Boat rental insurance for owners in the US works differently from the Spanish-market explainer we publish — different insurers, different regulatory base, different bundled-policy options through platforms. This page covers the US side: what cover you need to list a boat for paid charter, what premiums run in 2026, the brokers and platforms that offer it, and how it compares to standalone EU charter insurance covered on our Spain page.
What pleasure-use policies don't cover
Every major US recreational marine insurer — Progressive, Allstate, GEICO Marine, Markel, Travelers — excludes paid charter activity from standard pleasure-use policies. The exclusion language varies but the effect is the same: one paid rental voids the policy for that incident and often for the year. Check the 'Exclusions' section of your existing policy for terms like 'charter use', 'rented out', 'commercial use' or 'paid passengers'.
What charter coverage looks like
- $1M passenger liability minimum. US regulatory standard for paid passenger transport. Most insurers underwrite to $1M–$2M.
- Hull cover at agreed value with charter use disclosed on the schedule.
- $300K pollution liability (Oil Pollution Act baseline; some marinas require $500K).
- Crew coverage if you nominate captain or mate.
- Theft and vandalism riders for marine electronics, dinghy, outboard.
Premium ranges — US, 2026
| Boat | Hull value | Annual charter premium |
|---|---|---|
| 22 ft pontoon | $30k–$60k | $900–$1,400 |
| 26 ft tritoon party boat | $55k–$90k | $1,200–$1,900 |
| 32 ft sport yacht | $150k–$280k | $2,200–$3,800 |
| 42 ft motor yacht | $400k–$700k | $3,500–$5,500 |
| 50 ft+ motor yacht | $800k+ | $5,500–$9,000+ |
| 30 ft sailing yacht | $60k–$120k | $1,400–$2,400 |
| 40 ft catamaran | $250k–$450k | $2,800–$4,500 |
| Sea-Doo / Yamaha jet ski | $15k–$25k | $700–$1,100 |
Surcharges: 15–35% for owners without prior charter experience, hulls older than 20 years without recent refit, marina mooring on swing rather than slip, claims history.
Brokers and bundled platform options
- Boatsetter (GEICO Marine / BoatUS). Per-booking bundled policy with $1M liability, available only on Boatsetter listings. Convenient for US owners listing primarily there. See Boatsetter alternative comparison.
- BoatUS Direct. Standalone charter policy. Works for any platform. Strong claims service. Quote online.
- Markel Marine. Underwrites GetMyBoat's bundled option and offers standalone charter cover.
- Allianz / AGCS Marine. Larger yachts (40 ft+) with international cruising — best for owners who run Caribbean charters from Florida.
- SkiSafe (water-sports specific). Wakeboard and ski boat charter — niche but strong on this category.
Peer-to-peer boat rental insurance
This phrase ($13.75 CPC — high-value owner search) usually refers to the per-booking bundled policies Boatsetter and GetMyBoat offer. Both activate when a renter pays, lapse when the boat returns. Convenient but more expensive over a season than standalone annual cover. Standalone wins for owners doing 12+ charters a year; bundled wins for owners doing fewer than 6.
Get started — list with charter insurance ready
List your boat on BoatHire24. We connect you to the right broker for your boat, geography, and charter frequency. EU owners: see our Spain-specific page for Pantaenius / Una / Mapfre options.
Related: owner guides
Frequently asked questions
Does my normal boat insurance cover renting it out?
No. Every major US recreational marine insurer (Progressive, Allstate, GEICO Marine pleasure, Markel, Travelers) explicitly excludes paid charter activity. One paid rental can void the policy for that incident and often for the policy year. You need a separate charter-grade policy.
How much does boat rental insurance cost?
$900–$1,400/year for a 22 ft pontoon; $1,200–$1,900 for a 26 ft party boat; $2,200–$3,800 for a 32 ft sport yacht; $3,500–$5,500 for a 42 ft motor yacht; $700–$1,100 for a jet ski. Premiums depend on hull value, claims history, charter frequency, and mooring type.
What is peer-to-peer boat rental insurance?
Per-booking bundled coverage Boatsetter and GetMyBoat activate during paid charters, with $1M liability and hull cover. Convenient but more expensive than standalone annual cover for owners doing more than 12 charters a year.
Do I need insurance to list on Boatsetter / GetMyBoat / Click&Boat?
Boatsetter's bundled policy covers your boat during paid charters on their platform but doesn't replace owner-held annual cover. Click&Boat treats insurance as add-on. GetMyBoat does too. Standalone annual charter insurance is the safe baseline.
How much liability cover do I need?
US regulatory standard for paid passenger transport: $1M. Many state marinas now require $500K minimum pollution liability and $1M hull liability for slip leases. Recommended underwriting: $1M passenger liability, $1M hull liability, $300K–$500K pollution.
Who are the best brokers for US owners?
BoatUS Direct (strong claims), Markel Marine (broad coverage), Allianz/AGCS Marine (larger yachts and international), SkiSafe (water-sports specific). Boatsetter's bundled GEICO/BoatUS option works only on their platform.
What about EU-flagged boats?
Different market. EU regulators require local cover from local-market underwriters (Pantaenius, Una, Mapfre Náutica). See our <a href="/boat-rental-insurance-spain/">Spain insurance page</a>. US insurers generally won't underwrite EU-flagged vessels.