How Much Is Bass Boat Insurance?

A bass boat can be a lot of fun, whether you want to use it primarily for fishing or also want to use it as an everyday cruiser or to tow water skiers or wakeboarders. Insurance is an important cost that must be factored in as you are considering the cost of bass boat ownership.

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How much is bass boat insurance?

Bass boat insurance usually costs from around $250 to as much as $950 per year, depending on aspects like how much your boat is worth, its horsepower, how old it is, your boating record, and other factors.

Here’s what you need to know about how much you may expect to pay for insurance for your bass boat depending on various aspects of your boat and facts about you, as well as some tips about whether you really need bass boat insurance or not.

Average Bass Boat Insurance Coverage

When it comes to insuring your bass boat, the cost can vary depending on several factors, such as the value of your boat, your location, your driving record, and the insurance carrier you choose.

Here, we will discuss the average cost of bass boat insurance and provide a few examples of insurance carriers.

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On average, the cost of bass boat insurance ranges from $250 to $950 per year. The price can be higher or lower depending on the factors mentioned earlier. For instance, if you live in an area prone to natural disasters, such as hurricanes or floods, your insurance premium may be higher.

Similarly, if you have a poor driving record, you may have to pay more for insurance.

To give you an idea of how much you could pay for bass boat insurance, we have compiled a comparison table of some popular insurance carriers. Please note that the prices listed below are for illustrative purposes only and may not reflect the actual cost of insurance in your area.

Insurance CarrierAnnual Premium
Progressive$350
Geico$400
Nationwide$450
Allstate$500
State Farm$550

As you can see from the table, the cost of bass boat insurance can vary significantly among insurance carriers. Therefore, it is important to shop around and compare quotes from different companies to find the best coverage at the most affordable price.

In conclusion, the average cost of bass boat insurance is around $250 to $950 per year, but it can vary based on several factors. When looking for insurance, it is essential to consider your location, driving record, and the insurance carrier’s reputation and pricing. By doing so, you can find the right coverage for your needs at a reasonable cost.

Boat ValueHorsepowerAnnual Premium
$70,000250$950
$50,000250$795
$30,000150$270
$20,000125$250

What Affects the Cost of Bass Boat Insurance?

It’s important to note that different insurance carriers may weigh these factors differently, so it’s important to shop around and compare rates from multiple carriers. Here is a comparison table of rates from several insurance carriers for a $30,000 bass boat:

Insurance CarrierAnnual Premium
State Farm$500
Allstate$600
Progressive$700
Geico$800

Horsepower

Do you want one of the super-fast bass boats that can exceed 60 miles an hour? Get ready to pay more to insure it. Boats with powerful motors that can go very quickly may be more likely to end up in serious accidents, which means they cost more to insure.

Value

Not surprisingly, the more valuable your bass boat, the higher the cost of your insurance will be. The more that insurance needs to cover in case something happens to your boat, the more they want to charge you each month to make up for it. Since bass boats can cost well over $50,000, you can expect correspondingly high rates of insurance.

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Boat Age

The older your boat, the less valuable it is, and the less it may cost to insure it. That said, some bass boats are known for great resale values and may maintain their value for longer than average. These boats may cost more to insure than boats that are not known to maintain their value for as long.

Your Record

Just as with driving, having a great record on the water can drive down your cost of insurance. After all, if you haven’t wrecked your boat, run aground, or had a serious problem so far, insurance companies may believe it is less likely that you will have a problem now. 

On the other hand, if you have very little experience with boating at all, insurance companies may not know how well you will pilot your boat, which may result in higher insurance costs. If you have a record for problems, you can expect to pay higher premiums for insurance.

Use

How you intend to use your bass boat can affect how much it costs to insure it. If you use it solely for personal fishing, you can expect lower insurance costs than if you enter competitions where you will be more motivated to move rapidly between fishing spots. If you use your bass boat to pull wakeboarders or water skiers, you can expect higher premiums as well, since this kind of activity may come with increased risks.

Gender And Age

It may not be fair, but insurance companies tend to charge higher premiums to young men than they do to women or older men. The assumption is that young men may prefer to go faster and take more risks. 

While the sexism and ageism of this assumption is clear, there’s probably not much you can do to change the insurance company’s mind and get your rates lower aside from proving that you are safe on the water over time.

Credit Score

What does credit score have to do with safety on the water? According to insurance companies, people with better credit have fewer accidents. Whether or not this is a good way to determine insurance rates is certainly up for debate, but nevertheless, you will likely find that you get better insurance rates if your credit score is good.

How Much Is Bass Boat Insurance?

Do You Need Bass Boat Insurance?

If you want to drive a motor vehicle, you need to pay for insurance according to the law. However, this is not true of boats. Whether or not you get insurance for your bass boat is generally up to you. 

There are some occasions when you may need to get insurance see. For instance, if you will be chartering your boat or using it for financial gain. In some areas, boats with higher horsepower are required to get insurance.

You may also be required to get insurance if you are buying your bass boat with a loan from a bank. After all, the bank wants to be confident that their lone won’t sink with your boat if something should happen.

However, in the vast majority of instances, you get to choose whether to insure your bass boat or not. Therefore, you may find yourself wondering whether paying for insurance is really important for you, especially if you are being charged among the higher premiums.

