USAA boat insurance
The USAA Insurance Agency sells USAA boat insurance, while Progressive or Markel American Insurance Company actually issues the policy.
- Market guide, by state group
- $307 to $663Progressive's 2024 to 2025 averages for low-cost and high-cost states, not a USAA price
- Policy issued by
- Progressive or MarkelHow to buy: USAA Insurance Agency, members only
- Member discount
- 5% offmost boats and personal watercraft under $350,000; open to USAA members only
- Payout after a loss
- Agreed value available
- On-water towing
- On-water towing, optional
From USAA's own boat insurance pages (usaa.com).
Your boat's yearly range across insurers, in three taps
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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.
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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.
USAA says the average boater pays a few hundred dollars a year, and the bill can climb well beyond that. You must hold USAA membership to buy.
Which company covers your boat?
USAA never issues boat policies on its own. Instead, it partners with two insurers. Its Progressive partnership stretches back more than 30 years, and it has teamed up with Markel since 2007.
The size, value, and purpose of your boat determine the company that covers it. Progressive quotes boats valued under $350,000, while Markel handles yachts and specialty boats. USAA puts your boat in the yacht or specialty group when any one of these is true:
- Length goes past 26 feet
- Value rises above $350,000
- It serves as someone's home
- A business or LLC holds the title
| Your boat | Company that quotes it |
|---|---|
| Worth less than $350,000, no more than 26 feet, not a residence, titled to an individual | Progressive |
| Longer than 26 feet, worth above $350,000, used as a home, or titled to a business or LLC | Markel |
Markel's standard boat program accepts boats up to 26 feet in length. Anything longer, houseboats included, is handled via its yacht program.
Boats USAA will quote
USAA can quote these kinds of watercraft:
- Fishing boats
- Motorboats
- Personal watercraft
- Pontoons
- Sailboats
- Yachts and specialty boats
Think of a personal watercraft as a small machine you straddle on top of instead of sitting inside, like a jet ski.
What does USAA boat insurance cost?
According to USAA, the typical owner spends a few hundred dollars a year, and plenty pay well above that. USAA publishes no fixed price, since what you pay hinges on your boat and its value. The discounts you qualify for also vary by state.
What boats like yours cost to insure, across insurers
| Boat worth about | Pontoon, bass or ski boat | Sailboat | Jet ski |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 to $25,000 | $300 to $800 | $500 to $880 | $180 to $500 |
| $25,000 to $50,000 | $380 to $800 | $500 to $1,500 | Few are worth this much |
| $50,000 to $100,000 | $750 to $1,130 | $750 to $1,500 | Few are worth this much |
A market guide for a middle-cost state, not a USAA price. Every boat, value and state
The same boat in low, middle and high-cost states
| Progressive cost tier | Tier average a year | A $25,000 pontoon a year | States such as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low-cost, 17 states | $307 | $250 to $590 | Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin |
| Middle-cost, 17 states | $413 | $300 to $800 | Georgia, Ohio, Tennessee |
| High-cost, 16 states | $663 | $480 to $1,250 | Florida, Texas, California |
Tier averages from Progressive. Your state's tier and rules
Discounts that can lower the price
Members save 5% off on most boats and personal watercraft worth less than $350,000. Progressive also advertises a USAA member discount available for boats in most states.
Your state may also let you save for:
- Completing a state-approved boating safety course
- Operating your boat responsibly
- Going without a claim
What comes with a standard policy?
A standard policy covers the following:
- Fuel spills
- Water sports
- Wreckage removal
- Liability for bodily injury and property damage, which covers you when you hurt someone or damage what they own
Extra cover you can add
Based on how you use your boat, you can bolt on more protection:
- Towing on the water, with jump starts and fuel delivery included
- Cover for mechanical breakdowns
- Full replacement of fishing gear
- Protection for personal belongings on board, such as skis, clothing, and cell phones
How does agreed value work for a total loss?
Choosing the agreed upon value option means your policy states a value for your boat. Should the boat become a total loss from a covered event, the insurer pays that listed value. You will know the payout amount well in advance.
Do you need a marine survey?
A marine survey means a professional inspection of the boat's condition, carried out by a trained surveyor. USAA confirms you do not need one when buying a boat or personal watercraft policy. Certain yacht policies might require one. Markel notes that liability-only yacht cover does not require a survey.
Becoming a USAA member first
Membership in USAA comes before buying any of its products. USAA checks whether you are eligible ahead of your joining. Service members, veterans, and qualifying relatives can sign up.
Frequently asked questions
Can people who never served get USAA?
Some can, yes. USAA explains that husbands, wives, and kids of established members are likely eligible too, even without any service of their own.
Does USAA offer the cheapest boat insurance?
No one insurer comes out cheapest for all boaters. It depends on your boat and where you live, so the best way to find out is to get a quote and compare it with others. Members do get 5% off most boats under $350,000, and some states offer extra savings, for example for taking a boating safety course.
How do USAA boat insurance claims work?
Your claim goes to whichever company issued the policy, either Progressive or Markel. Check your policy papers to see which one. Progressive lets you file online, in its app, or by phone; a trained boat-claims rep then manages each one.
How financially strong are the companies behind USAA boat insurance?
Each one carries strong ratings. The Progressive companies issuing USAA boat policies under $350,000 carry an A+ (Superior) rating from AM Best, with that grade confirmed on April 3, 2025. Markel American earns an A from A.M. Best, an A+ from S&P, and an A2 from Moody's.
Compare USAA with
| Insurer | Policy issued by | How to buy | Payout after a loss | Towing on the water | Boats it names |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | Progressive or Markel | USAA Insurance Agency, members only | Agreed value available | On-water towing, optional | Members only; over 26 ft or $350,000 placed with Markel |
 Progressive | Progressive | Online or by phone | Partial losses paid at full replacement cost with comprehensive and collision | Sign & Glide on-water towing, optional | Up to 50 ft and $500,000; excludes houseboats, steel or wood hulls |
 Markel | Markel American | Online, by phone or an agent | Agreed value; actual cash value available on yachts | Emergency towing offered | Boats to 26 ft; yacht policy for over 26 ft, houseboats |
 GEICO | GEICO Marine Insurance Company | Through BoatUS | Choice of agreed hull value or actual cash value | Add-on through BoatUS, 24/7 | Boats up to 50 ft and $2,500,000 |
Ready for real numbers?
Tell us the boat, what it is worth and where you keep it.
This line reaches Boat Insurance Compare, not USAA.