Skip to content
Absolute Insurance Solutions

Personal insurance

Boat Insurance in Washington State

Washington does not require insurance to operate a recreational boat, but marinas, lenders and yacht clubs almost always require proof of liability coverage, and most owners on Lake Washington and Puget Sound carry it. A boat policy covers the hull, motor and equipment, liability, medical payments, uninsured boaters, on-water towing and the trailer, with agreed-value or actual-cash-value options.

Updated for 2026 · Kirkland, WA · Independent agency

Watercraft & Boat Insurance in Kirkland, WA, Absolute Insurance Solutions

Is boat insurance required in Washington State?

No state law requires a recreational boat owner to carry insurance. In practice most owners need it anyway: marinas and moorage operators on Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish and Puget Sound commonly require liability coverage and a certificate before they assign a slip, and a lender financing the boat requires physical damage coverage for the life of the loan. What the state does require is training: anyone operating a motorboat of 15 horsepower or more needs a Washington boater education card or must be supervised by someone who has one (RCW 79A.60.640). Some carriers also give a discount for a boating safety course, so keep the certificate.

What a boat policy covers

Physical damage pays to repair or replace the hull, motor, electronics and permanently attached equipment after a collision, sinking, fire, theft or storm. Liability pays when your boat injures someone or damages another boat, a dock or a swimmer's property, including legal defense. Medical payments covers injuries to people aboard, uninsured boater coverage protects you when the other operator has no insurance, and on-water towing and assistance pays for a tow back to the launch. The trailer, fishing gear and personal effects can be added. Read the navigation limits: a policy written for inland lakes may not cover a run through the Ballard Locks into Puget Sound or a trip up to the San Juan Islands.

Agreed value or actual cash value

An agreed-value policy pays the amount you and the insurer set at the start if the boat is a total loss, minus the deductible. An actual-cash-value policy pays what the boat is worth at the time of the loss, after depreciation, which for an older boat can be much less than what it would cost to replace it. Agreed value usually costs more and may require a recent survey on larger or older boats. We quote both so you can see the difference in premium against the difference in protection.

Personal watercraft, sailboats and larger cruisers

Jet skis and other personal watercraft are insured on their own policies, and carriers ask about operators' ages and experience because younger riders cause many claims. Sailboats, fishing boats, pontoons and wake boats are each rated differently, and larger cruisers that stay in the water year-round are usually written on yacht forms with a survey and higher liability limits. If you rent the boat out or use it for paid charters, a personal policy will not cover that; tell us and we quote commercial coverage instead.

Winter storage and the off-season

Many Washington boats come out of the water from fall to spring. Some policies offer a lay-up period with a lower premium while the boat is on the trailer or in storage, but the boat is not covered for use during that window, so check the dates before an early-spring trip. Boats that stay in a slip all year face windstorm and freezing risks, and the policy should reflect where the boat actually spends the winter.

Bundle with auto and home, and get a quote

Several of our carriers discount the boat when your auto or homeowners policy is with the same company, and an umbrella policy can extend liability over the boat as well. Send us the year, make, model and length, the engine and horsepower, the estimated value, where the boat is kept and where you use it, and who operates it. Call (425) 610-6909 or use the quote form; we serve boat owners across Washington from our Kirkland office.

Google reviews

Kirkland clients on their boat & watercraft coverage.

4.9 110 Google reviews
  • My current insurance expires this month and the new quote came in $100 a month higher to renew. I felt I had little choice but to accept as I did not think anyone would be able to quote me better, I was wrong! …
    Eva S.
  • I'm really happy with Absolute Insurance! Boris and his team took the time to explain our old coverages and found the best options for my car and rental insurance. I'll be recommending them to friends and family because they cover everything – car, home, rental, business, life, and health insurance.
    Vasily M.
  • My agent Boris was extremely helpful with helping me understand my policies . Doubled my coverage and adding our 3rd vehicle for what we paid for 2 vehicles with half the coverage . Boris also saved me money in both my Harley Davidsons insurance ! Would highly recommend them to all my friends and family!
    Kris G.

FAQ

Watercraft & Boat Insurance questions, answered.

What Kirkland and Eastside clients ask us most often about watercraft & boat insurance.

Is boat insurance required in Washington State?
No state law requires it for recreational boats, but most marinas require liability coverage before renting a slip, and lenders require physical damage coverage on a financed boat.
Do I need a boater education card in Washington?
Yes, to operate a motorboat of 15 horsepower or more, unless you are supervised by someone who holds one or qualify for an exemption (RCW 79A.60.640).
Does homeowners insurance cover my boat?
A homeowners policy gives very limited coverage for small boats and usually excludes liability for motorboats above a small horsepower. A separate boat policy covers the hull, motor, liability on the water and towing.
How much does boat insurance cost in Washington?
It depends on the type, age and value of the boat, the engine, where it is kept and used, and the operators' experience. We quote several carriers for the same coverage so you can compare.

From the blog

Reading on watercraft & boat insurance.

All articles →

Get a boat & watercraft quote from a Kirkland agent.

Call us or fill in the quote form. A local agent will come back with prices from several carriers.

(425) 610-6909Get a Free Quote