Start a new quote
New customer to Sun Coast? You are in the right place. Select a product below to get started.
New customer to Sun Coast? You are in the right place. Select a product below to get started.
Jet Skis are built for fun, not paperwork. But that doesn’t mean you can skip insurance. Whether you're cruising solo on a quiet lake or racing friends on open water, accidents happen—and when they do, being uninsured could cost you big.
So, do you need insurance for a Jet Ski? Let’s break it down.
The short answer: it depends on your state. Some states require liability coverage for personal watercraft (PWC), especially if you operate them in public waterways. Others don’t mandate insurance but strongly recommend it. And even if your state doesn’t require it, marinas or lenders might.
In other words: even when it’s not legally required, you still may need coverage to use or finance your Jet Ski.
It might—but don’t count on it. Some standard boat insurance policies can include PWC coverage, but it's often limited or comes with exclusions.
For example, your policy may only cover boats over a certain length or horsepower, leaving your Jet Ski out in the cold. It may also exclude:
Always check the fine print. When in doubt, assume your boat insurance may not fully protect your Jet Ski.
Homeowners insurance may offer some limited protection for watercraft, but it usually doesn’t extend to liability or on-water incidents involving PWCs.
In some cases, homeowners insurance may cover:
But it almost never covers on-the-water accidents, injuries, or collisions. So if you cause a wreck or someone gets hurt while riding your Jet Ski, you could be paying out-of-pocket.
For real coverage, you’ll want a dedicated PWC policy.
A PWC policy can include:
Legally? Maybe not in every state.
But practically speaking, yes—especially if you want to protect yourself from liability, theft, or accidents on the water.
Even a minor crash on your Jet Ski can lead to thousands of dollars in property damage, medical bills, or lawsuits. Standard boat or homeowners insurance may not give you the full coverage you need for personal watercraft. That’s where a dedicated PWC policy comes in.
Personal Watercraft Insurance can offer liability protection, cover collisions, and help you recover losses from theft or vandalism. For most riders, the peace of mind is worth the cost—especially with premiums starting around $100 per year.
