Hawaii boat insurance

Hawaii's history is closely tied to the waters that surround it, making boating a central part of the state's culture. If you own a pontoon, runabout, or another type of watercraft, Progressive offers customized and affordable protection for you and your boat, on and off the water. Learn about boat insurance in Hawaii, including requirements, coverages, discounts, and cost information.

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Does Hawaii require boat insurance?

Vessels greater than 26 feet in length that are registered or documented in Hawaii and operated in state waters must have at least $100,000 of insurance to cover the removal and salvage of a grounded or sunk watercraft. To acquire and maintain a mooring permit in a state facility, further state requirements apply. In addition, if you lease or finance your watercraft, your lender may require comprehensive and collision coverages for your boat, which may pay to repair or replace your damaged or stolen watercraft.

Coverage	What it covers
Bodily injury and property damage liability	What it coversInjuries you're liable for and damage you cause to another boat or property while boating. Property damage liability also covers the cost to recover your watercraft should it become grounded or sink.
Comprehensive	What it coversTheft, vandalism, fire, glass breakage, collisions with animals, and weather-related issues
Collision	What it coversCollisions with another watercraft, docks, or objects

Should you add comprehensive and collision coverage?

If you're financing or leasing your boat, lenders typically mandate boat comprehensive and collision coverage. But even if your boat is paid off, comprehensive and collision can be crucial safeguards against damage to what is often one of your most prized assets.

Comprehensive covers events out of your control, including boat theft, vandalism, fire, hitting an animal, and weather-related issues. Collision covers your boat if you collide with another watercraft, dock, or any object. Both coverages can pay up to the actual cash value of your watercraft, minus your policy's deductible.

How much is boat insurance in Hawaii?

In 2023, the average annual cost for a Progressive boat insurance policy in Hawaii was $573.84.^** However, Progressive offers boat insurance in Hawaii for as little as $100/year for a liability only policy.^* Your cost for boat insurance depends on several factors, such as:

Type of watercraft: From pontoon boats to PWCs , your boat's unique features may influence your rate
Boating experience: Experienced boaters may pay less for boat insurance than boaters new to operating a watercraft
Claims history: If you've filed an insurance claim in the past, regardless of fault, you may pay more for a boat policy
Horsepower: A powerboat with a large engine may cost more to insure than a sailboat with a smaller engine

Boaters in Hawaii can save on boat insurance by bundling insurance policies with Progressive. Get a multi-policy discount when you combine boat insurance with auto or motorcycle insurance.

How to lower the cost of boat insurance in Hawaii

If you live in Honolulu, East Honolulu, Hilo, or anywhere else in the Aloha State, there are multiple ways to score cheap boat insurance in Hawaii. Progressive helps you start to save immediately with a variety of discounts that can be automatically added to your policy, such as:

Multi-policy
Paid in full
Responsible driver
Safety course
Original owner

Find out more about boat insurance discounts.

What's the best boat insurance in Hawaii?

From the Big Island to the Forbidden Isle and all over Hawaii, the best boat insurance policy gives you freedom and peace of mind. Progressive lets you navigate ocean waters within 75 miles of the Hawaiian coast with coverages designed to protect you and your boat. Plus, unlike some boat insurers, we don't require a marine survey in order to get a policy.

Pro tip:

Auto insurance may pay for injuries or damages you cause while towing your boat trailer, but it won't pay for damage to your trailer. However, a boat insurance policy can pay to repair or replace your damaged boat trailer up to your policy's limits.

Additional boat coverages in Hawaii

Sign & Glide®: If your boat is stuck on the water, Sign & Glide® towing assistance^†† can help with on-water towing, jump starts, fuel delivery,^† and more.
Propulsion Plus® mechanical breakdown coverage: In the event of a mechanical breakdown, Progressive can pay to repair or replace the lower unit of an outboard motor or the upper and lower units of an inboard/outboard motor (coverage doesn't apply to jet drives or inboard motors).
Wreckage removal: If your boat sinks, we can pay to remove your boat from the water.
Fuel spill: Progressive covers the cost of legally required cleaning that comes with spilled fuel.
Watersport coverage: If your guests are injured from water-tubing, water-skiing, and other related sports, we may cover their medical expenses up to a certain limit.
Fishing equipment or carry-on items: If your fishing equipment or other gear is lost or stolen, you can receive the full replacement cost up to $10,000 for fishing gear, scuba gear, phones, and other items. There's a $1,000 limit per item.

See all Progressive boat insurance coverages.

Hawaii boating information

Hawaii boaters must take a state-approved boating safety course and show proof of certification upon demand by law enforcement, per Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources recommends subscribing to the U.S. Coast Guard Local Notices to Mariners, as some waters in Hawaii are off-limits to recreational boaters.
Registering a boat in Hawaii that's less than 20 feet in length costs $25. For boats longer than 20 feet, registration costs $40.