There are a few good reasons for you to consider paying for insurance for your bass boat which are worth considering as you make up your mind: 

  • Bass boats can be expensive. If you have invested upwards of $50,000 into your bass boat, you may want to be assured that you won’t see that investment go up in smoke or sink down to the bottom of the lake. Of course, if you have invested significantly smaller amounts and would be able to replace your boat without insurance, you may decide not to bother with paying for it.
  • Weather may be a factor worth considering. If you are shopping for a bass boat on the coast where hurricanes are a significant threat, it may be more important for you to consider paying for bass boat insurance than otherwise. A serious storm can put your boat at risk whether it is at a dock or towed out on your property.
  • How you drive isn’t the only concern. Even if you consider yourself to be a very safe driver on the water, preferring a leisurely pace over breakneck speeds and always being careful to read the water and stay within channel markers, you can’t necessarily account for how other people drive. There is always the possibility that another boat will run into you or cause such a significant wake that it can tip you over. 
  • Your boat could be stolen. Unfortunately, it can be very easy for somebody to steal your boat, either by towing it away when it is trailered on your property, stealing it from your dock, or even taking a dinghy up to it and stealing it from where it may be resting on anchor while you enjoy some time on this shore. There are limits to what you can do to prevent someone from stealing your bass boat.

Liability Insurance Is A Good Idea

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Regardless of whether you decide to get insurance to cover your boat, you should certainly get liability insurance. Liability insurance protects you in case you are found liable for an accident.

This may happen even if you are not really at fault. Generally, liability insurance is quite reasonable, generally only around $100 a year. This is well worth the cost to avoid legal fees for being sued in the case of an accident. 

What Does Bass Boat Insurance Cover

In order to decide whether bass boat insurance is a good investment for you, it is essential for you to understand exactly what it covers.

Collisions

Any kind of accident, whether you run into another boat, run aground, or hit something like a buoy or dock, is covered by your insurance. Insurance will cover the damage whether you are at fault or not.

Property Damage

If you collide with somebody else’s property, whether it’s their boat, dock, or something else, insurance will cover it.

Bodily Injury

If anybody is injured as a result of your boating, whether you run into a boat or dock, hit somebody in the water, etc, their hospital expenses, lost wages, and any legal fees would be covered by insurance.

Comprehensive

Anything that doesn’t include collisions, property damage, or bodily injury but is still covered under insurance is considered covered under the comprehensive category.

This includes somebody stealing your boat or damaging it and damage that may occur as a result of something other than a collision, such as storm damage.

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What Doesn’t Insurance Cover?

In order to decide whether insurance is a good investment for your bass boat, you need to know exactly what won’t be covered by your insurance. Sometimes you may choose to get supplemental insurance to cover some of these areas, while at other times you will need to set aside savings for them.

  • Normal wear and tear to your motor. Your bass boat motor is one of the most expensive aspects of the boat, especially if you have a higher horsepower motor.
  • Equipment external to the boat. Bass boats typically carry lots of equipment like fishing tackle, an extra trolling motor, a fishfinder, an external bait well, etc.
  • Salvage, rescue, or clean up. If your boat is totaled and needs to be dragged off of somebody’s dock, a flat, etc, you’ll need to pay for it out-of-pocket.

Ways to Save on Bass Boat Insurance

While it’s important to have adequate insurance coverage for your bass boat, you don’t want to pay more than you need to. Here are a few ways to save on your bass boat insurance premiums:

  • Choose a higher deductible: Increasing your deductible can lower your monthly premiums, but keep in mind that you’ll be responsible for paying more out of pocket if you have to file a claim.
  • Take a boater safety course: Many insurance companies offer discounts for completing a boater safety course. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also learn valuable skills to keep you safe on the water.
  • Bundle your policies: If you have other insurance policies, such as auto or home insurance, consider bundling them with your bass boat insurance. Many insurance companies offer discounts for bundling multiple policies.
  • Shop around: Don’t settle for the first insurance company you come across. Compare quotes from multiple carriers to find the best coverage at the lowest price.

Here’s a comparison table of bass boat insurance rates from several different insurance carriers:

Insurance CarrierMonthly PremiumDeductible
State Farm$50$500
Allstate$45$1,000
Geico$40$1,500
Progressive$35$2,000

Remember, the cost of your bass boat insurance will depend on a variety of factors, including the value of your boat, your boating experience, and the coverage options you choose. By following these tips and shopping around for the best rates, you can save money on your bass boat insurance while still getting the coverage you need.

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Choosing the Right Insurance for Your Bass Boat

When it comes to insuring your bass boat, it is important to choose the right insurance policy that provides the coverage you need. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right insurance for your bass boat:

  • Coverage: Look for an insurance policy that provides comprehensive coverage for your bass boat. This includes coverage for damage to your boat, liability coverage, and coverage for any personal injuries sustained while on the boat.
  • Deductibles: Consider the deductible amount when choosing an insurance policy. A higher deductible may result in lower premiums, but you will have to pay more out of pocket in the event of a claim.
  • Cost: Compare the cost of insurance policies from different providers to find the best deal. Keep in mind that the cheapest policy may not always provide the best coverage.
  • Customer Service: Look for an insurance provider with good customer service. You want to be able to easily file a claim and get the support you need in the event of an accident.

Here is a comparison table of some of the top insurance providers for bass boats:

Insurance ProviderCoverageDeductibleCostCustomer Service
ProgressiveComprehensive$500$500 per year24/7 customer service
AllstateComprehensive$1,000$600 per year24/7 customer service
GEICOComprehensive$1,000$550 per year24/7 customer service

Remember to carefully consider your options when choosing an insurance policy for your bass boat. By doing your research and comparing providers, you can find the best coverage at an affordable price.

Set Your Mind At Ease

Insurance can do a lot to set your mind at ease while you enjoy your bass boat, but it may not be necessary or a good option for everybody. Consider your premiums and your risk factors to decide whether bass boat insurance is a good investment for you.