Boaters operating any kind of watercraft are highly encouraged to obtain insurance. You may have a ton of questions about boat insurance, how to get a quote, and how much it’ll cost.

Here’s everything you need to know about finding a cheap boat insurance quote online.

What Is a Boat Insurance Quote?

A boat insurance quote provides you with an estimate of how much you’ll pay for coverage. Basic information and other factors, including your experience, age, driving record, the boat you operate, navigable waters, etc., will all play a role when determining the rate of your boat insurance quote.

The insurer will weigh these factors alongside the unique risks associated with providing coverage. This formula-like calculation will result in a quote, outlining your cost of insurance.

How to Get a Boat Insurance Quote

There are quite a few ways to get a free boat insurance quote with SkiSafe. You can do it directly online, over the phone, or through an independent insurance agent or broker.

1. Buy boat insurance online

Getting a quote online is one of the easiest ways to go about it. SkiSafe offers free online boat insurance quotes, which will allow you to complete the process entirely through our website.

Plus, if you decide to purchase the policy, you may receive an additional discount for doing so online.

And if you ever have any questions or concerns about the quote or policy, one of our underwriters would be happy to help you over the phone, through email, or on our live chat.

2. Get a boat insurance quote over the phone

You can also get a free quote over the phone with one of our boat insurance experts. They will walk you through our coverage options, pricing, discounts, and answer any questions you may have.

3. Going through an independent boat insurance agent or broker

You could also get a boat insurance quote through one of our independent agents, who work alongside the SkiSafe team. If you’ve previously worked with this agent, they may be able to give personalized advice on what type of coverage you need.

What Affects Boat Insurance Quote?

There are several components that affect a boat insurance quote. Most of them are specific to the boater, depending on their personal experience and watercraft, as well as the coverage requested.

Based on the information provided, the insurer will evaluate how likely it is for a claim to be filed throughout the life of the policy. Then comes the quote of how much it’ll cost to insure your boat.

Here are the common factors that affect a boat insurance quote:

1. Individual Factors 

Your quote will be partially determined on items that are personal to you. Factors like your experience, seasonal usage, loss history, motor vehicle record, and more  can affect the insurance rate.

For example, a boater with multiple prior claims will be viewed as more likely to have another loss in the future and likely see a higher rate. If the opposite is true and you’ve had no prior claims, your rate could go down.

2. Coverage

The coverage you choose will also affect the rate. Essentially, the more coverage needed to fully protect the watercraft, the more it will going to cost.

For example, an avid fisherman may want to increase his or her coverage for personal property aboard the boat.  This will likely increase the quoted premium.  It’s important to customize your coverage to address the risks that concern you.

» RELATED: Boat Insurance Coverage – Explained

3. The Details of Your Boat 

A quote will also vary based upon the make and model of your watercraft . Luxury vessels, for example, will cost more to insure due to their higher costs while less expensive vessels will, in turn, cost less to insure.

The insurer may also want to see certain safety features or equipment on your boat.

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4. Location

Finally, location and navigable waters will play a role here. Whether your boat is used in salt water or fresh water, or in certain protected navigable waters may also impact the rate.

What Basic Information Do You Need to Provide?

Every insurer will ask the boater for certain relevant information. This will give better insight as to what the appropriate premium is to charge.

Here are some things you’ll need to provide:

• Your name, address, occupation, and date of birth
• Contact information
• Current insurance information, if applicable
• The type of ownership (individual, partnership, corporation)
• The number of operators
• Watercraft specification
• How much coverage do you want? 

Boat Insurance Quote Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a free boat insurance quote?

SkiSafe offers free boat insurance quotes online, over the phone, or through an agent.

Does a boat insurance quote affect my credit?

Shopping for boat insurance should not affect your credit. In fact, SkiSafe will never run a credit check when giving a quote, or even when binding a policy.

Can I get a boat insurance quote before buying the boat?

You can get a quote before buying a boat if you have an idea as to what you’re going to get. Insurance is an important aspect to consider when budgeting for a new boat. Receiving a quote ahead of time can help you plan for the payments.