Hawaii Boat Insurance
Get a full analysis of Hawaii boat insurance costs, coverage, and companies.
Written by
Ann Herro has been writing about insurance and employee benefits for over 15 years. She has covered topics as easy as insuring a car, and as difficult as transparency in healthcare costs.
Find the Best Boat Insurance Options in Hawaii
Although boating can be a fun and relaxing pastime for Hawaiians, it does involve a few hazards that can be quite expensive. In order to protect your assets while you enjoy time on your boat, it’s important to be an educated boat operator, follow proper safety guidelines, and secure a suitable Hawaii boat insurance policy.
A local independent insurance agent can help you learn more about Hawaii boat insurance and find you a policy that meets your needs and budget.
Best Boat Insurance Companies in Hawaii
How can you make the best choice for boat insurance in Hawaii?
We selected the following carrier as one of the best boat insurance companies in Hawaii. It is highly rated for its mix of valuable coverage offerings and competitive pricing.
- Progressive: Progressive is based in Ohio and offers personal insurance, including boat insurance. Hawaii residents can look to Progressive for most of their personal insurance needs.
An independent insurance agent in your area can help you learn more about these and other Hawaii boat insurance companies. A local agent can help you get competitive quotes for the coverage that fits your needs.
Hawaii Boat Insurance Requirements
Hawaii is one of only a few states that require boat insurance for some boats. As of March 1, 2020, the state of Hawaii requires boats 26 feet in length and greater to have at least $100,000 in insurance to cover the removal and salvage of a grounded vessel.
In addition, there are a few cases where you might be required to purchase boat insurance from some other entity:
- If you finance your boat purchase, your lender is likely to require you to carry insurance for the duration of your loan. However, insurance coverage is optional once you own the boat outright.
- If you are using your boat as collateral for a loan, the bank may require you to insure it.
- You may be required to carry insurance if you dock your boat or yacht in certain harbors or marinas.
Many boat owners believe that their homeowners insurance offers liability coverage for losses caused by the negligent operation of their boat. While there may be some coverage in limited situations, it’s not likely to be enough to really help you if you’re at fault for a serious accident.
Homeowners insurance does provide some physical damage coverage for certain small boats (e.g., rafts, canoes, or kayaks) while they’re on your property (not in the water). And this coverage usually has a small limit (like $1,000). You’ll need to purchase boat insurance in Hawaii if you want physical damage coverage for a larger motorized boat.
Your independent insurance agent can help you learn more about the requirements for boat insurance in Hawaii and can help you find a policy that fits your needs.
What Boat Insurance Covers in Hawaii
Hawaii boat insurance works much like car insurance. It covers bodily injury and property damage that you cause while you are operating your boat. It can also cover physical damage to your boat and your property inside the boat, depending on the coverage you select. You can tailor your coverage depending on the type of boat you have, how and where you use it, and the types of items you keep onboard.
A basic Hawaii boat insurance policy provides you with liability coverage:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: Covers the medical costs associated with injuries sustained by other boaters or by guests and visitors while aboard if you’re at fault for an accident.
- Property damage liability coverage: Covers damage to other people’s property, such as docks, marinas, and other boats, if you’re at fault for an accident.
You can also obtain coverage for physical damage to your own watercraft:
- Collision coverage: Covers repairs to or replacement of your own boat, motor, trolling motor, or any permanent boating equipment due to damage caused by a collision with another boat or an object while on the water.
- Comprehensive coverage: Covers repairs to or replacement of your own boat, motor, trolling motor, or permanent boating equipment due to damage or loss caused by anything other than a collision, such as theft, vandalism, fire, or a storm.
Some additional coverage options include the following:
- Personal property coverage for equipment such as tools, life preservers, anchors, and oars
- Coverage for fishing equipment like rods, lures, nets, and tackle
- On-water towing and labor coverage for a disabled vessel
- Medical payments coverage for hospital and funeral expenses for you or your passengers
- Uninsured/underinsured boaters coverage for an accident with another boater with insufficient or no boat insurance
Your local independent insurance agent in Hawaii can help you determine which coverage types may be beneficial for your unique needs.
