Boat Insurance
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Select a line of business to start a comparison quote. If you’re ready to buy, select from the Quote & Buy options:
Rather speak with an insurance agent? Call us: (877) 334-7646
What Is Boat Insurance?
Boat insurance is a specialized policy designed to protect your watercraft—and your financial well-being—when you’re out on the water or docked at home.
It covers damage to the boat itself, including the hull, motor, sails, trailer, and personal property onboard. It also protects you from liability if you accidentally injure someone or damage another person’s property.
Don’t mistake it for a homeowner’s or auto policy. Most homeowners insurance won’t cover damage to your watercraft once it leaves your driveway. And auto insurance won’t protect it at all—on or off the trailer. Boat insurance fills that gap, giving you coverage where it counts: in the real world, on real water.
Why Buy Boat Insurance
Because the water doesn’t care how much you paid for your boat.
It doesn’t care if it’s brand new, or if you’ve been sailing that same hull for twenty summers. Storms roll in. Engines fail. Someone else isn’t watching where they’re going. And just like that, your quiet day on the water becomes a very expensive problem.
Boat insurance is the difference between a ruined afternoon and a recoverable setback. It protects your watercraft, your wallet, and your weekends. Even when your boat’s on land, it’s still at risk—from theft, vandalism, or the unexpected.
You may not need it by law. But if you care about what you’ve built—and where it takes you—it’s essential.
What Does Boat Insurance Cover?
Boat insurance coverage isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s a mix of core and optional coverages that protect your watercraft, the people on board, and your peace of mind.
Core Coverages
- Hull Coverage – To repair or replace your boat’s structure, motor, or equipment if it’s damaged by collision, fire, storm, or vandalism.
- Liability – Protects you if you’re legally responsible for injuries or property damage while boating.
- Medical Payments – Helps with medical bills for you or your passengers, regardless of who’s at fault.
- Uninsured Boater – Covers injuries to you or your passengers if you’re hit by someone with no boat insurance.
- Towing & Assistance – Pays for on-water towing, jump starts, fuel delivery, or other emergency help.
Optional Protection
- Personal Effects Coverage – Insures gear, electronics, and life jackets.
- Agreed Value Coverage – Lock in a pre-determined value for your boat.
- Fuel Spill Liability – Covers cleanup of accidental fuel discharge.
- Wreck Removal – To remove your sunken or wrecked boat.
Need coverage that fits how—and where—you boat? We’ll help you build the right policy.
Types of Boats We Insure
Powerboats
Sailboats
Fishing Boats
Pontoon Boats
Do You Need Special Boat Coverage?
Some boats need more than a standard policy.
If you own a high-performance model, use your boat for paid charters, or live on board full-time, you’ll likely need special endorsements or a policy built for that purpose. These aren’t edge cases—they’re everyday uses that fall outside most basic boat coverage.
Insurers look at how, where, and why you use your watercraft. Speed, horsepower, hull design, even your marina location—they all matter.
The key is knowing what qualifies as “special use” before a claim ever happens. That’s where we come in. We’ll help you avoid coverage gaps and make sure your boat is protected the way you actually use it.
How Much Does Boat Insurance Cost?
There’s no flat rate for boat insurance. And that’s a good thing.
What you pay depends on what you drive, where you keep it, and how you use it. A 17-foot fishing boat stored in your garage will cost less to insure than a twin-engine powerboat kept at a coastal marina.
Insurers look at factors like:
- The size, type, and value of your watercraft
- Where you boat—lake, river, coastal, or offshore
- Your boating experience and claims history
- Storage and security
- The coverages and limits you choose
On average, most boaters pay anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars a year. But the real question isn’t “What’s the cheapest policy?”—it’s “What coverage gives me the confidence to launch without worry?”
That’s where we come in. We’ll help you find the right protection at a price that makes sense.
Boat Insurance Discounts
Insurance shouldn’t cost more than it has to. Smart boaters get rewarded — with real savings for doing things right.
You may qualify for boat insurance discounts if you:
- Complete a certified boating safety course
- Bundle your boat policy with home or auto
- Store your boat securely during the off-season
- Have a clean driving and claims record
- Choose a policy with a lay-up period
- Insure multiple watercraft
Every carrier does it differently, but the result is the same: more coverage, less cost. We’ll help you find every discount you’re eligible for—so you can spend less on insurance, and more time on the water.
Ways to Buy Boat Insurance
No two boaters shop the same way. That’s why we make it easy to get covered—on your terms.
- Start Online – Quick, private, and always open. Get a quote without picking up the phone.
- Talk to an IronPoint Agent – Prefer real help from someone who knows the ropes? Call us. You’ll talk to an agent who knows boats—and how to insure them properly.
However you start, you’ll end up in the same good place: with a policy that fits, backed by carriers you can trust. And if something ever goes wrong, you’ll already know who to call.
What You Need to Get a Boat Quote
You don’t need to know everything about your boat to get started—but a few basic details go a long way in helping us find the right coverage, fast.
Here’s what helps us get it right the first time:
- Year, make, and model
- Type of motor and horsepower
- Where you keep it—on a trailer, in a slip, or at a marina
- How you use it—fishing, cruising, weekend trips, or something else
- A rough idea of your boating experience
That’s really it. If we need more, we’ll ask. The goal is simple: get you a quote that’s accurate, affordable, and built for how you actually use your boat.
Start Your Boat Insurance Quote Today
Get specialized boat insurance for as little as $100 per year *
Annual premium for basic liability with one of our partner insurance carriers. This policy may not be available in all states.
Select a line of business to start a comparison quote. If you’re ready to buy, select from the Quote & Buy options:
FAQs about boat insurance
Yes. A storm doesn’t care how often you launch. Theft, fire, and dock damage can happen anytime—even when your boat’s parked. Insurance protects your investment, whether it’s moving or not.
Not by every state—but it might be required by your marina or lender. And even when it’s optional, going without it means gambling with your wallet every time you leave the dock.
Usually, yes—but it depends on the policy. Most insurers cover permissive users, as long as they have your permission and meet certain conditions. Want to be sure? Ask us before you hand over the keys.
In many cases, yes—but it may be limited or listed separately. If your boat spends as much time on the road as it does in the water, we’ll make sure your trailer gets the coverage it deserves.
Some policies offer a lay-up period that limits coverage while your boat is in storage, which can lower your premium. Just don’t forget to reactivate before your next launch—or you might be out of luck when it matters most.