Boat Insurance vs. Homeowners: Why Your Policy Might Not Cover the Water

Boat Insurance vs. Homeowners: Why Your Policy Might Not Cover the Water

If you own a boat, jet ski, or other personal watercraft (PWC), you might assume your homeowners insurance has you covered. But in many cases, that’s only partially true—or not true at all. When it comes to watercraft, standard home policies may leave big coverage gaps.

This guide breaks down the difference between marine coverage vs homeowners insurance, and explains why boat insurance may be the smarter (and safer) move.

What Homeowners Insurance Might Cover

Home insurance is designed to protect your home and personal property. Some policies offer very limited boat coverage—but usually with tight restrictions. For example:

• It may only cover smaller boats, like canoes or low-powered motorboats
• It usually excludes liability if you cause an accident on the water
• It often doesn’t cover theft, damage, or loss once the boat is off your property

If you own anything larger than a small, non-motorized craft—or if you ever take it off your property—your homeowners policy likely isn’t enough.

Boat Insurance Explained

Boat insurance is designed specifically for watercraft and the unique risks they come with. Whether you have a fishing boat, sailboat, speedboat, or jet ski, a proper policy may help protect against:

• Physical damage – to your boat, motor, trailer, or onboard equipment due to accidents, theft, vandalism, or weather
• Liability – if you injure someone or damage property while operating your boat
• Medical payments – for you or your passengers, regardless of who’s at fault
• Towing and assistance – if you break down on the water

Like auto insurance, boat coverage can often be customized based on how and where you use your vessel.

Jet Skis and PWCs Need Their Own Coverage

If you own a jet ski, Sea-Doo, or any other PWC, don’t assume it’s automatically included in your boat policy. Many insurers treat PWCs as separate from boats and offer jet ski insurance as its own product. These vehicles are smaller but still capable of high speeds and are involved in a high number of accidents each year.

PWC policies typically offer similar coverage—liability, medical, and physical damage—but are tailored to the specific risks of personal watercraft.

Why Specialized Coverage Matters

Marine coverage takes into account things like:

• Navigation limits (where you’re allowed to operate)
• Storage concerns (on land or in the water)
• Seasonal use (year-round vs. summer-only)

Unlike homeowners insurance, boat policies are built around these details. That means better protection when you’re on the water—and fewer surprises if something goes wrong.

Love the water? Make sure your coverage floats too. Get a quote today to explore boat and jet ski insurance options that may work for your needs.