Does Boat Insurance Cover My Fishing Gear, Electronics, and Personal Items?

Disclaimer: Boat insurance coverage varies by company and policy. The information below is general and may not reflect the exact features offered by your insurer. Always review your policy documents or speak with a licensed agent to understand your specific coverage.

Your Boat Isn’t the Only Thing at Risk — Your Gear Is Too

When you take your boat or PWC out, you’re packing far more than the vessel itself:

Fishing rods, reels, tackle boxes, coolers, speakers, phones, depth finders, and other personal items are all part of a typical day on the water.

But if something falls overboard, gets stolen, or is damaged — does boat insurance help?

The good news: many policies can include coverage for fishing equipment, electronics, and personal effects, depending on what you choose when you set up your policy.

Below is a breakdown of how these protections typically work and what items are usually included.

What Boat Insurance Can Cover

1. Fishing Equipment Coverage

Fishing gear can be surprisingly expensive — and surprisingly easy to lose or damage.

Boat insurance policies can include optional fishing equipment coverage that protects items such as:

• Rods and reels
• Tackle and lures
• Tackle boxes
• Nets
• Fish finders / depth finders
• Trolling motors

This coverage often pays replacement cost, meaning you’re reimbursed for the value of new gear, not depreciated value.

What’s not usually covered:

• Normal wear and tear
• Lost items with no known cause
• Commercial fishing equipment unless the policy specifically allows it

2. Electronics & Onboard Equipment

Your boat’s electronics may also be protected under the policy’s boat equipment or personal effects coverage, which can include:

• GPS units
• Fish finders
• Stereos/speakers
• Navigation electronics
• GoPro or action cameras
• Cell phones

Some items are considered part of the boat (like permanently mounted electronics), while others are considered personal effects (like phones or removable speakers). Coverage limits may differ for each.

3. Personal Effects

Personal items you bring onboard may also be covered under a policy’s personal effects coverage, which may include:

• Phones and cameras
• Cooler contents
• Portable electronics
• Life jackets
• Clothing
• Personal gear and bags
• Safety equipment
• Water skis / wakeboards

This coverage protects these items from events like theft, fire, or certain types of accidental damage.

4. What’s Typically Not Covered

Every policy is different, but in general, boat insurance usually does not cover:

• Cash or jewelry
• Fine art or luxury items brought onboard
• Business equipment
• Wear and tear
• Manufacturer defects
• Items with no proof of ownership

Example Scenario

You’re out fishing with a friend on a Saturday morning.

The boat hits a wave, your friend drops a rod overboard, and your depth finder takes a hit and cracks.

Depending on your policy:

• Fishing gear coverage may help replace the rod.
• Personal effects coverage may help with your friend’s lost items.
• Equipment coverage may apply to the damaged depth finder.

Without these optional protections, you’d likely be paying out of pocket.

Bottom Line

Boat insurance doesn’t just protect your vessel — it can also help protect the gear you use and the personal items you bring every trip. With optional add-ons for fishing equipment, electronics, and other personal effects, you can tailor a policy to fit how you actually use your boat.

Ready to protect your boat and everything that comes with it?

Get a free marine insurance quote today.