West Virginia Boat Insurance

Find the Best Boat Insurance Rates & Companies in West Virginia 

West Virginia offers many opportunities for watercraft enthusiasts. Whether you fish the waters of Sleepy Creek Lake or ride the waves at Summersville, finding the right coverage for your boating needs can greatly help protect your investment. Without boat insurance, you could get stuck having to pay for collision damage, lawsuits, and more out of your own pocket if disaster strikes.

Luckily, a West Virginia independent insurance agent can help you find the right boat insurance. Your agent will ensure you get set up with the ideal policy for your personal watercraft. First, though, here's a breakdown of West Virginia boat insurance requirements and more.

Best Boat Insurance Companies in West Virginia

West Virginia boat insurance is sold by many different carriers throughout the state. But when you want to find the best boat insurance in West Virginia, know that certain insurers stand above the rest. Here are just a few of our top recommendations for quality coverage to get you started.

1. Progressive: This insurance company sells boat insurance and many other kinds of personal and business insurance. Progressive has superior financial strength ratings, and its customer service department is available 24/7/365.
2. Foremost: This insurance company sells boat insurance and many other kinds of personal insurance. Foremost has outstanding AM Best and Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings and offers 24/7 claims reporting.
3. Westfield: This insurance company sells boat insurance and many other types of personal and business insurance. Westfield has great ratings from AM Best and the BBB and works with a large network of independent insurance agents.
4. Travelers: This insurance company sells boat insurance and several other kinds of personal and business insurance. Travelers has excellent AM Best and BBB ratings and provides many discounts.

A West Virginia independent insurance agent can help find boat insurance quotes from these top-rated carriers and others that offer affordable, quality coverage in your area.

What Boat Insurance in West Virginia Can Cover

You can build your boat insurance policy in a way that makes the most sense for your unique watercraft and how you use it. In West Virginia, the following coverage options are available from most carriers:

• Collision insurance: Pays for damage to your boat from a collision with another object, regardless of fault.
• Comprehensive insurance: Pays for damage to your boat due to a non-collision event such as a flood or theft. 
• Towing insurance: Covers towing expenses if your boat becomes disabled on the water due to mechanical failure, etc.
• Boating liability insurance: Covers lawsuit expenses related to third-party claims of bodily injury or personal property damage.
• Equipment insurance: Covers costs related to repairs or replacements for equipment or accessories not originally installed by the manufacturer, such as GPS units, boat hoists, and more, that get damaged, lost, stolen, or destroyed.
• Medical payments insurance: Covers medical treatment expenses for yourself or your passengers after a boating collision, regardless of fault.
• Fuel spill/wreckage cleanup insurance: Covers expenses related to wreckage and pollutant clean-up if you cause a collision on the water.
• Personal effects insurance: Covers the cost of repairs or replacements for personal items like scuba gear, fishing gear, and water skis, that get damaged, lost, stolen, or destroyed.
• Uninsured/underinsured boater insurance: Covers expenses related to property damage and medical treatments in case of a collision with a boater who doesn't carry adequate insurance to reimburse you.

A West Virginia independent insurance agent can help you build and design your boat insurance policy with ease.

Is Boat Insurance Required in West Virginia?

While boat insurance isn't required by law in West Virginia, the state requires boaters to officially register their watercraft. Depending on your age, you may also be required to complete a state-approved boating safety education course before you can operate your vessel on public waters. 

Beyond these requirements, it's helpful to consider getting boat insurance if you own or operate any of the following:

Having boat insurance can help you get the reimbursement you deserve if your boat gets stolen or vandalized or you face a lawsuit after a collision. Further, you might actually find you're required to get boat insurance if you dock your watercraft at a marina or if you go through a finance lender.

What Boat Insurance in West Virginia Will Not Cover

Like any other type of coverage, boat insurance also comes with certain exclusions to be aware of. In West Virginia, boat insurance tends to exclude the following incidents:

• Gradual wear and tear of your boat and equipment
• Damage to boats caused by marine life, insects, animals, or mold
• Accidents and more caused by faulty or defective machinery (without an endorsement)
• Damage, destruction, theft, or loss of boat trailers
• Intentional or malicious acts against third parties

Be sure to review your boat insurance policy's list of specific coverage exclusions. Understanding what your boat insurance policy doesn't cover is just as important as understanding what it does.

Average Cost of Boat Insurance in West Virginia

Boat insurance in West Virginia costs an average of $344 per year, which is on par with many other states in the country. However, you might find your personal policy's rates vary, which can be due to the following criteria:

• Your prior claims and boating history
• Which types of coverage you select
• Your boat's engine size and length
• Where you live and store your boat
• How often you use your boat
• Your boat's make and model

A history of filing many boat insurance claims can lead to higher rates. However, if you've remained claims-free and have a boating record free of accidents and other incidents, you might find your boat insurance rates are much lower than the average.

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What Boat Insurance Discounts Are Available in West Virginia?

Often, you can reduce the cost of your boat insurance by way of discounts. In West Virginia, many carriers offer the following boat insurance discounts:

• Loyalty discounts: Keeping your coverage through the same boat insurance company for a set number of years can earn you a discount over time.
• Boater safety course discounts: Completing a state-approved boater safety course can earn you a discount.
• Security discounts: Taking measures to guard your watercraft against theft or vandalism with security devices can earn you a discount.
• Bundling discounts: Bundling your boat insurance with another policy, like home insurance, auto insurance, etc., through the same insurer can earn you discounts on each one.
• Affiliation discounts: Having an affiliation with certain groups and organizations can earn you a discount.
• Lay-up discounts: Using your boat only in the summer can earn you a boat insurance discount.

A West Virginia independent insurance agent can help determine which boat insurance discounts you qualify for.

Popular Questions about West Virginia Boat Insurance