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Insurance For Your Boat

How Do I Obtain Coverage for My Boat? Can I Ever Be Turned Down?

Boat insurance, like auto insurance, is offered in a competitive market. You can shop around for coverage through an independent insurance producer or directly from companies available in your area. Please note that an insurance company can decide to turn down your application for coverage.

In order to obtain an insurance policy for your boat, you must fill out an application to help the insurance company learn about you, your boat, and the risks the insurance company will be responsible for if it insures you under an insurance policy, this includes any prior losses.

After reviewing the information, the insurance company will use its own standards, known as underwriting guidelines, to decide whether to issue you a policy, and the rate it would charge for any coverage it provides.

If an insurer agrees to consider your application, the producer or company may issue you an "insurance binder", a legally binding statement indicating that you have immediate protection for a specified period of time during which the company will decide whether to issue you a policy. If the company formally accepts your application, it will issue a policy, usually for a one-year period. If your application is rejected, you will need to apply to another insurer.

The surplus lines market is also available as an alternative market   to provide coverage for boats that traditional carriers refuse to accept. Although surplus lines companies are permitted to issue policies to Massachusetts residents, they are not licensed by the Division of Insurance, are not regulated by state law and are not members of the state guaranty fund.

Basic Coverages Available

There are differing combinations of coverage that may be offered to protect your boat. Most boat insurance policies are designed for boats up to 26 feet in length.  Boats that are  greater than 26 feet in length are considered yachts and covered under special yacht insurance.

It is important to know which risks a policy covers and which risks are excluded. Each policy protects against a specific number of perils (events that cause damage to the boat). Examples of these perils include collision, fire, windstorm, theft, lightning or vandalism. Policies specifically exclude coverage for certain events, including, for example, acts of war or damages related to a poorly maintained vessel.

In addition to knowing the risks or perils covered, it is important to consider the expenses that are covered in the event of a covered peril. Each policy usually contains coverage for the following:

Additional Coverages:

What May Affect the Cost of Insurance for My Boat?

How Can I Reduce the Insurance Premium for My Boat?

Can an Insurer Ever Cancel or Nonrenew My Coverage?

Yes, an insurer can cancel or non-renew your coverage. You should read your policy carefully to determine the conditions for cancellation and non-renewal. Companies can cancel coverage, but only according to the conditions that are spelled out within the policy.

Do I need boat insurance if I own a personal watercraft or human-powered craft?

Personal watercraft owners can face similar personal and financial risks as with a larger pleasure boat while on the water, including incidents that result in bodily injury to you or another person, bodily injury legal costs if you are sued due to an accident, or property damage to another boat or dock.

Personal watercraft or PWCs (known by brand names like Jet Ski) or human-powered craft (canoe, kayak) may be covered under your homeowners insurance. When deciding whether a stand-alone policy or coverage under an existing policy will cover these types of devices it is best to consult with an agent or your insurance company. 

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