Average Cost of Boat Insurance in Hawaii
Many factors determine the cost of boat insurance in Hawaii, including:
- Make, model, and year of the boat: Insuring larger, older, or more expensive boats often leads to higher premiums.
- Boating experience: More experienced boaters may pay less for boat insurance than newer boaters.
- Claims history: This may include both at-fault and not-at-fault claims.
- Horsepower: Boats with stronger engines may cost more to insure.
The amount of coverage and deductibles you choose, where you typically use your boat, and even things like your credit score will also impact your cost for Hawaii boat insurance.
You may be eligible for certain discounts on your Hawaii boat insurance policy. Some insurers offer a layup discount, as well as a discount for successfully completing a boating safety course. What’s more, you will likely be eligible for a discount if you bundle your Hawaii boat insurance policy with your home and auto insurance.
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How to Find the Best Boat Insurance Quote in Hawaii
An independent insurance agent can help you find the best Hawaii boat insurance for your needs. A local agent can get quotes from multiple insurance companies to make sure you get the best coverage at the right price. Working with a local agent is the best way to get knowledgeable, superior service from someone who understands the needs of boat owners in your community.
Find an independent insurance agent in your area now.
Hawaii Boat Insurance FAQs
Most boat owners in Hawaii need boat insurance. In the event of a boating accident, the amount of money you may owe to a third party as well as for repairs to your own property is likely to negate any savings you have had by not purchasing boat insurance coverage. If you are responsible for an accident that results in a fatality while uninsured, you may suffer unrecoverable financial losses.
While it is true that your homeowners insurance may provide coverage in some cases, this coverage is typically very limited. Only a boat insurance policy can provide the best coverage for incidents involving your boat.
Hawaii is one of only a few states that require boat insurance for some boats. As of March 1, 2020, the state of Hawaii requires boats 26 feet in length and greater to have at least $100,000 in insurance to cover the removal and salvage of a grounded vessel.
In addition, there are a few cases where you might be required to purchase boat insurance from some other entity:
- If you finance your boat purchase, your lender is likely to require you to carry insurance for the duration of your loan. However, insurance coverage is optional once you own the boat outright.
- If you are using your boat as collateral for a loan, the bank may require you to insure it.
- You may be required to carry insurance if you dock your boat or yacht in certain harbors or marinas.
Boat insurance always includes liability coverage, which protects you when you cause injuries or property damage to another party. You can also add on the following types of optional coverage:
- Collision coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
- Personal property coverage
- Fishing equipment coverage
- On-water towing and labor coverage
- Medical payments coverage
- Uninsured/underinsured boaters coverage
Boat insurance is recommended for most watercraft with motors, including fishing boats, pontoon boats, speed boats, leisure crafts, and yachts. Boat insurance generally does not cover canoes, kayaks, or personal watercraft.
Every type of boat has the potential to be stolen, damaged, or involved in an incident that results in harm to another person or another person’s property. Even if your boat is docked or stored in your garage, it can be vandalized, damaged in a fire or storm, or stolen. Boat insurance can help you in all of these situations.
The cost of a Hawaii boat insurance policy is likely to vary significantly from one person to the next. When you request a boat insurance quote, your rates will reflect a number of factors including, but not limited to:
- The type of boat you own
- How frequently you use it
- The amount of coverage you are requesting
- The size of your chosen deductible
- Your personal driving record
- Your claims history and credit score
You may be able to lower your costs by qualifying for discounts on your policy. Many insurance companies will offer discounts for completing a boating safety course, having multiple policies with the same insurer, and opting for electronic monthly payments on your premiums. Be sure to ask about possible discounts when requesting boat insurance quotes.
Progressive is one of the best boat insurance companies in Hawaii. It is highly rated for offering broad coverage, top-notch customer service, and a variety of affordable options for boat owners.
A local independent insurance agent can help you find a competitively priced Hawaii boat insurance policy that meets your needs. Independent agents aren’t tied down to one carrier. They can get quotes from multiple insurance companies so you can choose the policy that best fits your needs and budget.
An independent agent can also help you find other types of personal insurance, such as auto, home, or renters insurance.
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/insurance-requirement/