Boat insurance in Alaska
State law in Alaska does not make you buy boat insurance, though a marina may still want you to have it before giving you a slip.
- Does Alaska law require boat insurance?
- NoLenders and marinas can still ask for it
- A $25,000 pontoon here
- $480 to $1,250 a yearHigh-cost state in Progressive's averages
- Registered boats, 2024
- 43,440U.S. Coast Guard count
- Boater education
- Not requiredAlaska sets no boating-education requirement, and finishing an approved course may qualify the owner for an insurance discount.
Sources: dnr.alaska.gov, dmv.alaska.gov; U.S. Coast Guard 2024 boating statistics; Progressive state averages.
Want a firm price for a boat kept in Alaska? Send a quote request or call +1 (833) 721-5475.
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What kind of boat?
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What you paid, or what boats like it sell for. A rough figure is fine.
Type the value in dollars, between $500 and $5,000,000.
An estimate, not a quote. How we work it out
The line reaches Boat Insurance Compare. Have the boat, its value and your state ready.
Rather have it in writing? Send a quote request with the answers you just gave.
What you pay mostly comes down to the kind of boat you own, its value, and where it is stored. Give us a call now and we can walk through a price range for your boat.
Every kind of boat costs something different
In 2024, Alaska counted 43,440 registered recreational boats, everything from jet skis up to cruisers. Boat type affects the price, so a fishing boat and a sailboat may have different costs to insure.
In 2024 the state had 22 boating accidents, with 20 people killed, 13 hurt and $202,000 in damage. If something goes wrong on your boat, coverage can help with the bills, so call now and we'll go over it with you.
Alaska boat insurance requirements
Alaska has no law forcing boaters to hold liability insurance. This coverage pays out if you injure a person or wreck their property while operating your boat.
Even so, marinas can require liability coverage, so check with yours before agreeing to a slip. Should your marina want proof of coverage, give us a call and we can talk through pricing for your boat ahead of booking.
What does boat insurance cost in Alaska?
Alaska falls in Progressive's high-cost group of states, and a typical yearly Progressive boat policy in that group averaged $663 during 2024 to 2025.
Here are our estimates for boats kept in Alaska. Treat them as ballpark figures, not actual quotes.
| Boat type | Estimated value | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|
| Personal watercraft (jet ski) | $14,000 | $160 to $700 |
| Sailing boat | $45,000 | $800 to $2,250 |
| Pontoon boat | $25,000 | $480 to $1,250 |
| Yacht or cruiser | $150,000 | $1,600 to $3,210 |
| Fishing or bass boat | $40,000 | $480 to $1,280 |
| Ski, wake, or bowrider boat | $50,000 | $500 to $1,280 |
Call now with your boat's type, value and where it stays, and we will go over the estimated price range for your boat with you. You can also read how we work out our estimates.
Other Alaska boating rules to know
These rules cover your boat and whoever is driving it, not the insurance policy itself.
- Registration: if your boat is used mostly in Alaska, you must register it with the DMV, unless it is exempt. Powered boats cost $24, and boats without a motor cost $10.
- Title: this is the document proving the boat belongs to you. Boats over 24 feet long need a title unless documented with the U.S. Coast Guard. At 24 feet or under, getting one is up to you.
- Boating course: Alaska does not require one, though completing an approved course may earn you a discount on insurance.
- Drinking: Alaska's DUI law applies to operating a boat with a blood alcohol reading of 0.08% or higher.
- Life jackets: kids younger than 13 have to wear a life jacket approved by the Coast Guard when riding on an open boat or an open deck.
- Jet skis: no Alaska rule says an adult has to be aboard when a minor operates one.
The Alaska Office of Boating Safety, which sits within State Parks, handles boating safety across the state.
Questions we hear often
What does insurance cost for a $30,000 boat?
By our estimate, a $30,000 pontoon, fishing boat or bowrider kept in Alaska costs about $480 to $1,280 a year, and a $30,000 sailboat about $800 to $1,500. The price depends on the boat's type, value and where it stays; call with those details and we'll go over a range for yours.
Which boat insurance is cheapest in Alaska?
Of our estimates, the $14,000 jet ski has the lowest starting price: $160 a year.
Boat insurers to compare in Alaska
| Insurer | Policy issued by | Payout after a loss | Towing on the water |
|---|---|---|---|
 Progressive | Progressive | Partial losses paid at full replacement cost with comprehensive and collision | Sign & Glide on-water towing, optional |
 BoatUS | GEICO Marine | Agreed hull value (except PWC) or actual cash value | TowBoatUS add-on starting at $3 a month |
 GEICO | GEICO Marine Insurance Company | Choice of agreed hull value or actual cash value | Add-on through BoatUS, 24/7 |
 State Farm | State Farm Fire and Casualty | Total loss paid at agreed value; repairs at replacement cost | Emergency service covered |
 Allstate | Allstate | Agreed value available | Emergency services covered up to $100 |
 Markel | Markel American | Agreed value; actual cash value available on yachts | Emergency towing offered |
What each insurer publishes about its own policy; each confirms on the quote that it writes your boat in Alaska. All insurers side by side
Alaska boating rules an insurer will ask about
| Topic | The rule in Alaska | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Boater education | Alaska sets no boating-education requirement, and finishing an approved course may qualify the owner for an insurance discount. | dnr.alaska.gov |
| Jet ski age | Alaska does not require an adult to be aboard if a minor is operating a PWC. | uscgboating.org |
| Registration | Unless exempt, every boat mainly used in Alaska must register with the DMV. The Alaska DMV sets registration at $24 for powered boats; non-powered boats pay $10. | dmv.alaska.gov |
| Title | A boat longer than 24 feet needs a title unless it is USCG documented; at 24 feet or less, titling is optional. | dmv.alaska.gov |
| Boating under the influence | Alaska's DUI statute reaches operating a watercraft with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Alaska's DUI crime expressly covers operating a watercraft. | codes.findlaw.com |
| Who runs boating | The Alaska Office of Boating Safety, part of DNR (State Parks), oversees recreational boating safety in Alaska. | dnr.alaska.gov |
| Also in this state | On an open boat or open deck, anyone under 13 has to wear a USCG-approved life jacket. | dnr.alaska.gov |
| Accidents reported, 2024 | 22 boating accidents, 20 deaths and 13 people injured, with $202,000 of reported damage. | uscgboating.org |
How Alaska compares with every other state: the boat insurance law table.
Quotes for a boat kept in Alaska
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