New York boat insurance

How does New York boat insurance work?

Even though boat insurance isn't mandated in New York, your lender may require you to have boat insurance if you're financing your watercraft. 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 guests out on your boat, a New York boat insurance policy with liability coverage may help pay for their injuries or damaged property if an accident for which you are responsible occurs while they're on board. Boat insurance may also help cover damages to your watercraft due to theft or vandalism, if you carry comprehensive coverage.

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

Property damage liability coverage may pay for damages to another boat, marina, or dock if you 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 and you are responsible. Regarding coverage limits, choose a limit that can best protect you and your assets. An umbrella policy can offer extra protection, typically 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 and liability coverage.

Fuel spill coverage can pay for legally required cleanup costs associated with spilled fuel, no matter how the spill happened.

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

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

Optional boat coverages

Comprehensive and collision: 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 boats and stationary objects, such as buoys and docks. If you're financing your boat, your lender will likely require you to carry both comprehensive and collision on your 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?

The home state of the Big Apple is also the home state of some big yachts. If you're a boater in the state of New York with a yacht over 26 feet, Progressive may help you get the insurance you need.

How much is boat insurance in New York?

Because of the comparatively shorter boating season and the wide variety of rivers and lakes available to state boaters, New York is considered a medium-cost state when it comes to boat insurance. In addition to the type of coverage you opt for, many factors determine the cost of New York boat insurance, including:

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

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

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

• Multi-boat discount: You insure more than one watercraft on your Progressive boat policy.
• Safety course discount: You completed a New York-approved safety course.
• Multi-policy discount: You have another policy with Progressive. Bundling multiple policies can help you save on boat insurance.
• Original owner discount: You're the original owner. If you're the only one whose owned your vessel, you're entitled to a discount.

See if you qualify for more boat insurance discounts.

How to get boat insurance in New York