Nebraska Boat Insurance

Find the Best Boat Insurance Options in Nebraska

Boating is a popular recreational activity on the many inland lakes and rivers in Nebraska. In order to protect your assets while you enjoy time on your boat, it’s important to find appropriate Nebraska boat insurance.

A local independent insurance agent can help you learn more about boat insurance in Nebraska and find you a policy that meets your needs and budget. 

Best Boat Insurance Companies in Nebraska

We selected the following carriers as some of the best boat insurance companies in Nebraska. They are highly rated for their mix of valuable coverage offerings and competitive pricing. 

• Progressive: Progressive is based in Ohio and offers personal insurance, including boat insurance. Nebraska residents can look to Progressive for most of their personal insurance needs. 
• Safeco Insurance: Safeco has been protecting individuals and families with personal insurance coverage since 1923. With a comprehensive range of insurance coverage, including boat insurance, Safeco helps Nebraska boat owners protect what’s important. 
• Foremost Insurance Company: Foremost was founded in 1952 and offers a wide range of coverage, including boat insurance, in 50 states. 
• Travelers: Travelers offers highly rated boat insurance in Iowa. The company also provides a variety of other personal insurance options, including auto, home, and renters insurance.
• Nationwide: Nationwide provides boat insurance and other popular types of personal insurance coverage in Nebraska. The company is headquartered in Columbus, OH, and is represented by independent insurance agents in 50 states, including Nebraska.

An independent insurance agent in your area can help you learn more about these and other Nebraska boat insurance companies. A local agent can help you get competitive quotes for the coverage that fits your needs.

Nebraska Boat Insurance Requirements

Boat insurance is not required by law in Nebraska, but there are a few cases where you might be required to purchase boat insurance by some other entity:

• If you finance your boat purchase, your lender is likely to require you to carry insurance for the duration of your loan. However, insurance coverage is optional once you own the boat outright. 
• If you are using your boat as collateral for a loan, the bank may require you to insure it.
• You may be required to carry insurance if you dock your boat or yacht in certain harbors or marinas.

Many boat owners believe that their homeowners insurance offers liability coverage for losses caused by the negligent operation of their boat. While there may be some coverage in limited situations, it’s not likely to be enough to help you if you’re at fault for a serious accident.

Homeowners insurance does provide some physical damage coverage for certain small boats (e.g., rafts, canoes, or kayaks) while they’re on your property (not in the water). And this coverage usually has a small limit (like $1,000). You’ll need to purchase boat insurance in Nebraska if you want physical damage coverage for a larger motorized boat.

Your independent insurance agent can help you learn more about the requirements for boat insurance in Nebraska, and find a policy that fits your needs. 

What Boat Insurance Covers in Nebraska

Boat insurance in Nebraska works much like car insurance. It covers bodily injury and property damage that you cause while you are operating your boat. 

It can also cover physical damage to your boat and your property inside the boat, depending on the coverage you select. You can tailor your coverage depending on the type of boat you have, how and where you use it, and the types of items you keep onboard. 

A basic boat insurance policy in Nebraska provides you with liability coverage:

• Bodily injury liability coverage: Covers the medical costs associated with injuries sustained by other boaters or by guests and visitors while aboard if you’re at fault for an accident.
• Property damage liability coverage: Covers damage to other people’s property, such as docks, marinas, and other boats, if you’re at fault for an accident. 

You can also obtain coverage for physical damage to your own watercraft:

• Collision coverage: Covers repairs to or replacement of your own boat, motor, trolling motor, or any permanent boating equipment due to damage caused by a collision with another boat or an object while on the water.
• Comprehensive coverage: Covers repairs to or replacement of your own boat, motor, trolling motor, or permanent boating equipment due to damage or loss caused by anything other than a collision, such as theft, vandalism, fire, or a storm.

Some additional coverage options include the following: 

• Personal property coverage for equipment such as tools, life preservers, anchors, and oars
• Coverage for fishing equipment like rods, lures, nets, and tackle
• On-water towing and labor coverage for a disabled vessel
• Medical payments coverage for hospital and funeral expenses for you or your passengers
• Uninsured/underinsured boaters coverage for an accident with another boater with insufficient or no boat insurance

Your local independent insurance agent in Nebraska can help you determine which coverage types may be beneficial for your unique needs. 

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Average Cost of Boat Insurance in Nebraska

The cost of a boat insurance policy in Nebraska can vary significantly from one person to the next. Boat insurance premiums depend on a number of factors, including the following:

• The type, size, and age of the boat: A smaller, less expensive, or less powerful boat will cost less to insure than a large, expensive one. A bass boat, for example, will cost less to insure than a cabin cruiser or yacht. Likewise, a powerful speedboat will cost more to insure than a less powerful motorboat. 
• How frequently and where you use your boat: Most Nebraska residents only use their boats for a few months out of the year. This can reduce costs significantly. In addition, whether you will be using your boat on inland waters or the open sea will affect the cost of boat insurance. 
• The amount of liability coverage you purchase: If you are responsible for serious injuries to another, your liability expenses can be very high. If your boat insurance policy limits seem too low, you may want to consider supplementing them with an umbrella insurance policy.
• The amount of your deductible: Higher deductibles result in lower premiums. You should be sure that your deductible amounts are low enough so that you can reasonably handle them.
• Your driving record: Good drivers are statistically less likely to be responsible for boating collisions, so they will pay lower boat insurance premiums.
• Your credit score: While it might not seem to be closely related, statistically speaking, if your credit score is low, the chances that you'll file a boat insurance claim are higher than that of a person with a high credit score.

You may be eligible for certain discounts on your Nebraska boat insurance policy. Some insurers offer a layup discount, as well as a discount for successfully completing a boating safety course. What’s more, you will likely be eligible for a discount if you bundle your Nebraska boat insurance policy with your home and auto insurance. 

How to Find the Best Boat Insurance Quote in Nebraska

It’s important to comparison shop to find the best boat insurance policy for your needs. Unfortunately, the process of acquiring and comparing insurance quotes can be time-consuming and even frustrating. 

An independent insurance agent makes the process much simpler. A local agent can help you assess your coverage needs and provide you with quotes from multiple insurance companies, allowing you to make the best choice. Plus, working with a local agent is the best way to get knowledgeable, superior service from someone who understands the needs of boat owners in Nebraska. 

Nebraska Boat Insurance FAQs