North Dakota boat insurance

Although land-locked, North Dakota has a wealth of rivers and lakes, making it a boater's paradise. Whether you have a fishing boat, powerboat, or other personal watercraft, a Progressive boat insurance policy offers affordable protection before you head out to Lake Sakakawea or any of North Dakota's many beautiful lakes. Learn about boat insurance in the Peace Garden State, including coverages, discounts, and cost information.

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Does North Dakota require boat insurance?

Boat insurance isn't required by North Dakota 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 North Dakota.

How much is boat insurance in North Dakota?

In 2023, the average annual cost for a Progressive boat insurance policy in North Dakota was $333.52.^* However, Progressive offers boat insurance in North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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, or motorcycle.

How to lower the cost of boat insurance in North Dakota

If you live in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, or anywhere else in the Peace Garden State, there are multiple ways to attain cheap boat insurance in North Dakota. 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
Safety course
Original owner
Responsible driver

Find out more about boat insurance discounts.

What's the best boat insurance in North Dakota?

Whether you're in Fargo, Grand Forks, or any other city in North Dakota, the best boat insurance policy offers customized protection at an affordable price. Progressive provides inexpensive and dependable protection that's personalized to you and your boat. Plus, we don't require a marine survey 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 North Dakota

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.

North Dakota boating information

Boat operators in North Dakota ages 12 to 15 years old must pass a boater safety course and carry a boater education card to operate a PWC or boat with 10 hp or more.
Per North Dakota law, life jackets are mandated for children 10 years or younger.
Owners of any watercraft propelled by motors must register their vessels with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.