Comprehensive Boat and Collision Coverage

What are comprehensive and collision coverages for your boat?

Boat comprehensive and collision, sometimes referred to as hull coverage, are coverages on a boat insurance policy that can protect your boat against theft as well as damage from fire, vandalism, severe weather, and collisions. These coverages are typically optional, but a lender may require them if you finance or lease your watercraft. Both coverages may pay to repair or replace your boat if it's physically damaged in a covered incident, minus your deductible.

2 to readUpdated November 5, 2026

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Key takeaways

Comprehensive and collision are optional coverages on a boat policy unless you finance or lease your watercraft
Boat comprehensive coverage may cover theft or damage caused by unexpected events
Boat collision coverage may pay for damages to your boat if it's in an accident

What does comprehensive coverage on your boat cover?

Comprehensive boat coverage can cover damage to your watercraft from certain unexpected events outside of your control, including:

Impact with an animal
Vandalism
Theft
Weather related damage, including hail, fire, flooding, wind, lightning, and hurricanes
Falling objects

What does boat collision coverage cover?

Boat collision coverage can cover damage if your boat:

Collides with another watercraft
Accidentally hits a dock, pier, or other structure
Comes into contact with submerged objects
Runs aground

Are boat comprehensive and collision coverages required?

Boat comprehensive and collision coverages aren't required by state law. If you're financing or leasing your boat, your lender typically requires boat comprehensive and collision coverages. If you're keeping your boat at a marina, some marinas may require these coverages, as well as boat liability coverage.

Pro tip:

Progressive offers full replacement cost on partial losses as part of comprehensive and collision coverage on your boat. For example, if your boat's outboard motor is damaged in a storm and its depreciated value is $8,000, Progressive will pay the $14,000 to replace it with a brand-new equivalent motor as part of your boat coverage.

How do boat comprehensive and collision deductibles work?

Deductibles for comprehensive and collision insurance are typically separate, meaning you may choose a different deductible amount for comprehensive and collision. Just like auto insurance, a higher deductible can lower your policy's rate but increase your out-of-pocket expense if you have a claim. A lower deductible typically means a higher premium but a lower financial burden in the event of a claim.

Some insurers, like Progressive, offer "disappearing" or "vanishing" deductibles that reward customers who remain accident-free. This type of coverage is available on all Progressive boat policies.

Should you add comprehensive and collision coverages to your boat policy?

Boat comprehensive and collision coverages are typically required by your lender if you finance or lease your watercraft. If your boat is paid in full, whether you add these coverages may depend on your budget, your boat's value, and how much risk you're comfortable taking on.

Consider much you'd be willing and able to pay out pocket if your boat is stolen, damaged, or totaled. Without comprehensive and collision coverage, you may be responsible for covered repair or replacement costs that these coverages otherwise might pay.

Pro tip:

Comprehensive boat coverage can cover your boat against theft and vandalism year-round, even while it's in storage or kept at a marina or in your driveway.

If your boat has a lower value, compare that value with your deductible and the cost of the coverage when deciding whether comprehensive and collision make sense for you. But regardless of your watercraft's value, liability insurance can help protect you if you injure another person or damage their property.

Learn more about what boat insurance covers.