Pontoon Boat Insurance

A pontoon boat is ideal on a slow-moving river or an inland lake. Pontoons are essentially motorized rafts that can hold 12 or more people at a time. However, more people can often mean more liability risk when it comes to boats. That's why it’s important to have liability insurance when you use your pontoon boat, especially if you have passengers. If you have a particularly expensive boat, having coverage against collisions or severe weather damage is also critical.

Luckily, a local independent insurance agent can help you get set up with the right pontoon boat insurance policy. They'll get you matched to the ideal amount of coverage for your unique vessel. But first, here's a deep dive into pontoon boat insurance, what it covers, and why it's necessary.

What Is Pontoon Boat Insurance?

Pontoon boat insurance is a specialized type of boat insurance or personal watercraft (PWC) insurance designed for boaters who own pontoons. Pontoon boats are lightweight and versatile and can carry many passengers at once. 

Pontoon boat insurance policies can typically cover traditional pontoon boats, tritoon boats, and luxury pontoon boats. Coverage is designed to protect against expenses related to liability, third-party property damage or bodily injury, medical payments, equipment damage or loss, towing collisions, and more.

Do I Need to Insure My Pontoon Boat?

If you own a pontoon boat, you may actually be required to get various types of insurance coverage for it. Liability coverage is critical to reimburse you for possible lawsuits that can arise if a third party gets injured or has their personal property damaged or destroyed by you or your boat. 

Hull coverage is also essential, which can pay to repair or replace your boat if it gets damaged or destroyed by a collision, storm, theft, vandalism, or fire. 

For those who finance their pontoon boats or dock them at a marina, pontoon boat insurance may be mandatory. However, pontoon boat insurance isn't typically required by law. 

That said, having a policy can help boaters pay to repair or replace their boats in case of an incident. Coverage can also help boat owners avoid bankruptcy in the event of an expensive lawsuit. Uninsured boaters can suffer from potentially hefty financial losses in addition to not being allowed to dock their vessels or secure financing.

What Does Pontoon Boat Insurance Cover?

Pontoon boat insurance coverage typically comes with several forms of protection for boat owners. These usually include the following:

• Marine liability insurance: Pays for third-party claims of bodily injury or personal property damage caused by you or your boat. Coverage can pay for legal defense and settlement costs in a lawsuit, as well as medical expenses and property repair or replacement.
• Collision coverage: Pays for damage to your boat from a collision with another object, regardless of fault. 
• Comprehensive coverage: Pays for damage to your boat due to a non-collision event such as a flood or theft. 

An independent insurance agent can help you find the right pontoon boat insurance policy for your specific vessel.

Additional Pontoon Boat Insurance Coverage to Consider

Your pontoon boat insurance policy may not be complete with just the basic types of coverage provided in most policies. There are several additional types of coverage to consider, including:

• On-water towing coverage: This can reimburse you for the cost of fuel delivery, soft un-groundings, and jump-starts if your watercraft becomes disabled while out on the water.
• Water sports coverage: This can reimburse boaters for bodily injuries and property damage while a pontoon boat is being used for water sports, such as waterskiing, wakeboarding, wake surfing, kneeboarding, tubing, etc.
• Replacement cost personal effects coverage: This can pay to repair or replace your lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed personal property that's on your boat, including cell phones, cameras, clothing, tablets, and any other items that aren't boating-related.
• Disappearing deductibles coverage: This is an option offered by certain insurance companies, such as Progressive, for boaters who remain claim-free for a certain period of time. 

Certain insurers may also offer coverage for fishing equipment and roadside assistance. Your independent insurance agent can help you build a complete pontoon boat insurance policy with every type of coverage you might need.

What's Not Covered by Pontoon Boat Insurance?

A pontoon boat insurance policy comes with various exclusions that are important to be aware of. Some things that are typically not covered by pontoon boat insurance are as follows:

• General wear and tear
• Insect damage or infestation
• Collisions with marine life
• Intentional or malicious acts against others
• Houseboats
• Boats used for business purposes
• Personal vehicles

Houseboats typically need a special type of boat insurance, so you'll want to work with an independent insurance agent if you own or live on one to get it properly insured. 

To cover pontoon boats used for business purposes, you'll need a specific type of business insurance known as commercial boat insurance. Additionally, to insure your cars and other personal vehicles, you'll need auto insurance.

How Much Pontoon Boat Insurance Do I Need?

Because of their size, weight, and number of passengers, pontoon wrecks can result in significant property damage and injuries. If a few of your passengers get hurt and have to be treated at a hospital, the costs could be extensive. Pontoon boat insurance coverage is often available in a few different categories:

1. Actual cash value coverage: Pays the current market value of the boat at the time of loss.
2. Agreed value coverage: Pays the amount that you and your insurance company agree is the current value, which may take into account upgrades and other factors.
3. Total loss replacement coverage: Pays for the replacement of your boat with a similar model. Coverage is typically only available for newer boats.

The amount of coverage you need depends on the value of your pontoon, whether you store it at home or a marina, and how often the boat is in storage. 

How, when, and where you use your boat can affect the risks your boat is exposed to. Your independent insurance agent can help you select the right type and amount of pontoon boat insurance coverage.

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How Much Does Pontoon Boat Insurance Cost?

Pontoon boat insurance costs can depend on a number of different factors, such as the make and model of the boat you own. Additional factors can include the following: 

• The value of the boat
• The engine size of the boat
• The length of the boat
• Where and how often the boat is used
• How the boat is docked and stored
• Prior claims history

In general, larger, more expensive boats will cost more to insure than smaller, cheaper boats. The cost of your coverage also depends on the insurance company that underwrites your policy. An independent insurance agent can help you compare pontoon boat insurance quotes in your area. 

Common Discounts for Pontoon Boat Insurance

The most common way to get a pontoon boat discount is by bundling your coverage with your auto insurance or homeowners insurance. You can also qualify for pontoon boat insurance discounts if you:

• Have a claims-free insurance record
• Have a clean driving record
• Have experience with a pontoon boat
• Have taken a boater safety training course

Your independent insurance agent can help you find and apply any pontoon boat insurance discounts you qualify for to save the most money on your policy.

An Independent Insurance Agent Can Help You Get a Quote for Pontoon Boat Insurance

Pontoon boating is a beloved leisure activity for many boaters. Don't let your favorite hobby turn into a financial nightmare because you lack the proper coverage when an incident occurs. 

Local independent insurance agents are standing by to help you find the right pontoon boat insurance policy for your unique vessel. These agents can shop and compare policies and quotes from multiple carriers to find the best blend of coverage and cost. And down the road, your agent can help you file boat insurance claims and update your coverage as necessary.