Jet Ski Insurance Requirements by State: Complete Guide (2026)

Quick Answer: Do You Need Jet Ski Insurance?

It depends on your state and where you ride. Jet ski (PWC) insurance requirements vary:

Key fact: Most states don't require jet ski insurance, but 9 states do. Even when not required, insurance is strongly recommended—jet ski accidents can result in serious injuries and expensive lawsuits.

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What Is a Personal Watercraft (PWC)?

Understanding terminology is important:

Personal Watercraft (PWC) includes:

• Jet Skis (Kawasaki brand)
• Sea-Doos (BRP brand)
• WaveRunners (Yamaha brand)
• Stand-up and sit-down models

All use inboard engines with jet propulsion.

Not considered PWCs:

• Boats with outboard motors
• Pontoons
• Sailboats
• Kayaks and canoes

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States Requiring Jet Ski Insurance

Only a handful of states mandate PWC insurance:

Arkansas

Requirement: Insurance required for all PWCs operated on public waters

Minimum coverage:

• Bodily Injury: $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000

Enforcement: Registration requires proof of insurance

Penalty: Operating uninsured PWC is misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000

Utah

Requirement: Liability insurance or proof of financial responsibility

Minimum coverage:

• Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person / $65,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $15,000

Note: Can self-insure with $80,000 bond or certificate of deposit

South Carolina

Requirement: Insurance for titled PWCs on public waters

Minimum coverage:

• Bodily Injury: $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident
• Property Damage: $25,000

Enforcement: Title and registration process

North Dakota

Requirement: Liability coverage for PWCs over 10 horsepower

Minimum coverage:

• Not specified by statute
• Generally follows auto minimums (25/50/25)

States with Conditional Requirements

Alabama: Required if PWC has 50+ HP and operates on public waters

Louisiana: Parish-level requirements vary; some require insurance

Mississippi: County-level ordinances may require coverage

Texas: Required only for certain lakes and reservoirs (local rules)

Wisconsin: Proof of financial responsibility after boating violations

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States NOT Requiring Jet Ski Insurance

Most states don't legally mandate PWC insurance:

Registration required, insurance optional:

• Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut
• Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho
• Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky
• Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota
• Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire
• New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio
• Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota
• Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming

Why you still need it: Just because it's not required doesn't mean it's not necessary. Jet ski accidents can result in six-figure lawsuits.

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Lender and Marina Requirements

Even if your state doesn't require insurance, lenders and marinas do:

Financed or Leased PWCs

Lenders require:

• Comprehensive and collision coverage
• Liability coverage meeting state minimums (or higher)
• Lender named as loss payee
• Proof of continuous coverage
• No coverage gaps or policy will be force-placed

Coverage must remain until loan is paid off

Marina Storage Requirements

Many marinas require:

• Liability coverage: $300,000-$500,000
• Physical damage coverage on PWC
• Marina named as additional insured
• Certificate of insurance annually

Why marinas require it: They're liable if uninsured PWC causes damage or injury at their facility

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What Jet Ski Insurance Covers

Liability Coverage (Most Important)

Bodily injury:

• Injuries you cause to other people
• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Legal defense and judgments

Property damage:

• Damage to other watercraft
• Damage to docks or marina property
• Damage to other people's equipment

Typical minimums: $25,000-$100,000 per accident

Recommended: $300,000-$500,000 (jet ski accidents can be severe)

Annual cost: $75-$200 for liability only

Physical Damage Coverage

Collision:

• Damage from hitting another watercraft
• Hitting docks, rocks, or debris
• Collisions with fixed objects
• Subject to deductible ($250-$1,000)

Comprehensive:

• Theft (very common for PWCs)
• Vandalism
• Fire
• Weather damage (hail, lightning)
• Sinking
• Animal damage
• Subject to deductible

Annual cost: $200-$600 (varies by PWC value and deductible)

Uninsured Watercraft Coverage

Protects you when hit by uninsured boater:

• Covers your injuries
• Covers damage to your PWC
• Covers hit-and-run on water

Cost: $30-$80 annually

Medical Payments Coverage

Covers medical expenses for you and passengers:

• Pays regardless of fault
• Typical limits: $1,000-$10,000
• Supplements health insurance

Cost: $15-$50 annually

On-Water Towing and Assistance

Covers:

• Towing to shore or marina
• Fuel delivery
• Jump starts
• Emergency repairs

Cost: $20-$60 annually

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How Much Does Jet Ski Insurance Cost?

Liability Only

Full Coverage (Liability + Physical Damage)

Factors Affecting Cost

Increases premium:

• High-performance models (Yamaha FZR, Sea-Doo RXT-X)
• Coastal locations (higher theft rates)
• Young or inexperienced operators
• Claims history
• Low deductibles
• Financing (requires full coverage)

Decreases premium:

• Safety course completion (10-15% discount)
• Multi-policy discount (bundle with auto/home)
• Security features (GPS tracker, alarm)
• Stored indoors or secured marina
• Higher deductibles
• Mature operator

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Jet Ski Accidents and Liability

Common Jet Ski Accident Scenarios

Collisions:

• PWC-to-PWC collisions (most common)
• Hitting swimmers or divers
• Colliding with boats
• Striking docks or pilings

Loss of control:

• Sharp turns ejecting riders
• Wake jumping accidents
• Hitting submerged objects
• Engine failure in rough water

Reckless operation:

• High-speed near shore or swimmers
• Jumping boat wakes unsafely
• Operating under influence
• Inexperienced operators

Why Liability Coverage Matters

Example 1: You collide with a boat, injuring two people. Medical bills total $85,000. Without insurance, you're personally liable. With $100,000 liability coverage, insurance pays claims and legal defense.

