Virginia boat insurance

Does Virginia require boat insurance?

Boat insurance isn't required by Virginia 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 Virginia.

How much is boat insurance in Virginia?

In 2023, the average annual cost for a Progressive boat insurance policy in Virginia was $386.38.^* However, Progressive offers boat insurance in Virginia 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 Virginia

If you live in Richmond, Roanoke, Norfolk, or anywhere else in Virginia, 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 Virginia?

From Blacksburg to Virginia Beach and throughout Virginia, the best boat insurance policy gives you freedom and peace of mind. Progressive lets you navigate ocean waters within 75 miles of the coast with coverages designed to protect you and your boat. Plus, we don't require a marine survey.

Additional boat coverages in Virginia

• 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.

Virginia boating information

1. Virginia boating laws require a Certificate of Title and a Certificate of Number for all watercraft propelled by machinery, including gasoline, diesel, and electric motors.
2. Per Virginia boating laws, all PWC operators aged 14 and older and all operators (regardless of age) of motorboats with a 10 hp or greater engine need to take a boating safety course.
3. In Virginia, there must be one wearable U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person on the boat.

How to get Virginia boat insurance