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Why Should I Get Boat Insurance?
If you own a boat or another type of watercraft, it’s important to have boat insurance to protect you and your passengers. This insurance provides coverage if your boat gets damaged by a covered loss, like a collision, fire or windstorm. It also provides protection if you’re found legally responsible for causing injury or property damage to someone else while operating your watercraft. With The Hartford's Nutmeg Insurance Agency, you can get the peace of mind you deserve to feel protected while out on the water with coverages provided by a trusted carrier partner.
Types of Watercrafts Covered by Boat Insurance
No matter what type of recreational boat you own, having watercraft insurance is essential. Boat insurance can help protect these boat types:
- Powerboats: These use engines to move and are typically for fishing or watersports.
- Bass and fishing boats: Also known as bass boats, these are smaller than powerboats.
- Pontoon boats: These use floats to stay above water and are generally used for fishing or cruising.
- Personal watercraft (PWC): These are smaller watercrafts, such as jet-skis, meant for one to three people.
- Sailboats: These use sails to move through the water.
What Does Boat Insurance Cover?
Your personal watercraft insurance coverage needs depend on your boat’s features and how you use it. If you’re using a pontoon boat to cruise around a lake, you may not need as much coverage as a powerboat. We make it easy to customize your boat insurance policy to address your specific needs. Consider these coverages to help protect your boat or watercraft:
- Hull Coverage: This coverage protects you in the event of damage to your water vessel. It also includes coverage for the motor and electrical equipment that you have on board.
- Medical payments: If you or your passengers get hurt in an accident, this coverage can help cover treatment costs.
- Property damage liability: Helps cover the costs of physical damage or replacement costs for other people’s property if you hit it with your boat or watercraft.
- Bodily injury liability coverage: If you hurt someone else with your boat, this coverage helps cover their medical bills.
- Uninsured/underinsured watercraft: If someone without insurance or not enough coverage hits your boat or watercraft, this can help pay for damages or injuries.
- Personal effects coverage: Helps cover your costs to repair or replace valuables if they get damaged or lost while you’re on the water.
- Emergency assistance and towing: Helps pay to have your boat or watercraft towed if it breaks down on the water.
After you have the essential coverages in your boat insurance, you may want to add more protection to your policy, such as:
- Fuel spill coverage
- Trailer or boat lift coverage
- Named Storm Coverage
Cost of Boat Insurance
You may be wondering, “How much is boat insurance?” Unfortunately, there is not a one-size-fits-all answer. You may pay more or less based on different factors, like:
- The value of your boat
- The type of boat you own
- Where you live
- How much coverage you purchase
Boat Insurance Discounts
The Hartford is here to help you understand boat insurance rates and how much your cost may be. Our team can also see what insurance discounts you qualify for, helping you save on your boat insurance rate. These discounts can include:
- Experience: You may have a lower rate if you have experience operating a boat or have completed boat safety courses with certifications.
- Prior insurance: You can qualify for a discount if there’s no lapse in your coverage.
- Loss-free renewal: When you renew your boat insurance policy for the first time, you may be eligible for a discount. You can also earn a discount if you renew it in successive years.
- Paid in full discount: You’ll receive a discount if you pay your bill in full instead of monthly.
Flexible Options for Boat Insurance and Watercraft Protection
Spend your time on the water stress-free, knowing you have reliable boat insurance. Whether you have a boat or another type of watercraft, we can help protect it with vehicle insurance. Through the AARP® Auto and Home Insurance Program from The Hartford, you can stay protected and save money.1
When it comes to watercraft and boat insurance, you’ll need a plan that offers personalized protection. With boat and watercraft insurance coverage through the Nutmeg Insurance Agency, our specialists can help you customize your policy.
We’ll make sure your insurance covers your unique needs at a price that’s right for your budget.
Learn more about insuring your boat or other watercraft. Get a quote today by calling 800-555-2510.
Common Boat Insurance Coverage Questions
Do You Need Boat Insurance?
Boat insurance laws vary by state, with some states requiring boat owners to have insurance for their watercraft. Many banks and marinas have their own requirements for watercraft insurance.
Even if boat insurance is not required, it’s still a good idea to have a minimum of bodily injury and property damage liability insurance coverage. Without coverage from an insurance company, you’re responsible for paying costs out of pocket. Claims related to boating accidents can be costly and can put your personal assets at risk.
Is a Boat Covered Under Homeowners Insurance?
Some insurance companies may provide minimum coverage for your boat through your homeowners insurance. However, not every homeowners insurance policy is the same. You can check your policy to see if it offers coverage for watercrafts. You may find your homeowners insurance policy has size restrictions or damage limits for boats or watercrafts. That’s why many boaters get watercraft insurance, because it offers more coverage and protection.
What Insurance Do You Need for a Boat?
No matter what type of boat or personal watercraft you have, it’s a good idea to get boat insurance to help protect you. It can help cover you and your passengers if you get into an accident with your boat or watercraft. And, if you damage another person’s property or hurt someone else, it can help cover claims filed against you. Your state, bank or marina usually requires a minimum amount of liability insurance, but you should consider buying additional insurance to make sure you’re fully protected, especially if you have a total loss.
What People Are Saying About The Hartford Watercraft Insurance
We’re here to help you get customized watercraft coverage that’s right for you. Don’t just take our word for it. You can hear firsthand from our customers:
“We are very pleased with our insurance at The Hartford. Always very friendly and very good service. The best decision we ever made was getting The Hartford for our home, cars and boat. I would recommend The Hartford to everyone. Thank you for taking such good care of us.”
*****
“We have been with The Hartford for many years now and have found them to be a great insurance company. They are easy to get a hold of and follow up is very good. Premiums are good and we now have our household content, car, boat and motorhome insured through The Hartford. We have recommended them to several people.”
Get a Boat Insurance Quote Today
To find out more about watercraft insurance and how you can save money, call 800-555-2510 to get a boat insurance quote.
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Last Updated: March 19, 2024
2 J.D. Power, “Staying Afloat With Boat Insurance: What Determines the Cost?”
Coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, underwriting review and approval, and may not be available for all risks or in all states. Rates and discounts vary, are determined by many factors and are subject to change. This Program is underwritten by one of the licensed insurers of American Modern Insurance Group, Inc., including American Southern Home Insurance Company in FL and LA, American Modern Home Insurance Company d/b/a American Modern Insurance Company (Lic. No 222-8) in CA, American Family Home Insurance Company in AR and GA (Personal Watercraft only) and American Modern Home Insurance Company in all other states, or by one of the licensed insurers of Foremost Insurance Company through Nutmeg Insurance Agency Inc. Nutmeg Insurance Agency Inc. is an affiliate of Hartford Fire Insurance Company, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155. Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates are not financially responsible for insurance products underwritten and issued by the insurance companies of American Modern Insurance Group, Inc or Foremost Insurance Company.
Additional disclosures below.