Personal / Boat

Michigan Boat & Watercraft Insurance

Michigan has more registered boats than almost any state — and the small boat rider on your homeowners policy isn't enough to protect them. A real watercraft policy covers your boat, your liability on the water, and the gear that goes with it.

What we do for boat & watercraft insurance clients

• Real hull and liability limits — standalone coverage that actually replaces the boat and protects you on the water — unlike the token limits on a home policy.
• Coverage for how you boat — pontoons, powerboats, fishing boats, jet skis, and sailboats, on inland lakes and the Great Lakes.
• Lay-up savings — we set seasonal lay-up so you're not overpaying through a Michigan winter.
• Multi-carrier shopping — we compare marine markets for the best mix of coverage and price.

Watercraft we cover

Pontoons, runabouts and powerboats, fishing boats, personal watercraft and jet skis, sailboats, and the trailers that haul them — across Michigan's inland lakes and the Great Lakes.

What boat insurance covers

• Hull / physical damage — your boat, motor, and trailer against collision, theft, and more.
• Liability — injury or damage you cause to others on the water.
• Medical payments — injuries to you and your passengers.
• Uninsured boater — when another boater at fault has no coverage.
• Personal effects & gear — fishing equipment and belongings aboard.

Common questions

Does my homeowners policy cover my boat?

Only in a very limited way. Most homeowners policies include a small watercraft liability sublimit and little or no hull coverage — not enough for a real boat. A standalone marine policy gives you actual hull, liability, and medical limits.

How much does boat insurance cost in Michigan?

Often a few hundred dollars a year, depending on the boat's value, type, horsepower, and how you use it. Seasonal lay-up keeps the cost down. We shop marine carriers to find your best rate.

Do I need insurance for a jet ski or pontoon?

Michigan doesn't mandate it, but marinas, lakes, and lenders often require liability coverage, and the risk of an on-water injury claim makes it well worth carrying. We write jet skis, pontoons, and all personal watercraft.

What is lay-up coverage?

Lay-up reflects the months your boat is out of the water for the Michigan winter. Coverage and cost adjust for the off-season so you're not paying full freight year-round while still protecting the boat in storage.

Related reading: our Michigan boat & watercraft insurance guide.