Boat insurance in South Carolina
Right now, state law does not make South Carolina boat owners carry insurance.
- Does South Carolina 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
- 353,906U.S. Coast Guard count
- Boater education
- Born after July 1, 2007; 10 hp+Anyone with a birthday later than July 1, 2007 has to pass a boater education course that is approved before operating a boat, a PWC, or a specialty propcraft rated 10 hp or more.
Sources: scstatehouse.gov, dnr.sc.gov; U.S. Coast Guard 2024 boating statistics; Progressive state averages.
Want a firm price for a boat kept in South Carolina? 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.
For a boat kept in the state, a standard policy usually costs somewhere between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars per year, based on the boat itself. Call us with your boat's type, value, and where you keep it, and we'll compare prices for you.
Why do many South Carolina boaters choose coverage?
Owning a boat in South Carolina puts you in busy company. Per the U.S. Coast Guard, the state counted 353,906 registered recreational boats in 2024.
During that year, the state logged 154 boating accidents, 10 deaths, 82 injuries, and $7,917,420 in property damage. Those numbers are a good reason to protect yourself, even though the law doesn't ask you to. Call us to weigh the coverage choices for a boat kept in South Carolina.
Is boat insurance required in South Carolina?
No. At this time, South Carolina has no current requirement for boat owners to carry insurance.
That may not last. Under Senate Bill 26, owners would need liability coverage of at least $50,000 combined per accident. Liability is the part of a policy that covers damage you do to others or their belongings, like a dock or someone else's boat. Since the bill has not become law, you are not obligated to carry anything yet.
What does boat insurance cost in South Carolina?
Progressive places South Carolina in its high-cost group of states for this kind of coverage. The figures in the table are yearly estimates for boats kept in the state. Think of these as ballpark figures, not quotes.
| Boat type and value | Estimated yearly cost |
|---|---|
| Jet ski valued at $14,000 | $160–$700 |
| Pontoon valued at $25,000 | $480–$1,250 |
| Bass or fishing boat valued at $40,000 | $480–$1,280 |
| Sailboat valued at $45,000 | $800–$2,250 |
| Bowrider, ski, or wake boat valued at $50,000 | $500–$1,280 |
| Cruiser or yacht valued at $150,000 | $1,600–$3,210 |
To get a range for your own boat, try the three-step price range on our home page, or call us with your boat's type, value and where you keep it, and we'll compare real quotes for you. Curious how we estimate these ranges? Here's how we work them out.
Hurricane season and your deductible
Coastal storms are part of life in South Carolina. Coastal policies in South Carolina often have a separate deductible for damage from a named storm. Your deductible is the amount you cover out of pocket on a claim before the insurance company picks up the balance. With a named-storm deductible, that only kicks in for damage tied to a hurricane or another named storm.
Call us before storm season to review how a named-storm deductible could affect your coverage, or use our hurricane plan worksheet.
Boating rules in South Carolina that insurers ask about
Boating laws, titles, and registration all fall under the SC Department of Natural Resources. When you apply for a policy, these rules tend to come up the most:
- Registration and title: Any boat powered by a motor of any type must be registered and titled under the owner's name.
- Boater education: If you were born after July 1, 2007, you need to complete an approved boater education course before operating a boat or jet ski with 10 hp or more. Renters may use a valid rental safety certificate instead.
- Boating while impaired: At a blood alcohol reading of 0.08% or higher, the law permits an inference of impairment. A first offense can mean a $200 fine, or jail time of 48 hours to 30 days.
- Near the beach: Within 100 yards of the Atlantic coastline, boats have to run at idle speed.
Common questions
What should I budget for boat insurance?
In 2024 to 2025, Progressive's average annual boat policy across its high-cost group, South Carolina included, came to roughly $663. What you pay will shift up or down with the value and type of boat you own.
Do small boats need a title?
If the boat has a motor, it must be registered, and motorized boats and outboards of 5 hp or more must be titled. Call us if you're unsure where yours falls.
Do I owe tax on a used boat bought from a private seller?
Yes. Buying from a private party triggers a 5% casual excise tax, the state's tax on person-to-person sales. The most it can reach is $500.
How do I find the cheapest boat insurance in South Carolina?
Comparing prices for the same boat can help you spot a better deal. Call us, and we'll shop your options with you.
Boat insurers to compare in South Carolina
| 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 South Carolina. All insurers side by side
South Carolina boating rules an insurer will ask about
| Topic | The rule in South Carolina | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Boater education | Anyone with a birthday later than July 1, 2007 has to pass a boater education course that is approved before operating a boat, a PWC, or a specialty propcraft rated 10 hp or more. If your birthday falls after July 1, 2007, a valid rental safety certificate lets you rent a PWC or boat. | dnr.sc.gov |
| Registration | Any watercraft with mechanical propulsion needs both registration and titling in the owner's name. SCDNR charges a $10 fee to renew a boat registration each year. | eregulations.com, dnr.sc.gov |
| Title | South Carolina requires titling for motorized boats and every outboard motor rated five horsepower or more. | dnr.sc.gov |
| Boating under the influence | A BAC reading at 0.08% or higher permits an inference that the operator was under the influence. A first BUI offense carries a $200 fine or imprisonment from 48 hours through 30 days. | scstatehouse.gov |
| Who runs boating | The SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) enforces boating laws and handles titling and registration. | scstatehouse.gov |
| Also in this state | Private (casual) boat purchases carry 5% casual excise tax, and the tax tops out at $500. Vessels must stay at idle speed or slower out to 100 yards from the Atlantic coastline. | dnr.sc.gov, eregulations.com |
| Accidents reported, 2024 | 154 boating accidents, 10 deaths and 82 people injured, with $7,917,420 of reported damage. | uscgboating.org |
How South Carolina compares with every other state: the boat insurance law table, and the hurricane plan worksheet for storm season.
Quotes for a boat kept in South Carolina
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