Boat insurance in New York
No state law in New York forces you to carry boat insurance, though a marina can still demand liability coverage before letting you dock.
- Does New York 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
- 428,445U.S. Coast Guard count
- Boater education
- All motorized operatorsBrianna's Law requires every operator of a motorized vessel, PWCs included, to pass a safe boating course that is state-approved.
Sources: parks.ny.gov, nysenate.gov; U.S. Coast Guard 2024 boating statistics; Progressive state averages.
Want a firm price for a boat kept in New York? 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
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Whether you are shopping for a boat or getting set for the season, the big questions are what the state asks of you and what a policy will run you. If your marina wants proof of liability coverage before you dock, call us and we will get you firm quotes.
What a policy covers on New York water
New York's waters are busy with boats. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the state had 428,445 registered recreational boats in 2024. During that same year, the state logged 110 boating accidents, eight deaths, 57 injuries, and $2,965,150 in property damage.
A marina may ask you for proof of liability coverage before giving you a slip, even though New York does not require boat insurance.
New York also sits in coastal storm territory. If your boat stays on the coast, your policy will often include a separate deductible for named storms like hurricanes. The deductible is what you pay out of pocket before your coverage kicks in. Our hurricane plan worksheet can help you get ready for one.
Not sure which coverage suits your boat? Give us a call and we will figure it out together.
Is boat insurance required in New York?
No state law says you have to insure your boat. GEICO and Progressive both confirm that New York does not mandate it. Progressive notes that a marina can still insist on liability coverage before offering you a slip.
The state does have other rules:
- Boating course: Under Brianna's Law, anyone driving a motorized boat, jet skis included, has to finish a state-approved boating safety course.
- Jet ski age: Jet ski operators must be at least 14 and either hold a boating safety certificate or be accompanied by an adult who holds one.
- Jet ski rentals: Shops cannot hand a jet ski to anyone younger than 16.
- Registration: If a motorized boat goes on New York waters, other than privately owned water, it has to be registered with the DMV.
- Title: The state issues titles for boats at least 14 feet long from model year 1987 on.
- Alcohol: The law bans operating a boat when your blood alcohol is 0.08% or higher. Boating while ability impaired can bring a $300–$500 fine or up to 15 days in jail.
Registration and title fees
The DMV collects these fees, and they are separate from your insurance costs. Each registration is good for three years.
| Boat length | Registration fee (three years) |
|---|---|
| Shorter than 16 feet | $22.50 |
| From 16 up to 26 feet | $45 |
Titling costs $50. If the boat you are buying is pricey, the state skips sales tax on any part of the price over $230,000 (see the tax memo).
New York boat insurance cost
Progressive places New York in its high-cost group of states. In that group, a typical Progressive boat policy ran about $663 a year in 2024 to 2025 (see their breakdown). The kind of boat you have and what it is worth change the price a lot. Here are our own ballpark figures for boats kept in New York; they are not quotes.
| Boat (value) | Estimated cost per year |
|---|---|
| Jet ski ($14,000) | $160–$700 |
| Pontoon ($25,000) | $480–$1,250 |
| Fishing or bass boat ($40,000) | $480–$1,280 |
| Sailboat ($45,000) | $800–$2,250 |
| Wake, ski, or bowrider boat ($50,000) | $500–$1,280 |
| Yacht or cruiser ($150,000) | $1,600–$3,210 |
In three steps on our home page, you can see a range for your own boat. Then call us and we will get you firm quotes.
Common questions
What does insurance cost for a $30,000 boat?
The type of boat matters most. In our estimates, a $25,000 pontoon runs about $480–$1,250 per year, while a $40,000 fishing boat runs about $480–$1,280. Our estimates cover a $25,000 pontoon and a $40,000 fishing boat, not a $30,000 boat, so call us for quotes based on yours.
Where can I find the lowest-priced boat insurance in New York?
No single company is cheapest for everyone, because the price depends on your boat, its value and where you keep it. Call us and we will compare quotes to find your lowest price.
How do you calculate the price range?
We start with the boat's type and value, then adjust because New York is a high-cost, coastal storm state. The full method is on our cost page.
Boat insurers to compare in New York
| 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 New York. All insurers side by side
New York boating rules an insurer will ask about
| Topic | The rule in New York | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Boater education | Brianna's Law requires every operator of a motorized vessel, PWCs included, to pass a safe boating course that is state-approved. | parks.ny.gov |
| Jet ski age | To operate a PWC you need to be at least 14 years old and carry a boating safety certificate, unless an adult who holds a boating safety certificate accompanies you. | codes.findlaw.com |
| Boat rentals | Liveries cannot let anyone under 16 rent a personal watercraft. | nysenate.gov |
| Registration | The DMV requires registration for any motorized boat used on New York waters, other than privately-owned waters. A 3-year registration runs $22.50 for a boat under 16 feet and $45 for one at least 16 feet but under 26 feet; the title fee is $50. | dmv.ny.gov |
| Title | New York issues titles for boats that are 14 feet or longer and have a model year of 1987 or newer. | transact2.dmv.ny.gov |
| Boating under the influence | The law prohibits operating a vessel when your BAC is .08% or higher; the limit is .04% for public vessels. Boating while ability impaired can mean a $300 to $500 fine or as much as 15 days in jail. | nysenate.gov |
| Also in this state | New York caps vessel sales tax; any part of the price over $230,000 is exempt. | tax.ny.gov |
| Accidents reported, 2024 | 110 boating accidents, 8 deaths and 57 people injured, with $2,965,150 of reported damage. | uscgboating.org |
How New York compares with every other state: the boat insurance law table.
Quotes for a boat kept in New York
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