Personal watercraft insurance covers Jet Skis, Sea-Doos, and WaveRunners with basic protection, while yacht insurance protects vessels 30+ feet with comprehensive coverage that costs significantly more due to vessel value and complexity. The main differences? PWCs need separate policies (your homeowners won't cut it), yacht coverage includes specialized protections like crew liability and pollution coverage, and costs scale dramatically with vessel size and value. Bottom line: Match your coverage to your ride—don't pay yacht premiums for PWC protection or leave your valuable vessel exposed with inadequate coverage.
Personal watercraft insurance protects your Jet Ski, Sea-Doo, or WaveRunner with specialized coverage that your homeowners policy simply won't provide.
Most homeowners' policies provide very limited payouts for watercraft and don't include liability coverage. That's a problem when your PWC can hit 60+ mph and cause serious damage. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners defines boatowners/personal watercraft insurance as coverage for "damage to pleasure boats, motors, trailers, boating equipment, and personal watercraft as well as bodily injury and property damage liability to others."
What PWC insurance typically covers:
Cost reality check: PWC insurance costs vary significantly based on your watercraft's value, location, and coverage level. Comprehensive policies typically cost a percentage of your watercraft's value annually.
The kicker? PWCs require their own separate insurance policy—you can't just add them to your existing boat policy. Insurance companies treat them as distinct risks due to their speed, maneuverability, and the types of accidents they're involved in. According to U.S. Coast Guard accident statistics, operator error accounts for the majority of personal watercraft incidents, making proper coverage essential.
Yacht insurance is built for vessels typically 30+ feet long and valued at higher amounts, with coverage that goes way beyond basic boat protection.
Yacht insurance typically provides more comprehensive coverage, including protection against damage to the vessel, liability for injuries or damage to others, and coverage for personal property on board. But here's where it gets interesting—yacht policies include specialized protections you won't find elsewhere.
Unique yacht insurance features:
The price difference is real: Yacht insurance policies require significantly higher premiums due to increased vessel values, specialized coverage requirements, and maritime law protections. Premium costs scale with vessel size, value, and intended use.
The coverage gap between PWC and yacht insurance isn't just about price—it's about fundamentally different risk profiles and protection needs.
PWC coverage limitations:
Yacht coverage advantages:
The crossover challenge: If you own a larger PWC or a small yacht (26-35 feet), you might find yourself in a coverage gray area. Recreational boats—those under 27 feet—typically require additional boat insurance coverage, particularly if they travel at high speeds.
Insurance costs vary significantly based on your watercraft type, location, and coverage choices—here's what influences pricing.
PWC insurance costs:
Yacht insurance costs:
Location makes a difference: Coastal areas prone to hurricanes and severe weather typically have higher insurance costs than inland regions with calmer waters and shorter boating seasons.
Ways to reduce costs:
Modern digital-first insurers like Roamly's boat insurance platform are streamlining the quote process and eliminating traditional red tape like navigation plans or marine surveys, making it easier to get appropriate coverage quickly.
Which Type of Coverage Is Right for Your Situation?
Choose your coverage based on your watercraft, how you use it, and what you can't afford to lose.
Choose PWC insurance if you:
Choose yacht insurance if you:
The middle ground option: For boats 26-35 feet, consider enhanced boat insurance with marine endorsements. This gives you more protection than basic PWC coverage without full yacht insurance complexity. Many adventure-focused boaters also own multiple recreational vehicles, making it worth exploring comprehensive recreational insurance options that can bundle boats, RVs, motorcycles, and other toys for additional savings.
Red flags that mean you need better coverage:
While most states don't legally require watercraft insurance (similar to travel trailer insurance requirements), marinas and lenders typically mandate coverage, making proper protection essential regardless of legal requirements.
Don't let the wrong insurance choice sink your budget or leave you exposed to major losses. Whether you're carving wakes on a Jet Ski or cruising to the Caribbean on your yacht, matching your coverage to your actual needs protects both your investment and your peace of mind.
Roamly Insurance Group, LLC ("Roamly") is a licensed general agent for affiliated and non-affiliated insurance companies. Roamly is licensed as an agency in all states in which products are offered. Availability and qualification for coverage, terms, rates, and discounts may vary by jurisdiction. We do not in any way imply that the materials on the site or products are available in jurisdictions in which we are not licensed to do business or that we are soliciting business in any such jurisdiction. Coverage under your insurance policy is subject to the terms and conditions of that policy and is ultimately the decision of the buyer.
Policies provided by Roamly are underwritten by Spinnaker Insurance Company, Progressive Insurance Company, Safeco Insurance, Foremost Insurance Company, National General Insurance, Allstate Insurance Company, Mobilitas Insurance Company, Lyndon Southern Insurance Company and others.