why you need BOAT Insurance

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Spot On Coverage

Some boats we help find coverage for:

Bass

Pontoon

Power
PWC
Sailboat
Yachts

NOT REQUIRED, UNLESS… 

You have a loan on your boat or when your marina requires insurance for docking privileges.

LIABILITY PROTECTION:

Shield yourself from liability for injuries, property damage, and lawsuits.

YOUR MEDICAL EXPENSES:

Ensure coverage for medical expenses for you and your passengers in case of an accident.

PROTECTION FOR YOUR BOAT:

The five standard coverages do not provide protection for damage or replacement of your boat.  To ensure coverage for your boat, Collision and Comprehensive coverages are needed.

There are Five Standard Boat Insurance Coverages:

Bodily Injury Liability (BI):

This coverage pays for the medical expenses of others if you’re at fault in a boat accident.  BI also extends to passengers in other boats who may be injured.  BI includes compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and lost wages for the injured parties.

BI does not cover injuries to you or your passengers. To ensure coverage for injuries sustained by you or your passengers, you must purchase optional medical coverage.

Property Damage Liability (PD):

This coverage pays for the costs of repairing or replacing another person’s damaged property in an accident where you are found at fault.  PD covers repairs to their boats and other damaged property.  

PD does not cover damage to your boat.  To cover damages and repairs to your boat, you must purchase optional Collision and Comprehensive Coverages.

Fuel Spill: 

Covers the expenses associated with fuel spills, regardless of how the spill occurred – whether it’s a sunken boat, a leaking tank, or an incident at a fueling station.   

Water Sports Coverage: 

Offers protection for injuries or damages caused to others during activities such as tubing, knee boarding, wakeboarding, wake surfing. Please note that activities like parasailing, kiteboarding, or similar aerial activities are not covered.

Wreckage Removal:  

Provides coverage for the cost of removing your boat from the water in the event of the boat sinking if removal is legally required. 

Optional Boat Insurance Coverages:

Collision Coverage:                            

Assists in paying to repair or replace your boat after an accident, regardless of fault.

Example:   While avoiding a collision with a jet skier, you collide with a buoy, resulting in $500 worth of damage to your boat. With a $250 collision deductible, you cover this amount, and your insurance company covers the remaining $250.

Comprehensive Coverage:

Protects against non-collision events out of your control such as theft, fire, vandalism and more.

Example: During a severe hailstorm while docked in the marina, your boat sustains $2,000 in damage. With a $250 deductible, you cover this amount, and the insurance company pays the remaining $1,750 for repairs.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM):   

 Provides coverage for injuries and property damage resulting from an accident caused by a driver with little or no insurance.

Example:  While your boat was docked at a drive-up restaurant, it was struck by a boat operated by an uninsured driver. The incident resulted in $5,000 worth of property damage.  Fortunately, you have UM/UIM coverage with a $20,000 property damage limit, ensuring that your bills are fully covered within the policy limits.

Medical Coverage: 

Covers injuries sustained by you or your passengers, regardless of fault.

Example: You and your passengers sustain injuries when another boat crashes into your boat while you’re anchored. The resulting accident necessitated $1,000 for medical care and rehabilitation. Fortunately, you have a $20,000 medical coverage limit that fully covers all your bills.

On Water Towing Coverage:    

This coverage pays for on-water towing, fuel delivery, soft groundings, and jump starts if your boat runs out of gas or breaks down on the water.

Example: If your boat becomes grounded on a sand dune and you’re unable to free it, this coverage will provide the assistance needed to get you back on track.

Fishing Equipment & Carried-On Items Coverage:       

This coverage provides full replacement cost up to $10,000 for fishing equipment and up to $5,000 for personal property, such as scuba gear, phones, or other items carried on board, in case they are lost or stolen.

Example: While you’re preparing for a day of fishing, your boat is docked.  During this time, $2,000 worth of fishing equipment is stolen. This coverage will reimburse you for the replacement of your equipment.

Full Replacement Cost Coverage:  

This coverage option is available for purchase if you’re the original owner of your boat and it’s no more than one model year old. In the event of a total loss within the first five model years, you’ll have the choice between receiving a new boat or the original purchase price of your totaled boat.  If the loss occurs beyond the five model-year window, you’ll receive the original purchase price of your boat.

Example: Three years ago, you purchased a new boat for $15,000, but its current value is only $10,000. In the event of a total loss, it would cost $15,000 to buy a new one. With this coverage, you’ll receive $15,000, saving you from having to cover the $5,000 for your boat’s depreciation.

Travel Trip Interruption Coverage:  

This coverage reimburses your expenses if your boat breaks down at least one hundred miles from home. You can be reimbursed up to $500 to cover food, hotel, and other transportation costs.

Example: Your boat breaks down far from home, requiring an overnight stay and transportation to the marina for repairs.  The total cost is $250, which is covered under this policy.

