Boat Insurance in Maryland

How does Maryland boat insurance work?

While boat insurance isn't mandatory in the state of Maryland, you may be required to show proof of insurance at private marinas and docks if you choose to dock your watercraft there. Your lender will also usually require boat insurance if you're financing your watercraft.

If you frequently host people on your boat who aren't part of your immediate household, a Maryland boat policy's liability coverage may help safeguard your assets if you're legally responsible for another party's injuries or damages. A boat insurance policy may also cover the unexpected, including instances of theft and vandalism that necessitate repairs or replacement. If a covered occurrence happens, you'll file a claim with your insurer and they'll work with you and the other parties to provide coverage.

What's included in a standard MD boat insurance policy?

Bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage can help pay for injuries to someone else and damage to their property if you're liable. Bodily injury liability coverage may help with medical and legal expenses if someone on your boat, on another boat, or in the water is injured. Property damage liability coverage may pay for damages your boat causes to someone's boat, marina, dock, or other piece of property, plus legal fees. As with any liability coverage, choose a coverage limit sufficient for protecting you and your assets.

If you need more than a $500,000 liability limit, an umbrella policy can offer extra protection up to $5 million. Learn more about boat insurance liability coverage.

Watersport coverage helps pay for medical costs associated with accidents involving on-the-water sports like water tubing and skiing.

Fuel spill covers legally required fuel cleanup costs, no matter how the spill happened.

Wreckage removal coverage may pay for the removal of your boat from the water in the event it sinks in an accident or storm.

Optional boat coverages

Collision and comprehensive: Collision coverage protects your watercraft from accidents involving other boaters and objects such as buoys and docks. On the other hand, comprehensive coverage covers the cost to replace or repair your boat for non-collision events outside your control, such as fire, theft, and vandalism. This type of coverage may be helpful if you tend to store your boat during the long winter months when your boat isn't in use. If you're financing your boat, your lender will likely require both collision and comprehensive. Learn more about comprehensive and collision coverage for boats.

Propulsion Plus^® mechanical breakdown: Propulsion Plus mechanical breakdown coverage will help if the lower unit of an outboard motor or the upper and lower units of an inboard/outboard motor break down — even if it's from wear and tear.

Sign & Glide^®: Sign & Glide^® towing assistance^† will help if your boat is disabled in the water, with on-water towing, jump starts, fuel delivery, and more.

See all boat insurance coverages.

Does Progressive insure yachts?

Yes, if you're a boater in Maryland with a yacht over 26 feet, Progressive can help you get the insurance you need.

How much is boat insurance in Maryland?

Boat season isn't as long in Maryland as it is further south or west, but many boating opportunities come courtesy of the Atlantic Ocean. As such, Maryland is considered a higher-cost state when it comes to boat insurance. In addition to the type of coverage you opt for, many factors determine the cost of Maryland boat insurance, including:

• Make, model, and year of the boat: Insuring larger, older, or more expensive boats often leads to higher premiums.
• Your age: Generally, the older you are, the more affordable your rate may be.
• Boating experience: More experienced boaters may pay less for boat insurance than newer boaters.
• Claims history: This may include both at-fault and no-fault claims.

How can I lower my boat insurance rate in Maryland?

Discounts vary by state, but in Maryland, you may be able to lower your insurance rate if:

• Responsible driver: you have no watercraft or motor vehicle violations or accidents on your record for the last three years.
• Multi-policy discount: you have another policy with Progressive; you can bundle and save on boat insurance.
• Original owner: you're the original owner; you're entitled to a discount on your boat insurance policy with comprehensive and collision coverages.
• Safety course: you completed a Maryland-approved safety course.

See if you qualify for more boat insurance discounts.

How to get boat insurance in Maryland