Personal Insurance  /  Boat & Watercraft

Boat & Watercraft Insurance

Boat Insurance for
Life on the Water.

Texas lakes, rivers, and reservoirs give you plenty of reasons to get out on the water. Your homeowners policy isn’t one of them — boats and watercraft need their own coverage for the liability, damage, and risks that come with time on the water.

We cover:
Fishing Boats
Ski & Wakeboard Boats
Pontoon Boats
Jet Skis & Personal Watercraft
Bass Boats
Sailboats

What Boat Insurance Covers

On the water, at the dock, and in transit — your boat needs its own policy.

A dedicated watercraft policy covers your boat the way it needs to be covered — on the water, trailered to and from the lake, tied up at a marina, and in storage during the off-season. Your homeowners policy may offer very limited coverage for a small, low-value boat, but for anything with real value or real power on the water, a separate policy is the right call.

Texas has some of the best freshwater fishing and boating in the country. Lake Granbury, Possum Kingdom, Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Lewisville — people from the Mansfield and DFW area are out on these lakes regularly. A watercraft policy makes sure the time on the water stays enjoyable and that you’re protected if something goes wrong.

Standard boat coverage includes:

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    Liability coverage — bodily injury and property damage you cause to others on the water
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    Physical damage — collision, sinking, fire, theft, and weather damage to your boat and motor
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    Trailer coverage — damage to your boat trailer while in transit or in storage
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    Uninsured watercraft — protects you when another boater causes an accident and has no coverage
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    Medical payments — covers medical costs for you and your passengers after an on-water accident
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    Emergency towing — towing assistance if your boat breaks down on the water
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    Fishing equipment — rods, tackle, and gear stored on your boat, up to policy limits

Your homeowners policy covers a lot — but probably not your boat on the water.

Most homeowners policies offer limited watercraft coverage, and the coverage they do provide rarely applies once you’re on the water. Here’s where the gaps typically appear.

Homeowners coverage for boats is very limited

Most homeowners policies cover small, low-horsepower boats — think canoes or small johnboats — up to a low dollar limit, and only while on your property. Once your boat is on the water, at a marina, or trailered to a lake, homeowners coverage typically does not apply. Any boat with real value or real power needs its own policy.

On-water liability is a real exposure

Boating accidents — collisions with other watercraft, dock damage, injuries to passengers or swimmers — can generate significant liability claims. Homeowners liability typically excludes motorized watercraft on the water entirely. A watercraft policy provides the liability protection you actually need when you’re operating on Texas lakes and rivers.

Why Get Your Boat Insurance Through McKnight

One agency for your home, auto, and everything on the water.

Boat insurance is often an afterthought — something people add in a hurry before the first trip of the season without much thought about what they’re actually getting. A watercraft policy placed through the same agency as your home and auto gives you one account manager who can look at your full picture and make sure your boat coverage is actually adequate for what you own and how you use it.

We work with carriers that write watercraft coverage across all boat types and use profiles — weekend lake trips, serious fishing, wake sports, year-round Texas use. Call us and we’ll find the right fit.

One account manager
Your boat sits alongside your home and auto — one person sees the full picture of your household coverage.

100+ carriers
We shop across carriers that write watercraft coverage to find the right program for your boat and how you use it.

Real answers when you call
817.277.6166, weekdays 8:30–5pm. Someone who actually knows what they’re looking at picks up.

FAQ

Boat insurance questions we hear most.

Does my homeowners insurance cover my boat?
Most homeowners policies include limited watercraft coverage — typically for small, low-horsepower boats up to a low dollar limit, and only while on your property. Once your boat is on the water, being trailered to a lake, or stored at a marina, homeowners coverage generally doesn’t apply. Any boat with meaningful value, significant horsepower, or regular use on the water needs its own dedicated watercraft policy.
Is boat insurance required in Texas?
Texas does not require boat insurance by law, but many marinas and lake facilities require proof of liability coverage before you can dock or launch. More importantly, boating accidents can generate significant liability — a collision with another boat, dock damage, or injuries to passengers or swimmers can be financially serious without coverage. Operating without boat insurance is a real financial risk on Texas lakes.
Does boat insurance cover my trailer?
Most watercraft policies include trailer coverage as part of the package — covering damage to the trailer while in transit and in storage. Your auto policy may cover liability for the trailer while it’s being towed, but physical damage to the trailer itself typically requires the watercraft policy. We confirm trailer coverage is included when we set up your boat policy.
What about my fishing gear and equipment on the boat?
Many watercraft policies include coverage for fishing equipment — rods, reels, tackle, and personal gear stored on the boat — up to a policy sublimit. If you have significant fishing equipment, it’s worth checking that sublimit against what you actually carry on the water. High-value electronics like fish finders and marine navigation equipment may also need to be specifically addressed.
Can I bundle my boat policy with my home and auto?
In many cases, yes — some carriers that write your home and auto also write watercraft coverage and offer multi-policy discounts. Even when the boat policy is with a specialty watercraft carrier, managing it through the same agency means your account manager sees your full coverage picture and can make sure nothing is duplicated or missing across your policies.

Get Started

Let’s get your boat covered before you hit the water.

Call us or request a quote — we’ll find the right watercraft policy for what you own and how you use it, and make sure it fits alongside the rest of your household coverage.

McKnight Insurance Services  ·  Mansfield, TX  ·  Weekdays 8:30am–5pm