Potential Savings to Explore:

Insurance discounts can differ depending on the insurance provider you select.  It is important to note that not all carriers offer the same discounts.

Payment Discounts:

Pay in Full:  Earn a discount by paying for your policy in full upfront.

Prompt Payment:   You’ll receive this discount starting with your first boat policy, and you’ll continue to receive it if you pay on time.

Safe Driving Rewards:

Safety Course Discount:  Just complete your state-approved boating safety course to save even more.

Responsible Driver Discount:  If you have no watercraft or motor vehicle violations or accidents on your record for the last three years, you can significantly lower your boat insurance rate.

Policyholder Savings:

Quote in Advance:  Purchase your boat policy at least one day prior to its effective date to qualify for savings. The discount amount increases if you buy a policy more than a week before it is scheduled to start.

Multi-Boat:  Save when you have more than one boat listed on your policy. 

Association Member:  Get a discount for membership in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCG) or U.S. Power Squadron (USPS).

Switch Discount:  If you already carry boat insurance, you’ll receive a discount when you switch carriers.

Original Owner Discount:  If you’re the original owner of your boat and your policy includes comprehensive and collision coverages, you’ll qualify for a discount.

Flexi-Bundle™ & Save:

Flexi-Bundle™ Discount:  Combine up to four insurance products and select from up to four insurance carriers.

Frequently Asked Questions

You have two payment options:

Option 1:  Click the Carrier tab, scroll to locate your carrier. Most carriers accept online payments via check, credit card, or ACH.  Click on your carrier’s name and proceed to make your payment.

Option 2:  Click the Customer Center tab. Scroll down to find the Input1 icon. Input1 offers digital payment options, including ApplePay and eWallet.  Click on the Input1 icon, log in, and make your payment. 

Report The Claim by Phone:

  • Click on the Carrier tab.
  • Locate your insurance carrier.
  • Use the carrier’s claims phone number to report the claim.

Report The Claim Online:

  • Click on the Carrier tab.
  • Use the carrier’s claims website link to report the claim online.

Here are some things to consider when deciding whether to file a claim:

  • Was anyone injured in the accident?
  • Did you cause damage to someone else’s property or vehicle?
  • Is your boat unsafe to drive?
  • Do the damages exceed your deductible?
  • Is the issue related to maintenance or normal wear-and-tear?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, it’s advisable to consider filing a claim. If you have further questions about the claims process, don’t hesitate to contact your insurance carrier directly.

Step 1: Document the Scene

  • Take photos of the damage to all boats involved.
  • Capture the positions of the boats.

Step 2: Exchange Information

  • Share insurance details with other drivers and note any passengers.
  • Contact the police to assist with information exchange and file a police report.
  • Try not to apologize or make statements that could be construed as admitting fault.

Step 3: Collect Additional Information

  • Make note of the accident location.
  • Make note of the towing company if your boat requires towing.

Step 4: Notify Your Insurance Carrier

A deductible is the amount of money you must pay out of pocket for covered expenses before your insurance coverage begins to apply.

For example, if your boat insurance collision deductible is $250 and you incur $1,000 in damages, the insurance company will pay the repair shop $750, and you would be responsible for paying your $250 deductible.

Boat liability coverage limits in Michigan apply to Bodily Injury (BI), Property Damage (PD), Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverages.

They are typically written out as three numbers like 25/50/25. Here’s what they mean:

  • $25,000 limit per person for Bodily Injury in an accident
  • $50,000 total limit per accident for Bodily Injury
  • $25,000 limit per accident for Property Damage.

Absolutely. We utilize secure encryption technology to ensure the safety of your personal information. When it comes to your application, we never access your data without your prior approval.  Additionally, we will never sell your data to any third party.

Yes, we suggest obtaining an estimate before initiating a claim.  Once you have your estimate, please give us a call to discuss your options. We’ll also review your policy with you to determine if your estimate exceeds your deductible.

We offer insurance solutions for all your personal needs, including auto, home, life, health & more. Additionally, we offer products to meet all your business needs, such as liability, property, trucks & more.  But that’s not all!  We also offer a wide array of car care, safety, and security products. 

If you have other questions, you can call, text, email, or live chat with a real person at Insurish who is standing by to assist you. Regardless of how you contact us, we will respond immediately.

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Please Note:

At Insurish, we provide general information on insurance products to help you grasp their different aspects. It’s important to note that this information isn’t an insurance policy and doesn’t pertain to any specific carrier’s policy. It doesn’t alter any provisions, limitations, or exclusions expressly stated in an insurance policy. Descriptions of coverages, discounts, and features are concise. For a comprehensive understanding of specific policy details, we recommend reading the applicable policy and consulting an Insurish agent. Coverages and features vary by insurer and state and may not be available in all states. Coverage for accidents or losses depends on the terms and conditions of the actual insurance policy. References to premiums, losses, deductibles, and costs are illustrative and may not apply to your circumstances. Insurish is not liable for the content of third-party sites linked from this page.