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Best Boat Insurance

Be prepared for anything before you head out on the water

Boating accidents are more common than most people realize. The United States Coast Guard counted 4,439 boating accidents in 20201 alone, which resulted in $67.5 million of property damage and 658 fatalities. You can never predict when accidents will strike, but you can prepare yourself for any possible catastrophe by purchasing the best boat insurance for your needs.

We evaluated boat insurance policies from more than 20 nationally recognized brands to help you determine who offers the best boat insurance your money can buy before you head out on the water. After our careful analysis, we selected five companies that offer the best boat insurance.

Best Boat Insurance of 2024

Best Overall : Allstate

Allstate

Great coverage including many extras

Average national rates around $25 per month

Limited info online about restrictions and exclusions to coverage

Coverage

Allstate offers a very comprehensive lineup of options for boat coverage, including:

Discounts

Even though Allstate offers boat coverage starting at about $25 per month, it doesn’t shy away from discounts. You may qualify for the following when you insure your boat with Allstate:

Limitations

Allstate does not disclose many limitations on its boat coverage. However, some types of coverage and discounts are not to be had in all states, so it’s best to contact a local Allstate agent to verify the availability of coverage and discounts before switching over to Allstate for your boat insurance.

Additional Perks

Allstate offers the best of both worlds to its customers: local agents to help you with your insurance needs, as well as online tools and an 800 number to get questions answered anytime.

Allstate’s website also has a lot of information and resources for boaters, which can be especially helpful to new boaters or those with limited experience in owning a boat. The company offers articles and videos on boat maintenance, dealing with accidents and other marine emergencies, and handling your boat and boat insurance during the offseason.

Progressive : Best for Cheap Boat Insurance

Rates as low as $100 per year

Wide array of coverage

Lots of available discounts

Restrictions on types of boats covered

Coverage

As expected from one of the industry leaders in personal property insurance, Progressive offers all of the major coverage and more, including:

Discounts

You can potentially save even more with Progressive by qualifying for some of the following discounts:

Additionally, Progressive offers these perks that help customers save on their boat insurance over time:

Limitations

Progressive boat insurance is only available for boats up to 50 feet in length, and in some states that experience higher hurricane risks, the limitations are 35 feet and $175,000 in value.

Progressive also places some age and value restrictions on the boats it covers. For example, it will not insure the following:

If you aren’t sure if your boat fits into Progressive’s coverage requirements, you should contact Progressive over the phone to ask clarification questions and obtain a quote.

Additional Perks

Other companies place restrictions on where you can use your boat, but Progressive gives you the freedom to sail wherever you’d like on any lake or river in the United States, as well as in ocean waters within 75 miles of the coast.

Progressive also waives some requirements that other companies force on customers, such as navigation plans and marine surveys. These requirements often cost customers hundreds of dollars, which means you save even more by using Progressive.

Finally, Progressive offers a variety of online tools and features, including the Name Your Price Tool and a mobile app. These help travelers access their plans and make changes anytime.

Nationwide : Best for Policy Bundling

Multi-policy discount for those who bundle boat insurance and at least one other policy with Nationwide

Boat insurance packages to help customers save money

No online quote tool for boat insurance

Not all coverages and discounts available in all states

Nationwide offers lots of options for boat insurance coverage, including:

Furthermore, there may be additional savings on your boat insurance when you select one of Nationwide’s boat insurance packages. The company offers a wide range of packages for different types of boaters, such as:

Discounts

The best way to save with Nationwide is by bundling your insurance policies with them. While the company's website claims customers can save up to 20% when bundling home and auto, it does not mention specific savings on bundling another policy with your Nationwide boat insurance. However, customers who choose to bundle a boat policy with their home, auto, or life policy with Nationwide will be awarded a discount.

In general, Nationwide offers these discounts to people who insure boats:

Limitations

Although Nationwide doesn’t specifically list limitations on where you can obtain its boat insurance, the company does stress that not all products and discounts are available in all states. Contact a local Nationwide agent or use the company’s website to obtain a quote before switching your boat coverage over to Nationwide.

Additional Perks

Nationwide offers a digital experience through its website and mobile app. On the website you can take advantage of resources as well as manage your policy through the company’s customer portal.

