both caused and not caused by you.
• Your age: Generally, the older you are the more affordable your rate may be.

How can I lower my boat insurance rate in New Jersey?

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

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

See if you qualify for more boat insurance discounts.

How to get boat insurance in New Jersey