Boat & Personal Watercraft Insurance

All aboard for great coverage.

Whether you’re fishing on a local river or sailing the seven seas, having the proper boat and personal watercraft insurance is crucial to making sure everyone on board has a great time on and off the water.

While boat insurance is not required in many states, you don’t want to find yourself in choppy waters without proper coverage.

What to Cover

Not all boats are the same. While boat policies can vary depending on the type of boat, where it’s kept, and the waters it traffics, the coverages listed below are usually standard.

Physical damage – This type of coverage protects your boat or jet ski from damages and losses due to common risks such as severe storms, sinking, theft, and collision.

Bodily injury & property damage liability – This protects you if another person is injured or another boat is damaged after a boating accident. Liability boat insurance also pays to repair or replace any watercraft, object, or other property you may damage while boating, plus legal expenses if you’re sued.

Personal property coverage – This protects all your personal belongings you have on board. From fishing poles to binoculars to cameras, it’s covered.

Additional Coverages

On and off-water towing – We like to call this one, “waveside assistance.” If you were to get stranded out in open water, this covers the towing costs as well as jump starts and fuel delivery if needed. This also applies to off-water towing. If your trailer carrying your boat were to break down, you would be covered.

Hurricane Haul Out – This will cover any fees to tow your vessel in the event of a hurricane watch or warning issued in your area.

Agreed Value – Sometimes referred to as “guaranteed value” — this is an amount you and your insurance company agree a specified item is worth, such as your boat’s engine and equipment. Unlike most other coverages, if an item is covered at agreed value, you are guaranteed to receive the full amount stated in the policy in the event of a loss.

FAQs

Is My Boat Protected While it’s Being Transported?
Policies vary so it is always important to talk to your agent to find out for sure what coverages you have for your boat and trailer while on the road.
Do I Need Boat Insurance During the Off-Season?
If your boat is being stored on dry land during the off-season, you may be tempted to cancel your boat insurance policy. However, It’s important to keep in mind there are year-round risks for your boat, such as fire or theft. If you cancel your boat insurance, you may have to pay out of pocket to repair or replace your watercraft if it’s stolen or damaged during the winter months.
Can I get a damage estimate before filing a claim?
Yes, we recommend obtaining an estimate before filing a claim. Once you have your estimate, give us a call to discuss your options. We’ll also look at your policy with you to see if your estimate is above your deductible.
Visit our Claims page to learn more.
How do I add someone to my policy?
Give us a call! We ask that you have the following information handy so we can keep this process quick and easy for you:
- Policy holder’s name and the name of the driver you would like to add
- Policy number or address
- What cars are being removed or added (if any) and their VIN numbers
- Specify coverage- will you need more? You can also choose to keep it the same as the other vehicles on your policy.
For all driver related changes to your policy, give us a call at 757-448-3820.
How do I pay my bill?
Most insurance carriers allow you to pay online. Here are the payment links for some of our carriers:
If you can’t find your policy number or carrier, you can always call our service department at 757-448-3820 and we can help you make a payment over the phone.
Why did my premium increase this year?
There are many reasons your premium might increase. The most common are:
- Recent claim filed
- Traffic Violation
- Insurance/credit score may have dropped
- Carrier rate increase throughout the state due to the rising cost of repairing cars and homes
There are many ways to combat rate increases, including altering deductibles and signing up for the plug-in driving programs. If your rate went up less than $200 then you likely still have the best policy, but if you continue to see small increases over 3 years or so then it might be time to check if you’re still getting the best rate.
If you are facing increases, it may be time to reevaluate your policy. Give us a call so we can find the best policy that fits your needs, even if it’s with a different carrier!

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