Louisiana boat insurance

Boaters in Louisiana enjoy a wealth of waterways, including the mighty Mississippi River, Lake Pontchartrain, and the Gulf of Mexico. If you own a pontoon, center console, runabout, or another type of watercraft, Progressive offers customized and affordable protection for you and your boat, on and off the water. Learn about boat insurance in Louisiana, including coverages, discounts, and cost information.

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Does Louisiana require boat insurance?

Boat insurance isn't required by Louisiana law, but some marinas may mandate boat liability coverage. In addition, if you lease or finance your watercraft, your lender may require comprehensive and collision coverages for your boat, which may pay to repair or replace your damaged or stolen watercraft.

CoverageWhat it covers
Bodily injury and property damage liabilityWhat it coversInjuries you're liable for and damage you cause to another boat or property while boating
ComprehensiveWhat it coversTheft, vandalism, fire, glass breakage, collisions with animals, and weather-related issues
Collision What it coversCollisions with another watercraft, docks, or objects

If you own your boat outright and you aren't required to carry liability coverage, protecting your watercraft investment — as well as your assets if you cause an accident on the water — can still be important for boaters in Louisiana.

How much is boat insurance in Louisiana?

In 2023, the average annual cost for a Progressive boat insurance policy in Louisiana was $537.08.* However, Progressive offers boat insurance in Louisiana for as little as $100/year for a liability-only policy.** Your cost for boat insurance depends on several factors, such as:

  • Type of watercraft: From pontoon boats to PWCs, your boat's unique features may influence your rate
  • Boating experience: Experienced boaters may pay less for boat insurance than boaters new to operating a watercraft
  • Claims history: If you've filed an insurance claim in the past, regardless of fault, you may pay more for a boat policy
  • Horsepower: A powerboat with a large engine may cost more to insure than a sailboat with a smaller engine

Boaters in Louisiana can save on boat insurance by bundling insurance policies with Progressive. Get a multi-policy discount when you combine boat insurance with auto, homeowners, renters, RV, or motorcycle.

How to lower the cost of boat insurance in Louisiana

If you live in New Orleans, Lafayette, Alexandria, or anywhere else in The Pelican State, there are multiple ways to get cheap boat insurance in Louisiana. Progressive lets you start saving immediately with a variety of discounts that can be automatically added to your policy, such as:

  • Multi-policy
  • Paid in full
  • Responsible driver
  • Safety course
  • Original owner

Find out more about boat insurance discounts.

What's the best boat insurance in Louisiana?

From Shreveport to Baton Rouge and throughout Louisiana, the best boat insurance policy gives you freedom and peace of mind. Progressive lets you navigate ocean waters within 75 miles of the coast with coverages designed to protect you and your boat. Plus, we don't require a marine survey.

Pro tip:

Auto insurance may pay for injuries or damages you cause while towing your boat trailer, but it won't pay for damage to your trailer. However, a boat insurance policy can pay to repair or replace your damaged boat trailer up to your policy's limits.

Additional boat coverages in Louisiana

  • Sign & Glide®: If your boat is stuck on the water, Sign & Glide® towing assistance†† can help with on-water towing, jump starts, fuel delivery, and more.
  • Propulsion Plus® mechanical breakdown coverage: In the event of a mechanical breakdown, Progressive can pay to repair or replace the lower unit of an outboard motor or the upper and lower units of an inboard/outboard motor (coverage doesn't apply to jet drives or inboard motors).
  • Wreckage removal: If your boat sinks, we can pay to remove your boat from the water.
  • Fuel spill: Progressive covers the cost of legally required cleaning that comes with spilled fuel.
  • Watersport coverage: If your guests are injured from water-tubing, water-skiing, and other related sports, we may cover their medical expenses up to a certain limit.
  • Fishing equipment or carry-on items: If your fishing equipment or other gear is lost or stolen, you can receive the full replacement cost up to $10,000 for fishing gear, scuba gear, phones, and other items. There's a $1,000 limit per item.

See all Progressive boat insurance coverages.

Louisiana boating information

  1. Per Louisiana boating laws, if you were born after January 1, 1984, you may operate a motorboat over 10 horsepower or personal watercraft if you have completed an approved boater education course.
  2. Required boating equipment in Louisiana includes an efficient whistle or other sound-signaling devices for Class 1, 2, and 3 vessels.
  3. You must have a Louisiana Certificate of Number and validation decals to operate a powerboat or sailboat legally on public waters.

How to get Louisiana boat insurance

Go online

Answer a few simple questions, then customize your coverages.

Get a boat insurance quote online

Call a rep

Speak with a licensed representative who can guide you through everything.

Call 1-866-749-7436

Ask an agent

Connect with a licensed, independent agent near you.

Find an agent in Louisiana

Enjoy life on the water with boat insurance from Progressive

Learn more about our boat insurance offering.