Boats & Watercraft Insurance
Boat Insurance
As a boat owner, it is in your best interest to own a Boat Insurance policy. This policy provides you coverage in many areas including damages caused by vandalism, lightning, collision, and windstorms. It also provides you protection in the event a passenger is injured while on the boat.
Watercraft Insurance
Watercraft Insurance covers Jet Skis, SeaDoos, and Wave Runners. These items are typically not covered under a homeowners policy which is why it is important to have a separate watercraft insurance policy for your recreational vehicle. A watercraft insurance policy covers the owner and anyone the owner allows to ride the vehicle.
If you own a boat or a watercraft vehicle, contact us to provide you with a policy that best fits your needs.
Request A Personal Insurance Quote
Boat and Watercraft Insurance FAQ
What can boat and watercraft insurance help pay for?
Boat and watercraft insurance may assist with repair costs, replacement values, medical bills, and liability claims following a covered loss. Available benefits depend on the vessel type, operating environment, and selected policy terms.
Coverage options available through Laurmark Insurance typically include:
- Physical Damage: Repairs for powerboats, sailboats, personal watercraft (PWCs), or pontoon boats following a collision or non-collision incident.
- Liability Claims: Third-party bodily injury and property damage expenses resulting from an operational accident on the water.
- Medical Payments: Medical costs for operators or passengers injured during a covered event.
Does boat insurance cover theft?
Yes, boat and watercraft insurance with physical damage protection helps pay for losses if your vessel or trailer is stolen.
This coverage also addresses non-driving hazards while in transit, moored, or in seasonal storage, including:
- Fire and severe weather damage
- Vandalism or malicious mischief
- Sinking, capsizing, or storm damage
What does boat collision coverage cover?
Boat collision insurance helps pay to repair or replace your vessel after an impact with another vessel, dock, buoy, submerged object, or landform.
Key operational details include:
- Deductibles: A chosen deductible applies before policy payouts begin.
- Scope: Applies to physical damage sustained during navigation or recreational use on inland or coastal waters, subject to navigation limits defined in the policy.
Can watercraft insurance cover medical bills?
Yes, watercraft insurance can include medical payments coverage to help cover healthcare expenses for you or your passengers following a covered boating accident.
Coverage limits and optional add-ons vary by jurisdiction and carrier guidelines. An agent at Laurmark Insurance can help outline available medical limit options.
Does boat insurance cover vandalism?
Yes, non-collision physical damage coverage helps pay for loss or repairs resulting from vandalism.
This protection is especially relevant when boats, personal watercraft, or trailers are kept in off-season storage facilities, dry docks, or parked outdoors for extended periods.
Can I add another boat or watercraft to my insurance policy?
Yes, you can add new or additional watercraft, personal watercraft (PWCs), or boat trailers to an existing account at any time.
Adding multiple vessels to your policy through Laurmark Insurance may also qualify your account for multi-policy or multi-craft rating credits, depending on carrier availability.
What changes under the new Massachusetts boating safety law?
The Hanson-Milone Boater Safety Act mandates that operators of motorized vessels and personal watercraft (PWCs) complete a NASBLA-approved boating safety education course and obtain a Boater Safety Certificate.
Phase-in dates for the mandatory requirement include:
- Born after January 1, 1989: Required to hold a Boater Safety Certificate as of April 1, 2026 (penalties enforced starting September 1, 2026).
Born on or before January 1, 1989: Must obtain a Boater Safety Certificate by April 1, 2028.
Does Massachusetts issue an official boating license?
Massachusetts does not issue a traditional driver’s-style boating license. Instead, operators receive a Massachusetts Boater Safety Certificate issued through approved providers under the authority of the Massachusetts Environmental Police.
Key operational details include:
- Lifelong Validity: The Boater Safety Certificate does not expire and requires no periodic renewal fees.
- Onboard Requirement: Operators must carry their physical or temporary certificate on board whenever operating a motorized vessel or PWC on Massachusetts waters.
What vessels and age limits are covered under the law?
The certification requirement applies to any motorized vessel (including powerboats, PWCs, and sailboats using motor propulsion). Specific age guidelines include:
- Under 12: May operate a motorboat only if directly supervised on board by a competent adult aged 18 or older who holds a valid certificate.
- Ages 12 to 15: May operate a motorboat independently only after earning a Boater Safety Certificate.
- Personal Watercraft (PWCs): Operators must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid Boater Safety Certificate.
Are there exceptions to the Massachusetts safety certificate requirement?
Yes, specific statutory exemptions apply under Massachusetts law. Exemptions include:
- Operators of non-motorized vessels (such as canoes, kayaks, or sailboats under sail power alone).
- Individuals operating under the onboard direct supervision of a certified adult aged 18 or older.
- Commercial captains holding a valid Merchant Mariner Credential or similar USCG license.
- Out-of-state residents holding a NASBLA-approved boater safety certificate from another state or territory.
How does regulatory compliance impact boating insurance?
Maintaining full compliance with state maritime laws supports accurate claim processing and risk assessment following a loss. Additionally, completing a state-approved boating safety course may qualify policyholders for educational rating discounts, depending on carrier guidelines.
A licensed agent at Laurmark Insurance can review operator credentials, evaluate coverage limits, and help structure policy options suited to your watercraft activities.
How do I choose a boat and watercraft insurance policy?
To select an appropriate policy, evaluate the vessel’s market value, horsepower, usage frequency, storage location, navigation waters, and your necessary liability limits.
A licensed agent at Laurmark Insurance can review available deductible options, evaluate risk factors, and help structure policy options suited to your watercraft activities.