Boat season is here: How to protect your boat, jet ski, and gear this summer

Boat season is here: How to protect your boat, jet ski, and gear this summer focuses on the risks of taking watercraft out after storage and the limits of relying on home insurance. The U.S. Coast Guard recorded 3,887 boating accidents in 2024, resulting in 556 deaths, 2,170 injuries, and $88 million in property damage, figures the article says likely understate smaller incidents. It warns owners that homeowners coverage generally applies only to small or nonmotorized watercraft while they remain on the property, typically capped around $1,000 to $1,500. Coverage often excludes on-water losses such as collision, capsizing, and running aground, and may not include meaningful liability protection for injuries or damage to other vessels. For larger boats and especially jet skis, the article says a separate boat policy is typically needed. It cites Erica Ostrander of We Insure and describes common homeowners-policy qualifiers including boats up to 25 feet and limited motor horsepower, plus kayaks and paddleboards.