Boat insurance in Indiana
Indiana law does not require insurance for recreational boats. Call us to talk through coverage for yours.
- Does Indiana law require boat insurance?
- NoLenders and marinas can still ask for it
- A $25,000 pontoon here
- $250 to $590 a yearLow-cost state in Progressive's averages
- Registered boats, 2024
- 193,554U.S. Coast Guard count
- Boater education
- Driver's license, or 15+ with courseA motorboat with more than 10 hp requires a valid driver's license. Without one, the operator needs to be 15 or older, finish a boater education course, and carry an ID card issued by the BMV.
Sources: in.gov, faqs.in.gov; U.S. Coast Guard 2024 boating statistics; Progressive state averages.
Want a firm price for a boat kept in Indiana? 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.
Share your boat's details, its value, and where you store it, and we will price a policy for you.
What the law says about cover
Recreational boat owners face no Indiana insurance mandate. Boats that carry paying passengers follow a different rule, though: they need marine liability coverage for bodily injury, set at whichever figure is smaller, $85,000 for each passenger in a single accident or $1,000,000 in all.
Insurance can help with boat damage or injuries, depending on the coverage you choose. Call us and we will walk you through the cover that suits the way you boat.
What does Indiana require of boat owners?
Every owner has other obligations, and knowing them before your first trip out makes life easier.
- Registration: Watercraft registration runs through the Indiana BMV. Nearly all boats must be registered and display decals. Motorless canoes, rowboats, and paddleboats are exempt, while sailboats are not.
- Title: If you live in Indiana, every boat that needs registering also needs an Indiana title.
- Fees: Boats measuring 13 to 25 feet pay an $18 length fee on top of a charge tied to their excise class. You renew registration annually.
- Excise tax: This yearly charge is based on what the boat originally cost and how old it is. Boats in storage pay a flat $12 instead.
- Who may drive: Anyone younger than 15 cannot run a personal watercraft or a motorboat above 10 horsepower. At age 15, someone without a driver's license must finish an approved boating course and get a BMV identification card.
- Alcohol: It is a criminal offense to run a motorboat when your alcohol level is 0.08 or higher. The basic charge is a Class C misdemeanor.
When a boat gets sold or destroyed completely, you may claim back part of the excise tax. Your insurer's total-loss statement works as the proof.
What does boat insurance cost in Indiana?
Progressive places Indiana in its low-cost state group. In that group, the typical Progressive boat policy averaged $307 per year across 2024 and 2025. The figures in the table are our own estimates for boats kept in Indiana, so treat them as a guide, not as quotes.
| Boat type | Value | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|
| Jet ski (personal watercraft) | $14,000 | $140 to $370 |
| Bass or fishing boat | $40,000 | $400 to $600 |
| Pontoon boat | $25,000 | $250 to $590 |
| Ski, wake, or bowrider boat | $50,000 | $500 to $750 |
| Sailboat | $45,000 | $450 to $1,110 |
| Yacht or cruiser | $150,000 | $1,500 to $3,000 |
These estimates are a starting point. The method behind our numbers is on our cost page. Call us today with your boat, its value and where you keep it, or get a range for your own boat with our three-step price range, and we'll give you a price for a policy.
Indiana boating in figures
The U.S. Coast Guard counted 193,554 registered recreational boats in Indiana during 2024. Over that same year, the state recorded 46 accidents on the water, with four people killed, 14 hurt, and property damage totaling $256,700.
Questions we hear often
Do I need boat insurance in Indiana?
Not when you use it recreationally. Marine liability insurance is required only for boats that carry paying passengers. Even so, one accident can leave you paying for repairs or someone's injuries yourself. Call us and we'll set you up with cover that fits how you use your boat.
What does insurance cost for a $30,000 boat?
Our estimates are $250 to $590 a year for a $25,000 pontoon and $400 to $600 for a $40,000 fishing boat. Call us and we'll give you a price for yours.
Which company is cheapest?
It depends on the boat you own, what it's worth, and where it's stored, so no single insurer comes out cheapest for everyone. Progressive reported a $307 yearly average for its low-cost group of states, which includes Indiana. Tell us about your boat and we'll price it for you today.
Boat insurers to compare in Indiana
| 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 Indiana. All insurers side by side
Indiana boating rules an insurer will ask about
| Topic | The rule in Indiana | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Boater education | A motorboat with more than 10 hp requires a valid driver's license. Without one, the operator needs to be 15 or older, finish a boater education course, and carry an ID card issued by the BMV. | faqs.in.gov |
| Jet ski age | Anyone younger than 15 cannot run a PWC or any motorboat above 10 hp. A 15-year-old who lacks a driver's license needs an approved course plus a BMV ID card. | boat-ed.com |
| Registration | The Indiana BMV handles watercraft registration. Every watercraft using Indiana waterways needs registration and decals unless exempt; the exemption covers non-motorized canoes, plus rowboats and paddleboats, while sailboats do not qualify for that exemption. At first registration, the charge combines a length fee with an excise-class fee; a boat measuring 13 to 25 ft has an $18 length fee. Renewals occur annually. | in.gov |
| Title | Indiana residents need to get their Indiana certificate of title for every watercraft, except watercraft exempt from registration. | in.gov |
| Also in this state | Indiana collects a boat excise tax each year at registration. The amount follows the boat's class, meaning original MSRP, and its age; stored boats owe $12 as a flat charge instead. If you sell a boat or it is totally destroyed, you can claim part of the boat excise tax back as a credit/refund. An insurer's total-loss statement works as proof. | in.gov |
| Boating under the influence | Running a motorboat with a blood alcohol level at or above 0.08 is a crime. The basic charge counts as a Class C misdemeanor. | law.justia.com |
| Who runs boating | The Indiana BMV handles watercraft titling and registration. Indiana DNR Law Enforcement leads boating education and enforcement. | in.gov |
| Accidents reported, 2024 | 46 boating accidents, 4 deaths and 14 people injured, with $256,700 of reported damage. | uscgboating.org |
How Indiana compares with every other state: the boat insurance law table.
Quotes for a boat kept in Indiana
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