Foremost : Best Variety of Coverage

Variety of packages and coverage options

Several great discounts

Limitations on who can receive coverage

Coverage

When it comes to coverage, Foremost offers many standard coverage options, including:

Additionally, Foremost offers numerous packages that let boaters customize the coverage they receive. These include:

Discounts

Foremost’s discounts include:

Limitations

Although Foremost boat insurance is available in all 50 states, coverage and coverage amounts may vary by state. Foremost also limits and denies coverage based on credit scores, meaning that it may not be the best option for those with poor credit.

Additional Perks

Foremost doesn’t offer a lot of perks, but the numerous coverage packages and discounts make it a viable choice if you want to have the ability to customize your coverage.

Markel : Best for Fishermen

Markel

Expansive coverage for fishing equipment

Savings of up to 35% with discounts including a diminishing deductible

No options to bundle with homeowners or car insurance

Coverage

Markel offers boat insurance starting at just $100 per year depending on what coverage you need. Whether you’re a professional fisher or just enjoy fishing for fun, Markel offers lots of coverage, including for:

Discounts

Although Markel doesn’t offer some of the discounts that larger insurance companies do, you can still save money through these discounts for:

Limitations

Markel operates in all 50 states, but you should always consult with a customer service representative to see what boat insurance is available for you.

Additionally, Markel does not currently offer a smartphone app.

Additional Perks

Although Markel boat insurance comes with a few limitations, there are some significant perks. For starters, the diminishing deductible program is one discount option that not all companies provide. Moreover, Markel is the only company we found that offers discounts for boaters over the age of 40, which can help older people who fish for fun save money.

The most notable perk with Markel, though, is the large amount of coverages it has as standard policy. The professional angler option provides replacement cost coverage for fishing equipment and personal items, in addition to covering the boat itself. These coverage options make Markel a standout pick for anyone who uses their boat for fishing in any capacity.

Compare Best Boat Insurance

The Bottom Line

Boat insurance protects one of your most expensive possessions and gives you peace of mind when out on the water. When selecting a policy, don’t forget to compare all the fine print and see which companies offer the best discounts and other perks to help you get the most bang for your buck.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need to Have Boat Insurance?

Though boat insurance is not required in every state, you shouldn’t go without it in most cases. If you end up in an accident or stranded out in the ocean somewhere, you’ll be glad you have it.

It’s recommended that you obtain boat insurance if you own one of the following types of boats:

Conversely, if you’re just using a canoe, a small-engine boat, or an inexpensive boat worth less than $1,000, you may not need boat insurance.

What Should I Look for When Shopping for Boat Insurance?

There are many factors to consider when shopping for boat insurance. For starters, you’ll need to decide if you want a policy that uses an agreed value policy or an actual cash value (ACV) policy. ACV policies are typically cheaper, but they provide less payout in the event of a total loss.

Furthermore, you’ll want to look for exclusions and restrictions to boat coverage. For example, some companies will only insure boats up to a certain size, whereas others will not insure boats used for commercial purposes. Knowing the specifics of your boat and what you’ll use it for can really help you find the best policy to fit your needs.

Once you find several companies that will cover your boat, read the entire list of standard coverage inclusions and compare. Where one company may offer towing as a standard feature, another company may only offer it if you pay an extra monthly fee. Noting these small differences could really save you money.

Finally, consider a company’s reputation and the attention it gives to its boat insurance. Some specialty insurance companies focus solely on coverage for boats and other recreational vehicles, while other companies just offer boat insurance as an extra to attract more customers. Noting this can help you get the best coverage from experts who know what they’re doing when it comes to boats.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover My Boat?

Although some homeowners insurance policies cover boats, these typically come with several limitations. In most cases homeowners policies treat your boat like any other household possession (i.e. a television or couch), meaning that your policy will only cover the boat up to a certain value (10% of your home’s insured value in most cases). What’s more, liability insurance for your boat isn’t typically included under your homeowner's insurance. This means you’d be out any liability or injury costs in the event of a boating accident.

What Does Boat Insurance Cover?

At first glance coverage for your boat may look and sound a lot like auto insurance coverage. This makes sense given that a boat is basically a car that you drive in the water.

Methodology

When selecting the best boat insurance providers, we compared policies and discounts for more than 20 nationally recognized insurance companies that offer boat policies. We also looked at each company’s financial strength, customer satisfaction ratings, and reviews. We feel confident that our evaluations provide a useful guide to help you select a boat insurance company, but we always encourage you to shop around and compare quotes before signing on the dotted line for any insurance policy.

Thomas Barwick / Getty Images

United States Coast Guard. “2021 Recreational Boating Statistics.” Page 6.

Insurance Information Institute. “Boat Insurance and Safety.“