Example 2: Your teenage son takes PWC without permission, hits swimmer causing paralysis. Lawsuit seeks $2 million. As owner, you're liable. Without insurance, you could lose your home and assets.

Example 3: You're towing an inner tube. Rider falls off and is hit by following boat. You're sued for $150,000. Insurance covers legal defense ($40,000) and settlement.

Average Claim Costs

Legal defense alone can cost $15,000-$50,000 even if you're not at fault.

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Registration and Title Requirements

Most states require PWC registration:

States Requiring Registration

All states except Alaska, New Hampshire, and Utah require PWC registration for public waters.

Typical registration requirements:

• Owner information
• PWC hull identification number (HIN)
• Proof of ownership
• Registration fee ($20-$100)
• Display registration numbers on PWC
• Renew annually or biennially

Insurance for registration: Required in Arkansas, South Carolina, Utah only

Safety Equipment Requirements

All states require:

• USCG-approved life jacket for each rider
• Fire extinguisher (on some PWCs)
• Sound-producing device (whistle or horn)
• Visual distress signals (for offshore use)
• Engine cutoff lanyard (kill switch)

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Rental Jet Ski Operations

If you rent out PWCs, requirements are much stricter:

Commercial PWC Insurance

Required coverage:

• Commercial general liability: $1-5 million
• Covers rental customers and third parties
• Covers business operations
• Much higher premiums than personal coverage

Annual cost: $5,000-$25,000+ depending on fleet size

State Business Requirements

Commercial rental operations need:

• Business license
• Livery permit or rental license
• Higher registration fees
• Coast Guard inspections (in some areas)
• Safety briefings for renters
• Waivers and liability releases

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How to Get Jet Ski Insurance

Option 1: Add to Boat Policy

If you have boat insurance:

• PWC can be added to existing policy
• Convenient single policy
• May get multi-craft discount
• Cost: Varies by insurer

Option 2: Add to Homeowners Policy

Some homeowners policies:

• Cover PWCs with limits ($1,000-$5,000 typically)
• Very limited coverage
• Usually insufficient for full protection
• May not cover liability on water
• Not recommended as sole coverage

Option 3: Standalone PWC Policy

Dedicated jet ski insurance:

• Full coverage options
• Specialized for watercraft risks
• Most comprehensive protection
• Best for newer or financed PWCs

Insurance Companies Offering PWC Coverage

• Progressive
• GEICO (boat insurance)
• State Farm
• Allstate
• Foremost
• National General
• BoatUS
• Markel

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Special Considerations for PWC Owners

Theft Prevention

Jet skis are frequently stolen:

Protect your investment:

• Remove key and lanyard when unattended
• Use cable lock through tow loop
• Install GPS tracker
• Store in locked garage or secured marina
• Never leave on trailer unattended
• Engrave HIN on multiple parts

Comprehensive coverage is essential—theft claims are common

Trailer Coverage

Your PWC trailer needs coverage:

Options:

• Add to auto insurance policy
• Include in PWC policy
• Typical cost: $50-$150 annually

Covers:

• Collision damage
• Theft
• Liability while towing

Seasonal Use

Many PWC owners use seasonally:

Seasonal storage discounts:

• Some insurers offer reduced rates for laid-up coverage
• Maintains comprehensive, reduces liability
• Saves 30-50% during off-season
• Must notify insurer of storage

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need insurance for a jet ski on a trailer?

On a trailer, physical damage coverage protects against theft or damage. However, you don't need liability coverage unless you're towing it. Your auto insurance covers towing liability.

Can I insure a jet ski on my homeowners policy?

Homeowners provides very limited coverage (typically $1,000-$5,000) and often excludes liability on water. Dedicated PWC insurance provides much better protection.

How old can a jet ski be and still get insurance?

Most insurers cover PWCs up to 20-25 years old. Older models may only qualify for liability coverage, not physical damage. High-end brands get coverage longer than budget models.

Does jet ski insurance cover passengers?

Yes. Liability coverage protects you if passengers are injured due to your operation. Medical payments coverage pays for passenger injuries regardless of fault.

What if someone else operates my jet ski?

Your insurance typically covers permissive users (people you allow to use your PWC). However, you're liable for their actions. Some policies exclude young or unlicensed operators—check your policy.

Is jet ski insurance more expensive than boat insurance?

Generally yes, per dollar of value. PWCs have higher accident rates than boats, leading to higher premiums. A $15,000 PWC may cost $500-$800 annually vs. $400-$600 for a $15,000 boat.

Do I need a boating license to get insurance?

Most insurers don't require a license, but some offer discounts (10-15%) for boating safety course completion. Many states require boating education for young operators.

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Key Takeaways

• Only 9 states require jet ski insurance legally
• Even when not required, insurance is strongly recommended
• Lenders and marinas require comprehensive coverage
• Annual costs: $200-$1,200 depending on coverage and PWC value
• Liability coverage most important—accidents can cause severe injuries
• Theft coverage essential—PWCs are frequently stolen
• Safety course completion can reduce premiums 10-15%
• Bundle with auto/boat for multi-policy discounts

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Important Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about jet ski insurance requirements based on publicly available sources. This is not legal or insurance advice. Requirements vary significantly by state, county, and local ordinances. Watercraft regulations change frequently.

Always verify current requirements with your state boating or wildlife agency before operating a PWC on public waters. Consult with a licensed insurance professional for coverage specific to your situation.

Last verified: January 2026

Sources: State boating agencies, Coast Guard regulations, insurance industry sources, state statutes