{"id":4438,"date":"2020-09-04T08:01:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-04T08:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/?p=4438"},"modified":"2025-01-17T21:24:49","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T21:24:49","slug":"how-much-is-boat-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/boat-insurance\/understanding-boat-insurance\/how-much-is-boat-insurance\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Is Boat Insurance?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Long weekends like Labor Day are the perfect time to take the boat out. Before you do, its important you consider getting boat insurance. After you find out how much it costs and if you need it, you\u2019ll be ready to enjoy your time on the water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cost of Watercraft Insurance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s dive right in by looking at how much boat insurance (also known as watercraft insurance) costs. Companies consider various factors when determining prices, like the boat\u2019s age, value, horsepower, and condition, among other factors<\/a>. Also, the type of policy you purchase will impact the cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have two basic options when buying boat insurance. You can purchase an agreed value policy, which means it covers the boat based on its value when you bought the coverage. Then, there is an actual cash value policy. It factors in depreciation when covering your boat and costs less annually. Still, you won\u2019t get as much money if your watercraft is a total loss. It\u2019s not uncommon for insurers to require older boats to get an actual cash value instead of an agreed value policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even with these different factors, most people end up paying around 1.5 percent of the boat\u2019s value each year. That\u2019s not much money at all. If you have a boat worth approximately $20,000, you can probably insure it for about $300 each year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Boat Insurance Required?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, only Arkansas, South Dakota, and Utah require liability insurance for boaters. Even if you live in a state that doesn\u2019t require watercraft insurance, it\u2019s still wise to purchase a policy. While your homeowner\u2019s insurance policy might cover some boat-related expenses, the coverage limit is typically small. The company might only pay for $1,000 toward a claim. That means you might be on the hook for lots of money. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does Boat Insurance Cover?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"happy<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Boat insurance generally doesn\u2019t cover wear and tear, defects, or damage from marine life and mold. However, it does cover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n