Miami marina at sunset. The most expensive boats to insure in a Florida marina.

It's important to cover your boat no matter where it is, whether it's being transported on land by vehicle, docked at a marina, or cruising out on the water. But the cost of insuring your vessel depends on the state you live in. It's helpful to understand the average costs of boat insurance in your area.

Fortunately a Florida independent insurance agent can help you get set up with the right boat insurance for your needs. They'll also help you shop and compare quotes for the most affordable coverage. But first, here's a closer look at boat insurance, and the most expensive boats to insure in Florida.

Are Boats in Florida More Expensive to Insure than in Other Areas of the Country?

According to insurance expert Jeffery Green, yes, coastal areas pay more for boat insurance because the boats are typically larger and often used on the ocean. In Florida, the boating season is year-round, rather than seasonal like in other, non-coastal states such as Wisconsin. 

A Florida independent insurance agent can help you find exact costs of boat insurance in your area. Your policy's cost will also depend on the type of boat you own, as well as its size, operations, and value.

How Do I Get My Expensive Boat Insured?

Green said that some insurance companies specialize in high-value marine insurance. This type of policy is designed for more expensive boats and their unique risks. A Florida independent agent can help you select the right coverage for your valuable vessel. 

Do I Need any Extra Coverage Like Umbrella Insurance or More Liability Insurance? 

It's always a good idea to increase your liability coverage's limits as a boat owner. Green said that boat owners can be held responsible for pollution clean-ups, wreck removals, and injuries to marine workers aboard their boats, so having enough liability insurance is very important. You might need more coverage beyond what's included in your boat policy.

Umbrella insurance is a simple way to increase your boat's liability coverage by a ton. Umbrella insurance typically can be purchased in increments of $1 million in liability protection. A Florida independent insurance agent can help you find the right amount of umbrella insurance for you.

How Much Extra Do I Pay for an Expensive Boat? 

It depends on the specific type of boat you have and its size, in addition to the value of your boat, when it comes to the cost of your boat insurance. 

A boat valued at $50,000 to $100,000 in Florida can cost an average of $1,377.95 annually to insure.

A similar sized boat valued at $500,000 to $1 million can cost as much as $13,779.45 per year.

To calculate the exact costs of your boat insurance by its size and value, use our fast boat insurance quote calculator. Otherwise, a Florida independent insurance agent can help you find boat insurance quotes and the cost of coverage in your area for your specific boat by its size, type, and value.

How Much More Do I Pay in Premiums for an Expensive Boat?

Here's a breakdown of some Florida-specific boats and their estimated annual boat insurance premiums.

                                
Boat TypeBoat LengthBoat ValueInsurance Premium
Bowrider 21' or less $15,000-$30,000 $565.88
Jet boat 15'-28' $21,000-$66,000 $1,212.59
Deck boat 19'-23' $20,000-$65,000 $1,377.95
Pontoon boat 18'-25' $15,000-$175,000 $3,215.21
Sailboat 30'-35' $20,000-$150,000 $3,729.64
Center console boat 20'-30' $10,000-$995,000 $6,889.73
Yacht 35'-165'+ $500,000-$10,000,000 $27,363.45

Here’s How a Florida Independent Insurance Agent Can Help

Independent insurance agents are fully equipped to protect boat owners against commonly faced disasters. Florida independent insurance agents shop multiple carriers to find providers who specialize in boat insurance. 

They can deliver quotes from a number of different sources and help you walk through them all to find the best blend of coverage and cost.

Author | Chris Lacagnina

Article Reviewed by | Jeffery Green

goboatingflorida.com/2018/04/30/different-boats-for-different-folks/

iii.org/article/boat-insurance-and-safety

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