In Michigan, boating is a popular pastime. You are never far from an inland lake or one of the Great Lakes if you live in the state. It’s no surprise that there are so many boats on the more than 11,000 lakes, not to mention the rivers. We are the friendly local insurance team at North Coast Insurance Services in Lexington, MI. We want to build long-term connections with all of our clients. We can provide more options and lower costs because we are independent agents.
In Michigan, boat insurance is not needed, but all motorized boats must be registered. If you have a boat loan, however, the lender may require you to purchase boat insurance to protect their investment. It is not a smart idea to be out on the water without boating insurance just because it is not needed. There were 128 boating incidents in Michigan waters in 2019, and the number of accidents, injuries, and deaths has been steadily increasing in recent years. All of these mishaps have cost more than half a million dollars.
Damage or theft to your boat while it is stored at home may be covered in part by your house insurance, subject to your deductible. However, having a dedicated boat insurance policy will come in handy if you get into an accident with your boat or watercraft. Comprehensive boat insurance will cover not just damage to your boat, but also any harm you may do to another boat or structure. It will also provide liability coverage to cover any bodily injury you may inflict as well as any lawsuits that may arise as a result of the accident.
In Michigan, boat insurance isn’t required, but it’s a good idea to have it anyhow. To learn more about the advantages of boat insurance, contact North Coast Insurance Services in Lexington, MI.
What are you required to have on a boat in Michigan?
As required by federal law, all boats sailing on Michigan waterways must have adequate personal flotation devices (PFDs), visible distress signs, fire extinguishers, sounding devices, backfire flame arrestors, ventilation systems, and navigation lights on board.
What does boat insurance cover in Michigan?
SkiSafe provides coverage for Michigan boaters that is tailored to their individual needs. SkiSafe’s extensive coverage will protect you on everything from jet skis to cruisers to fishing boats to yachts, with options like:
- Any-Risk Coverage: SkiSafe will cover practically all physical damage to your boat, trailer, and other insured items. Fire, theft, hitting a submerged item, glass damage, storm damage, and even an accident while towing your boat are all covered. We don’t limit our coverage to losses that are specifically stated in the policy, unlike other insurance companies. So you can relax, we cover dangers that even the most diligent boater may face, even if they are not specifically included in the insurance.
- Replacement Cost Coverage: Under our Replacement Cost Coverage option, if your new boat is totaled within the first three years of ownership, SkiSafe will replace it.
- We’ll replace your boat even if it costs more than you paid for it originally.
- If your boat is a total loss, we’ll pay the agreed value of your boat at the time your policy began if you have SkiSafe’s Agreed Value Coverage. You won’t have to worry about depreciation, and we’ll never tell you your yacht isn’t worth the agreed-upon amount.
Do you need insurance on a pontoon boat in Michigan?
Pontoon boat insurance is highly suggested, even though it is not needed in Michigan, because there are so many unknown circumstances that can occur out on the lake. In addition, depending on the marina or dock where your yacht is docked when not in use, you may be required to get liability insurance.
Is a boating license required in Michigan?
Boaters born after June 30, 1996, as well as most personal watercraft operators, must have a boater education card to operate a vessel in Michigan (boating safety certificate). You can get your marine safety certificate in a few different ways:
Other Options:
The United States Power Squadron (also known as America’s Boating Club) and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary provide education to boaters of all levels (fundamental to advanced courses). Some seminars, which may be fee-based, will provide you with the knowledge you need to acquire a boating safety certificate.
Although some persons do not require a boating safety certificate to lawfully operate a boat or personal watercraft in Michigan, Michigan conservation officers and county sheriffs strongly advise anyone operating a boat in the state to take a course.
Do you have to register a boat with a trolling motor in Michigan?
The Michigan Department of State requires that all motorized watercraft be registered. This comprises kayaks and canoes equipped with a trolling motor. All registrations are good for three years and must be renewed by March 31st. Motorized vessels with a length of more than 20 feet must also be titled.
