North Dakota Boat Insurance
Get a complete analysis of North Dakota boat insurance costs, coverages & companies.
Find the Best Boat Insurance Rates & Companies in North Dakota
The abundance of rivers and lakes in North Dakota makes it an attractive destination for boaters. Whether you sail the length of Lake Sakakawea or navigate Devils Lake's ever-increasing surface area by fishing boat, obtaining boat insurance for those unexpected incidents on the water is important. Without this coverage, you could be stuck paying for repairs to your boat after a collision, litigation expenses in the event of a lawsuit, and more.
Fortunately, a North Dakota independent insurance agent can help you get set up with all the boat insurance you need. They'll help you find the ideal policy for your unique vessel. First, though, here's a breakdown of North Dakota boat insurance requirements, costs, and more.
Best Boat Insurance Companies in North Dakota
When it's time to get covered with boat insurance, it's helpful to know which carriers offer only top-quality coverage. We've included just a few of our recommendations for the best boat insurance companies in North Dakota for your convenience. Start your coverage journey by checking into these outstanding carriers.
- Progressive: This carrier offers boat insurance and several other types of personal and business insurance. Progressive has an excellent rating from AM Best and provides year-round, 24/7/365 customer service.
- Safeco: This carrier offers boat insurance and many other types of personal insurance for various watercraft and other vehicles. Safeco has excellent ratings from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB), offers 24/7 claims reporting, and provides free online quotes.
- Travelers: This carrier offers boat insurance and several other types of personal and business insurance. Travelers is also highly rated by both AM Best and the BBB and provides numerous boat insurance discounts.
A North Dakota independent insurance agent can help shop and compare policies and quotes from these carriers and others near you.
What Boat Insurance in North Dakota Can Cover
You can customize your boat insurance policy to include each type of protection you need. In North Dakota, you'll often be able to choose from the following coverage options:
- Boating liability insurance: This covers the cost of third-party claims of bodily injury or personal property damage caused by your boat.
- Comprehensive insurance: Pays for damage to your boat due to a non-collision event such as a flood or theft.
- Collision insurance: Pays for damage to your boat from a collision with another object, regardless of fault.
- Personal effects insurance: This covers the theft, damage, loss, or destruction of personal items like fishing gear, water skis, scuba gear, cameras, cellphones, etc.
- Towing insurance: This covers the cost of towing your boat if it becomes disabled while out on the water, such as if you experience engine failure or steering problems.
- Equipment insurance: This covers the destruction, loss, or damage to any equipment or accessories not originally installed by the manufacturer, such as boat hoists, GPS units, marine instruments, and kicker motors.
- Uninsured/underinsured boater insurance: This covers property damage and medical expenses if you're involved in a boating accident with a boater who doesn't carry adequate insurance to reimburse you.
- Fuel spill/wreckage cleanup insurance: This covers the clean-up of boat wreckage and pollutants from the water if you're responsible for a collision.
- Medical payments insurance: This covers medical expenses if you or your passengers get injured in a boating accident, regardless of fault.
A North Dakota independent insurance agent can help you complete your boat insurance policy in the way that makes the most sense.
Is Boat Insurance Required in North Dakota?
North Dakota state law doesn't require boaters to have boat insurance. However, boat insurance might be required by lenders for those who finance their vessels. Boat insurance is also required by many marinas before boaters are allowed to dock their vessels.
Regardless of whether boat insurance is mandatory, it can still be wise to get a policy. The cost of collisions, theft, vandalism, and other incidents involving your boat can be hefty to have to pay out of your own pocket. For many boaters, the cost of boat insurance is well worth it because of this.
What Boat Insurance in North Dakota Will Not Cover
North Dakota boat insurance comes with its own set of coverage exclusions. Don't expect your boat insurance policy to reimburse you for any of the following disasters:
- Wear and tear damage
- Mold damage
- Damage caused by insects, animals, or marine life
- Damage to your boat's trailer
- Faulty or defective machinery damage (without the proper endorsement)
- Malicious or intentional acts to third parties or their property
Familiarize yourself with your specific boat insurance policy's exclusions so you can be firmly aware of what's not covered.
Average Cost of Boat Insurance in North Dakota
In North Dakota, boat insurance costs an average of $344 per year. Many factors can influence the cost of boat insurance, though, including the following:
- The make and model of the boat
- Your driving record and claims history
- The boat's value, age, length, and engine size
- The amount and types of coverage you need
- Where the boat is stored
Typically, you can expect to pay more for coverage if your boat is more valuable and would be more expensive to repair or replace.
What Boat Insurance Discounts Are Available in North Dakota?
You can often earn several boat insurance discounts from many carriers. The most commonly offered boat insurance discounts in North Dakota include:
- Security discounts: If you protect your watercraft against theft, vandalism, etc., with security devices, your carrier might award you a discount.
- Loyalty discounts: Continuing your coverage with the same boat insurance carrier for a set number of years can earn you a discount over time.
- Affiliation discounts: An affiliation with various alma maters, companies, and organizations might earn you a boat insurance discount.
- Boater safety course discounts: Completing a state-approved boater safety course can often earn you a boat insurance discount.
- Bundling discounts: Bundling boat insurance with home insurance, auto insurance, or another type of coverage through the same carrier can often earn you a discount on each policy.
- Lay-up discounts: If you only use your boat during summer, you might qualify for additional discounts.
Your North Dakota independent insurance agent can find and apply any boat insurance discounts you earn to your policy for you.
Popular Questions about North Dakota Boat Insurance
Boat insurance isn't required by law in North Dakota. However, boaters may still choose to get coverage to avoid having to pay for various expenses out of their own pockets.
Boat insurance costs an average of $344 annually in North Dakota. The cost of boat insurance can vary based on the type of boat insured and many other factors, though.
We found that Progressive is the best boat insurance company in North Dakota. Progressive's coverage options, rates, discounts, and customer service ratings easily earned them our top spot.
If you cause an accident while towing your boat, you can use your personal boat insurance policy to cover various expenses. Your boat insurance can pay for repairs to your own property and third-party property and cover medical expenses for injuries to third parties or yourself and your passengers.
You don't need boat insurance by state law in North Dakota. However, many boaters still choose to get coverage in order to be allowed to dock their vessels at various marinas.
In North Dakota, boat insurance policies can vary based on the type of coverage chosen. You can buy coverage to guard against expenses related to collision damage, threats other than collision, and much more.
North Dakota independent insurance agents can help you find the boat insurance you need from a top-rated local carrier. Independent insurance agents work hard to find quality coverage at the most affordable rate. They'll shop and compare boat insurance quotes from a number of different carriers for you. And down the road, they can help you file boat insurance claims or update your coverage as needed.
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