Quick answer
Boat insurance covers your boat, motor and trailer for physical damage, plus liability if you injure someone or damage property on the water. Florida doesn't require boat or personal watercraft insurance by law, but lenders and many marinas do. Homeowners policies give little or no watercraft coverage. A private dock or lift usually needs its own coverage too.
Coverage Overview
Whether you're on a pontoon at Lake Hollingsworth, running a center console out of a Gulf Coast marina, or riding a personal watercraft, standard homeowners policies provide little to no coverage for watercraft. We place dedicated marine coverage sized to what you actually own and how you use it.
What boat and PWC coverage typically includes
- Physical damage coverage (comprehensive and collision) for the vessel, motor, and trailer
- Liability coverage if you injure someone or damage property while operating the boat
- Uninsured boater coverage
- Towing and wreckage removal
- Personal watercraft coverage for Jet Ski, WaveRunner, and Sea-Doo–type PWCs, which usually need to be scheduled separately from a boat policy
Carriers we place marine coverage with
We work with United Marine Underwriters, a marine agency that markets and services boat, yacht, and PWC policies through independent agents, and Progressive Boat & PWC, which covers pontoons, powerboats, sailboats, and Jet-Ski/WaveRunner-type watercraft with optional on-water towing and wreckage removal.
Dock and mooring coverage
If you keep your boat at a private dock, that structure usually isn't covered by your boat policy or your homeowners policy — it typically needs to be addressed separately, either as an endorsement or its own dock policy. Ask us to check your current coverage for this gap if you have a private dock or boat lift.
Boat & Personal Watercraft Insurance FAQ
How much does boat insurance cost in Florida?
It depends primarily on the vessel's value, horsepower, age, and how you use it (personal recreation vs. more frequent use), plus your boating experience and claims history. Comparing carriers built for marine risk, rather than a single generic quote, is usually what moves the price.
Is personal watercraft insurance required in Florida?
Florida doesn't require PWC insurance by law, but marinas, lenders financing the PWC, and the liability exposure from operating one make it something most owners carry regardless.
Does my homeowners policy cover my boat or jet ski?
Usually only minimally, if at all — many homeowners policies cap watercraft liability at a low limit or exclude it above a certain size or horsepower. A dedicated marine policy is typically the only way to get real physical damage and liability coverage.
What's the difference between boat insurance and dock insurance?
Boat insurance covers the vessel itself; dock insurance covers the physical dock or lift structure. They're usually separate coverages, and it's easy to assume one covers the other when it doesn't.
What it usually doesn't cover
- Your private dock or boat lift, unless it's added separately.
- Wear, marine growth, corrosion and mechanical breakdown.
- Using the boat for paid charters or rentals.
- Liability above the boat policy's limit. Umbrella insurance →
Every policy is different. Your declarations page and policy form decide what's covered.
Have this ready before you ask for a quote
- Year, make, model and length of the boat
- Engine type and total horsepower
- Hull ID number and current value or purchase price
- Where it's kept: lift, trailer, marina slip or dry storage
- Your boating experience and any boater safety course
- Lienholder, if financed
Don't have everything? Send what you have; an agent will ask for the rest. Coverage can't be bound or changed through this website.