South Carolina Boat Insurance

Find the Best Boat Insurance Rates & Companies in South Carolina 

With its beautiful coastline and many lakes and rivers, South Carolina has something for everyone. You may spend weekends water-skiing and cruising on Lake Murray or heading to Folly Beach with your fishing boat for a quiet retreat. You likely invested a lot of time and money in your watercraft, so you'll want to protect it with a boat insurance policy.

Fortunately, a South Carolina independent insurance agent can help you get equipped with the right boat insurance policy. Your agent can ensure your policy is designed for your unique watercraft. For starters, though, here's a closer look at South Carolina boat insurance requirements, costs, and more.

Best Boat Insurance Companies in South Carolina

Knowing which carriers in South Carolina offer the best boat insurance can help you save time and effort when shopping for coverage. That's why we've included just a few of our top recommendations for the best boat insurance in South Carolina. Start by looking into these excellent carriers.

1. Foremost: This insurer offers boat insurance and many other types of personal insurance products. Foremost has great AM Best and Better Business Bureau ratings and provides 24/7 claims reporting.
2. Travelers: This insurer offers boat insurance and several other types of personal and business insurance. Travelers has outstanding AM Best and Better Business Bureau ratings and offers many boat insurance discounts.
3. Progressive: This insurer offers boat insurance and many other types of personal and business insurance. Progressive has an excellent AM Best rating for financial strength and provides year-round, 24/7/365 customer service.

A South Carolina independent insurance agent can shop and compare boat insurance quotes for you from these carriers and others in your area.

What Boat Insurance in South Carolina Can Cover

Boat insurance policies can be customized according to your needs with several types of coverage. In South Carolina, you can often choose between the following options:

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

A South Carolina independent insurance agent can help you build your boat insurance policy in a way that makes the most sense for your personal watercraft and how you use it.

Is Boat Insurance Required in South Carolina?

South Carolina doesn't mandate boat insurance by state law. However, many boaters are required to have coverage before they can dock their vessels at a marina. Further, many watercraft finance lenders require applicants to have coverage first.

Boat insurance can be a wise investment regardless of whether it's technically required. Without boat insurance, you could have to pay for the costs of lawsuits, damage to your boat or equipment, and more. The premiums you pay for boat insurance can end up being much cheaper than covering expenses related to just one disaster out of your own pocket.

What Boat Insurance in South Carolina Will Not Cover

South Carolina boat insurance comes with its own coverage exclusions, as does any other policy. Don't be surprised if your boat insurance doesn't cover any of the following:

• Watercraft mold damage
• Watercraft damage caused by animals, insects, or marine life
• Watercraft wear and tear over time
• Watercraft damage due to faulty or defective machinery (without the proper endorsement)
• Boat trailer damage
• Malicious or intentional acts to third parties or their property

Knowing what your specific boat insurance policy's coverage exclusions are can help save you the time and effort of filing unnecessary claims.

Average Cost of Boat Insurance in South Carolina

Boat insurance in South Carolina can be a bit more expensive than in other states, at an average of $527 per year. The cost of boat insurance is often influenced by:

• Your location
• Where your watercraft is stored while not in use
• Your personal boating history
• Your prior claims
• The types and amounts of coverage you select
• Specifics of your watercraft, including its make and model
• The engine size and length of your watercraft

Many additional factors can influence your boat insurance premiums. The less expensive your boat would be to repair or replace, the cheaper your coverage is likely to be.

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What Boat Insurance Discounts Are Available in South Carolina?

Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce the cost of boat insurance in South Carolina. The following discounts are available from most insurers:

• Loyalty discounts: Continuing your coverage with the same boat insurance carrier for a specific number of years can earn you a discount after a while.
• Security discounts: Protecting your watercraft against theft, vandalism, etc., with security devices can earn you a discount.
• Affiliation discounts: Being affiliated with various groups and organizations can lead to boat insurance discounts.
• Bundling discounts: Bundling boat insurance with home insurance, auto insurance, or another type of coverage through the same carrier can earn you discounts on each policy.
• Boater safety course discounts: Completing a state-approved boater safety course can earn you a boat insurance discount.
• Lay-up discounts: Using your boat only during the summer months might earn you a boat insurance discount.

A South Carolina independent insurance agent can help you find the most affordable boat insurance near you and apply any discounts you qualify for to reduce your premiums even further.

Popular Questions about South Carolina Boat Insurance