Do boats in Michigan have titles?
All watercraft 20 feet and longer, as well as all watercraft with a permanently affixed engine, must be titled, regardless of length. Watercraft that are not obliged to be titled may be titled at the owner’s discretion.
If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, use the Search window in the upper right corner to type in a descriptive word or phrase. Alternatively, you can send us an email by choosing “Contact the Secretary of State” in the upper right corner, and we will assist you in obtaining the information you require.
How do you register a boat without a title in Michigan?
Unless exempt, all watercraft must be registered with the Michigan Department of State and have a registration decal displayed on them. A registration number cannot be transferred to another watercraft once it has been assigned. The registration fee for most boats is determined by its length. In the third year after issuance, all registrations expire on March 31.
- Those that are 16 feet or less in length, propelled by oars or paddles, and are not utilized for commercial or rental purposes;
- rafts, surfboards, sailboards, and swim floats, regardless of length; and nonmotorized canoes and kayaks not utilized for rental or commercial purposes.
ExpressSOS allows you to renew your watercraft registration online. When renewing your license, you can also submit a change of address form online. (Changes to the owner’s name or information about the watercraft must be made at a Secretary of State office.) Pay using a Discover, Visa, MasterCard, or eCheck debit or credit card. It’s possible that you’ll be charged a processing fee. You can print your new registration at the end of the transaction if you renew while signed into your account. Within 14 business days, you should get your watercraft decal and an additional copy of your registration in the mail. If you choose the rapid renewal option, you will not be able to print your new registration at the conclusion of the transaction; instead, your registration and decal will be mailed to you.
In the included envelope, mail your renewal notification and payment. Renewal by Mail, 7064 Crowner Drive, Lansing, MI 48918, if you do not have the accompanying envelope. You can pay with a cheque or a money order. Changes to your address can be mentioned on your renewal notification, but changes to your name or watercraft information must be reported in person at a Secretary of State office. Within 14 business days, you should get your updated registration and watercraft decal in the mail.
When visiting a Secretary of State office to renew your watercraft registration, bring your MC number with you. Pay with cash, check, money order, or debit or credit card from Discover, MasterCard, or Visa. If you use a credit or debit card, you will be charged a processing fee. At the counter, you will receive your new watercraft registration and decal.
You can update your watercraft registration address online using ExpressSOS, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State office.
Please visit a Secretary of State office to make changes other than your address.
Simply complete the back of your watercraft registration as part of the transfer or sale if the watercraft is not titled. If you’ve misplaced your registration, create a bill of sale that includes the year, make, hull identification number, registration number (if applicable), and the buyer and seller’s names and addresses. You can get a duplicate watercraft registration online through ExpressSOS or in person at a Secretary of State office if you require one.
- Regardless of length, watercraft with a permanently affixed engine (i.e., those with an inboard motor)
- Watercraft that aren’t ordinarily titled can be titled at the owner’s request to add a lienholder to the record.
The allocated title is used to transfer ownership if the watercraft is titled. A duplicate title can be ordered online through ExpressSOS or in person at a Secretary of State office if the original is lost. To transfer ownership without an assigned title, a court order or surety bond is required.
The former owner’s title is abandoned when the buyer changes the registration into their name if the new owner does not desire a title and the watercraft does not require a title to record a lien (bank loan). The prior title can be canceled at any Secretary of State office.
The buyer will need the assigned registration and Coast Guard documentation papers in the new owner’s name to transfer ownership of a watercraft documented by the US Coast Guard.
Why is boat insurance so expensive?
Aside from where you live, other factors influence the cost of boat insurance, including:
- Fishing boats, pontoon boats, sailboats, and other personal watercraft all have distinct features that can affect the price of your insurance.
- The horsepower of the boat: Boats with more powerful motors, such as powerboats, have higher rates.
- Insurance costs may be lower for more experienced boaters than for novice boaters with less expertise on the water.