Minnesota boat insurance

Do you need boat insurance in Minnesota?

Boat insurance isn't required by Minnesota law, but some marinas may mandate boat liability coverage. 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.

If you own your boat outright and you aren't required to carry liability coverage, protecting your watercraft investment — as well as your assets if you cause an accident on the water — can still be important for boaters in Minnesota.

How much is boat insurance in Minnesota?

In 2023, the average annual cost for a Progressive boat insurance policy in Minnesota was $264.28.^* However, Progressive offers boat insurance in Minnesota 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

How to lower the cost of boat insurance in Minnesota

If you live in St. Cloud, Minneapolis, Bloomington, or anywhere else in Minnesota, there are multiple ways to obtain cheap boat insurance. Progressive lets you start saving 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 Minnesota?

From Moorhead to St. Paul to Duluth and throughout Minnesota, the best boat insurance policy gives you personalized protection at an affordable price. Progressive provides inexpensive coverage that's customized to you and your vessel. Plus, unlike some boat insurers, we don't require a marine survey in order to get a policy.

Additional boat coverages in Minnesota

• 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.

Minnesota boating information

1. All motorized watercraft regardless of length and nonmotorized watercraft over 10 feet must be licensed by Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources.
2. Minnesota laws require that boaters must be at least 12 years of age to operate motors over 25 hp and must be certified.
3. According to Minnesota boating laws, all recreational motorboats, including sailboats with motors, with enclosed compartments must be equipped with a functioning marine CO detection system.

How to get Minnesota boat insurance