Do You Need Boat Insurance During the Off-Season?

Boat · Originally published September 25, 2015 · Updated November 2026

Once the boat is pulled from Table Rock Lake or Stockton for the year, it is tempting to cancel the policy and pick it back up in spring. It feels like paying for something you are not using. But a boat in storage is still exposed to theft, fire, storms and damage at the storage facility, and dropping coverage can create problems that cost more than the premium you save.

What can happen to a boat in storage

Boats get damaged off the water more often than people expect:

Theft. Boats, motors, trailers and electronics are targets, especially when they sit unattended at storage lots or lake homes for months.
Fire. A storage building or garage fire can destroy everything inside, including your boat.
Weather. Wind can topple trailers or drop trees, hail can damage hulls and canvas, and heavy snow can collapse covers or roofs over stored boats.
Freeze damage. Water left in the engine or plumbing can crack blocks and fittings. Whether this is covered depends on your policy and whether the boat was properly winterized.
Vandalism and animals. Mice and other critters can chew wiring and upholstery over a long winter.

Without physical damage coverage, any of these losses comes out of your pocket.

Lenders and storage facilities may require it

If you financed your boat, your loan agreement likely requires continuous physical damage coverage. Letting it lapse can put you out of compliance with your loan, and some lenders will add their own coverage and charge you for it. Many marinas and storage facilities also require proof of insurance year-round.

Canceling and restarting every year means new paperwork, a fresh quote and possibly a different rate or company. It also leaves room for a gap if you forget to restart coverage before the first spring trip. Keeping one policy in force is often simpler.

Lay-up periods and other ways to manage cost

Instead of canceling, ask about options that reflect how you actually use the boat:

Lay-up or port risk periods. Some companies let you designate months when the boat will not be operated, which can reduce the premium while keeping coverage for theft, fire and other storage risks. Availability and terms vary.
Payment plans. Spreading the premium across the year can make it easier to keep the policy active.
Deductible choices. A higher deductible lowers premium but means more out of pocket on a claim.
Bundling. Some carriers offer a discount when you insure your boat with your auto or home.

If you have a lay-up period, be clear about the dates. Using the boat during that window may not be covered.

Winterize properly

How you store and winterize the boat matters for both prevention and claims. Drain or treat water systems, stabilize fuel, charge or remove batteries and use a well-fitted cover. Our article on boat winterization and insurance explains how these steps tie into coverage, and the same thinking applies to personal watercraft, covered in our jet ski insurance article.

Your homeowners policy probably won't fill the gap

Many people assume their home insurance covers a boat stored in the garage. Homeowners policies usually provide little or no coverage for boats and personal watercraft, and what coverage exists may be limited to small boats or low dollar amounts. Check your policy, or see our article on what homeowners does not cover.

Talk to a local agent

Want to see whether a lay-up period makes sense for your boat? Call 417.865.4800 or request a quote on our boat insurance page.

Common questions

Can I just drop liability and keep physical damage in winter?

Some companies allow coverage changes during lay-up periods, but options vary. Ask your agent what your carrier allows and how it affects your coverage.

Is freeze damage covered if I forget to winterize?

Often it is not, since many policies exclude damage from lack of maintenance or improper winterization. Read your policy and winterize carefully.

Does my boat trailer need coverage in winter too?

If your trailer is listed on your boat policy, keeping coverage active protects it against theft and damage while it sits in storage.

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Written by Auto Insurance Express. Reviewed by Philip Edwards, founder. Philip has run independent insurance agencies in southwest Missouri since 1997. More about the agency.

General information, not advice about your specific policy. Coverage, exclusions and eligibility are determined by the policy forms and endorsements your insurer issues, and state rules change. Confirm details with us before you rely on them.