Beach people dream about swimming in the ocean waves all summer long. Fishermen love the thrill of sitting in a boat and anticipating a fish snapping at the lure. But for jet ski owners, there’s nothing like the fresh air and ocean spray on a hot summer day.  

A PWC/jet ski is an affordable way to get out on the water. The fuel and annual maintenance costs are relatively low, and you can store it in your garage . But before doing any of that it is important to consider personal watercraft insurance coverage to protect your PWC/jet ski in the event of an accident, damage, or theft.

Here’s a breakdown of PWC/jet ski insurance with SkiSafe. 

What is PWC/jet ski insurance?

As with any other kind of insurance policy, jet ski or PWC insurance can protect you from financial loss due to damage, theft, or liability for injury and damage to others in the event of an accident.  

Depending on the details of your insurance policy, jet ski insurance may cover physical damage to the watercraft, medical payments for third parties who are injured, towing and roadside assistance, damage or injury caused by an uninsured boater, and more. 

We will work closely with you to create a coverage plan that meets your exact needs as a jet ski owner.

Is PWC/jet ski insurance required?

While jet ski insurance is not required in every state, it is still a wise purchase that can help with unexpected repair bills, unaffordable liabilities, and other potential expenses that would otherwise be paid out-of-pocket.

If you keep your jet ski at a marina or financed the purchase through a lender, you may be required to carry a PWC/ jet ski insurance policy. Additionally, some states require a minimum amount of liability insurance if you own and operate a jet ski.  

» MORE: Liability-Only Boat Insurance Coverage

Even if you aren’t required to carry insurance for your jet ski, it’s something you won’t regret purchasing in the long term. Without coverage, you would have to pay for all of the expenses arising from injuries and damages out-of-pocket. This includes any injuries and damages you cause to another boater, or their property, which could lead to significant financial losses. 

What does PWC/jet ski insurance cost?

Your premium will vary based on several factors - including your driving history, boating experience, previous claims and the amount of coverage you’re looking to obtain, among other factors. 

At SkiSafe, we have some of the most competitively-priced PWC insurance plans. For instance, your PWC/jet ski policy could cost as low as $85 a year.

We pride ourselves on offering boaters some of the best boat insurance prices in the industry. 

What does PWC/jet ski insurance cover?

Depending on your policy, PWC/jet ski insurance can cover: 

• Property damage to your PWC
• Property damage to another boater that you cause
• Medical expenses for injuries to third party guests 
• Injuries you caused in an accident to a third party
• Towing and roadside assistance 

It’s important to know what exactly what you’re buying and thus what your policy covers. For example, if you have an insurance plan that covers “all risks”, this will protect your PWC, trailer, and other insured property from all accidental physical damage unless specifically excluded in the policy. This includes fire, theft, and collision, and more. 

With a PWC/ jet ski insurance policy, you may want to consider personal property coverage, medical payments coverage, and personal liability coverage as well. 

• Personal property coverage refers to unattached items that come and go from the PWC. You can obtain coverage for equipment, portable electronics, and other valuable items related to the PWC.
• Medical payments coverage financially protects you if a guest is injured while on, boarding, or leaving your watercraft. This could cover medical, ambulance, hospital costs, and more. 
• Liability coverage will protect you against liability for bodily injury or property damage to a third party arising out of the ownership or operation of your PWC. 

PWC/jet ski insurance discounts

No one wants to pay more for insurance than they have to. Make sure you are getting the best possible deal on your policy and take advantage of all available PWC/ jet ski insurance discounts. When purchasing a policy with SkiSafe, we will tell you about all the available discounts and how to qualify for them. 

Common discounts that can help you find the best value on a PWC/jet ski insurance policy include:

• Multi-policy discount
• Boating safety course discount
• Clean driving record discount 
• Claim-free discount
• Navigable waters discount