What does boat insurance cover?

What are the typical boat insurance coverages?

Liability

Boat liability coverage may pay for damages or injuries you’re responsible for while on the water, up to the limits of your policy. Liability coverage encompasses damage you cause to docks, pilings, and other boats as well as injuries to your passengers and other boaters. Most policies include coverage for your passengers who are involved in watersports like tubing, wakeboarding, and waterskiing. In many cases, liability coverage will also pay for fuel spill remediation and wreckage removal if your watercraft sinks and is required to be removed.

Comprehensive and collision

Comprehensive coverage protects your watercraft against damages from events outside of your control, including theft and vandalism, explosions, and fire, falling trees and objects, hurricanes, lightning, and other weather-related issues.

Collision coverage can pay for damage to your boat if you collide with another watercraft or object (even if it’s submerged), regardless of fault. You’re also covered if your boat capsizes.

Assuming these coverages are included on your boat policy, your watercraft’s furnishings, fittings, motors, anchors, fuel tanks, batteries, and onboard safety equipment may be covered if damage results from a covered incident. Learn more about comprehensive and collision coverage for boats.

Uninsured/underinsured boater

Uninsured/underinsured boater coverage pays for your and your passengers' injuries if you're hit by a boater with no insurance or not enough coverage, up to the limits of your policy.

Medical payments

Medical payments coverage pays for the medical bills for you and your passengers if you’re in a covered accident, regardless of fault. In some states, this coverage will begin once you’ve exhausted your health insurance coverage limits.

Fishing equipment or carry-on items

Some boat insurance companies may offer to cover the replacement of fishing equipment and personal property like scuba gear, marine binoculars, or any items that are lost or stolen.

Learn more about Progressive’s available boat insurance coverages, including our Propulsion Plus® mechanical breakdown coverage, total loss replacement, and roadside assistance for your boat trailer.

What is full coverage boat insurance?

The term “full coverage” is a myth when it comes to motor vehicle insurance, and the same holds true for watercraft. There isn’t any type of boat insurance policy that can cover you in all situations. However, if you finance your watercraft, your lender may use the term “full coverage” which typically means they’re requiring you to carry a boat policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, sometimes referred to as hull coverage.

What does boat insurance not cover?

Boat insurance generally won't cover maintenance or general wear and tear, including gradual weathering and deterioration, insect damage, mold, or damage from animals or marine life.

Learn more about how boat insurance works and how much boat insurance costs.