Boat & Watercraft Insurance for Charleston & the SC Coast

Need Boat, Yacht or Personal Watercraft Insurance?

Coastal Insurance Brokers provides boat, yacht, and personal watercraft insurance for owners across Mount Pleasant, Charleston Harbor, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the South Carolina coast. From center consoles and sailboats to pontoons, yachts, and jet skis, our licensed agents compare coverage across multiple marine carriers to match how and where you actually boat.

Is Boat Insurance Required in South Carolina?

Unlike auto and motorcycle insurance, South Carolina does not currently require boat owners to carry liability insurance to register a vessel. That said, a bill pending before the South Carolina legislature (Bill 26, 2025-2026 session) would require owners of watercraft over 70 horsepower, personal watercraft, and specialty propcraft to certify liability coverage at registration and renewal, so this may change.

In practice, insurance is often required anyway: marinas and yacht clubs along the Charleston waterfront typically require proof of liability insurance before issuing a slip or dock agreement, and lenders require full hull coverage on any financed vessel.

What Does Boat Insurance Cover?

Hull coverage pays to repair or replace your boat after a covered loss. You can typically choose between agreed value (a fixed payout set when the policy is written, with no depreciation) and actual cash value (current market value minus depreciation) — agreed value costs more but avoids disputes after a total loss.

Liability coverage pays for injury or property damage you cause to others, including damage to docks, other vessels, or marina property.

Uninsured boater coverage matters more on the water than on the road. Because South Carolina doesn't require boat insurance, a meaningful share of boaters you could collide with carry no coverage at all — this endorsement fills that gap.

On-water towing and assistance coverage helps offset the cost of a breakdown tow, since roadside assistance plans like AAA don't apply on the water.

Local Considerations for the Charleston Lowcountry

Saltwater and brackish water in Charleston Harbor and the ICW accelerate hull fouling, stainless corrosion, and osmotic blistering on fiberglass hulls faster than freshwater use inland — a real underwriting factor for boats kept in a wet slip rather than on a trailer or lift.

Many South Carolina marine policies include a named storm haul-out clause, which can reduce or void coverage if the vessel isn't hauled out or moved to a designated safe harbor once a named storm reaches a specified distance or wind threshold. Knowing your policy's exact haul-out trigger before hurricane season matters more here than in most inland states.

Personal Watercraft (PWC) Coverage and South Carolina Law

Personal watercraft (jet skis, WaveRunners) are frequently excluded or capped under homeowners policies and often need a dedicated PWC policy or endorsement. South Carolina law requires PWC operators to be at least 16 to operate independently, requires anyone born after July 1, 2007 to complete an approved boater education course, requires a Coast Guard-approved PFD at all times, and prohibits operating a PWC between sunset and sunrise.

Boat Insurance FAQ

Do I need boat insurance in South Carolina?

It isn't required by the state to register a boat, but most marinas require proof of liability coverage for a slip, and lenders require full coverage on financed vessels. Given how many South Carolina boaters go uninsured, liability and uninsured-boater coverage are still strongly recommended.

What's the difference between agreed value and actual cash value coverage?

Agreed value pays a fixed amount set when you buy the policy, with no depreciation deducted. Actual cash value pays current market value minus depreciation, which is usually lower after a few years of ownership.

Does my homeowners policy cover my jet ski?

Usually only in a limited way, if at all. Most homeowners policies cap or exclude personal watercraft liability, so a dedicated PWC policy or endorsement is typically necessary.

What happens to my boat insurance during a hurricane?

Many South Carolina marine policies include a named storm haul-out clause that reduces or voids coverage if the boat isn't moved to a safe harbor or hauled out once a storm reaches a specified distance. Review your policy's exact trigger before hurricane season.

Looking for motorcycle or golf cart insurance too? We built dedicated South Carolina guides for both. For high-value vessels, ask about personal umbrella coverage for liability limits beyond your marine policy, and see our flood and hurricane insurance guide for named-storm property risks. Not sure what coverage you need? Contact us for a free consultation.