Boat Insurance

Spend More Time on the Water. Worry Less About What Could Go Wrong.

From fishing boats and pontoons to personal watercraft and larger recreational boats, Briteline can compare available insurance options for your vessel, liability and boating equipment.

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What Can Boat Insurance Protect?

A dedicated boat policy can provide protection for the vessel itself while also addressing liability and other risks that come with owning and operating a boat.

Your Boat

Physical-damage coverage can help protect the insured boat against certain covered losses, subject to the policy's deductible, valuation method and terms.

Liability

Helps protect you financially if you are legally responsible for certain bodily injury or property damage arising from operation of the insured boat.

Equipment

Depending on the policy, qualifying boating equipment, accessories and certain attached or portable equipment may receive coverage.

Medical Payments

Coverage may be available for certain medical expenses resulting from covered boating injuries, subject to policy limits and terms.

Isn't My Boat Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

Homeowners policies may provide limited protection for certain small watercraft or boating exposures, but those limitations can make homeowners insurance a poor substitute for a dedicated boat policy.

As a boat's size, value, horsepower and use increase, dedicated marine coverage becomes increasingly important.

Important

Tell Us Exactly What You Own.

Boat length, horsepower, value, trailer, equipment, storage location and navigation area can all affect eligibility and coverage. A good quote starts with accurate information about the vessel and how you use it.

Boat Coverage Options Worth Reviewing

Available protections vary by insurance company and vessel, but these are some important items to discuss when comparing policies.

Agreed Value

Some boat policies offer agreed-value settlement options for qualifying vessels. Valuation provisions can make a significant difference after a covered total loss.

Towing & Assistance

Coverage may be available for certain towing or emergency assistance costs when your boat becomes disabled on the water.

Trailer Coverage

Your boat trailer should be disclosed and reviewed to determine how physical-damage and liability coverage applies.

Personal Effects

Certain policies may provide coverage for qualifying personal property or boating gear carried aboard the vessel, subject to applicable limits.

Uninsured Boater

Depending on the policy and state, uninsured-boater protection may be available for qualifying injuries involving an uninsured boat operator.

Wreck Removal

Boat policies can address certain costs associated with removing or recovering a covered wreck when required, subject to policy provisions.

Different Boats. Different Insurance Needs.

The appropriate insurance market depends heavily on the type, value and use of the watercraft. Tell us exactly what you're insuring so we can evaluate available options.

Pontoons & Deck Boats

Coverage options for popular recreational and family boating vessels.

Fishing & Runabout Boats

Coverage can be structured around the vessel, motor, trailer and qualifying equipment.

Personal Watercraft

Jet skis and similar personal watercraft have distinct liability and physical-damage exposures.

Cruisers & Larger Boats

Larger or higher-value vessels may require more specialized underwriting and marine insurance options.

Sailboats

Sailboat insurance can vary based on size, value, equipment and where the vessel is navigated.

Multiple Watercraft

Households with several boats or personal watercraft may have options for coordinating coverage with one carrier.

Why Boat Owners Work With Briteline

Boat insurance pricing and coverage can vary substantially by insurance company, vessel and operator.

Multiple Markets

Briteline can compare available boat insurance options across multiple carriers instead of limiting you to one company's appetite and pricing.

Coverage Review

We can review boat value, deductibles, equipment, liability limits and available optional protections rather than comparing premium alone.

One Insurance Team

Your boat can be considered alongside your home, auto and umbrella insurance so the household's overall liability protection works together.

Boat Insurance FAQ

Does homeowners insurance cover my boat?

Homeowners insurance may provide limited coverage for certain small watercraft or boating exposures, but the limits and restrictions can be significant. Larger, more valuable or more powerful boats commonly warrant a dedicated boat policy.

Does boat insurance cover theft?

Theft may be covered when the applicable physical-damage coverage is included, subject to the policy's deductible, exclusions and other terms.

Is my boat covered while being trailered?

Coverage can depend on whether the loss involves physical damage to the boat or trailer versus liability arising from the tow vehicle. The boat, trailer and towing exposure should all be disclosed so the policies can be reviewed together.

Does boat insurance cover my fishing equipment?

Some policies may provide limited protection for qualifying personal effects or boating equipment, while higher-value equipment can require additional coverage. Policy limits and exclusions should be reviewed.

Do I need boat insurance during the winter?

Even while a boat is stored, exposures such as theft, fire, weather damage and other physical losses can remain. Financing, marina and storage requirements may also apply, so canceling coverage seasonally should be considered carefully.

Can my boat be covered by my umbrella insurance?

A personal umbrella may extend additional liability protection over qualifying boat exposures, depending on the carrier and vessel. Umbrella insurers can impose vessel-size, horsepower and underlying-liability requirements, so every boat should be disclosed when the umbrella is written.

Can I insure a jet ski or personal watercraft?

Yes, personal watercraft insurance options are available from various carriers, subject to operator, watercraft and underwriting eligibility.

Ready to Get Back on the Water?

Tell Briteline what you own, where you use it and how it's equipped. We'll compare available boat insurance options and help you find coverage that fits.