By Jon Merwin, Founder and CEO, Licensed Insurance Advisor
Massachusetts has more kinds of boating than almost any state its size: moorings off Marblehead and Hingham, slips in Boston Harbor, sailboats on Buzzards Bay, center consoles running to the Vineyard, pontoon boats on Lake Quinsigamond and Webster Lake, and johnboats on the Connecticut River near Amherst. The rules changed in 2026, the coast sees nor’easters and the occasional hurricane, and a boat policy has to fit where and how the boat is actually used.
We are licensed in Massachusetts and based just up Route 95 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where our family has run this independent agency since 2005. Bay State boat owners deal with us over the phone or by email, and we put their boats in front of 40+ carriers. Google reviewers have made us New Hampshire’s highest-rated agency on Google: 1,000+ Google reviews and over 2,000 testimonials so far. Call (603) 431-4020 to talk it through.
Key takeaways
- Massachusetts does not require boat insurance by law, but lenders, marinas and mooring permits often do.
- Hanna’s Law: operators born after January 1, 1989 need a boater safety certificate as of April 1, 2026; everyone else by April 1, 2028.
- No one under 16 may operate a jet ski on Massachusetts waters, and jet skis are barred from ponds and lakes under 75 acres.
- Accidents involving injury, death or property damage above the state threshold must be reported to the Environmental Police.
- On the coast, read the hurricane terms, the wreck removal limit and where the policy lets you go.
The new boater safety certificate
The Hanson-Milone Boater Safety Act (Acts of 2024, chapter 350) added sections 9C through 9F to chapter 90B. Under § 9D the state runs a boater safety course and exam, the certificate is good for life, and no one under 12 can receive one. Section 9E then says no one may operate a motorboat or personal watercraft without an original valid certificate on board, with a list of exceptions. According to the state’s boating law summary, the requirement is phased in:
| Operator | Certificate needed by | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Born after January 1, 1989 | April 1, 2026 | The state said it would not assess penalties before September 1, 2026 |
| Born on or before January 1, 1989 | April 1, 2028 | Taking the course early is allowed |
| Under 12 | Not eligible for a certificate | May operate a motorboat only with a certified adult 18 or older on board and directly supervising |
| Non-residents | Covered by an approved home-state certificate | Carry it on board |
| New owners | Temporary certificate | An owner of a newly acquired, registered boat may run it for six months with a printed temporary certificate |
Why this matters for insurance: carriers ask who operates the boat and what training they have. Telling us that each regular operator holds a Massachusetts certificate, and keeping a copy, makes the application cleaner and avoids an awkward question after a claim. If a guest or family member who is not certified takes the helm in violation of the law, a claim can get complicated.
Registration, numbering and jet ski rules
Motorboats principally used in Massachusetts must be numbered under § 2, with the number displayed on each side of the bow in block characters at least three inches high (§ 3). Personal watercraft have their own limits in § 9A: a minimum operator age of 16, headway speed within 150 feet of swimmers, shore or moored vessels, no riding on waters under 75 acres, a life jacket at all times, and no riding between sunset and sunrise. And § 8 makes operating under the influence a crime on the water just as on the road; an impaired-operation claim is one most policies will scrutinize.
Coastal boating: moorings, slips and storm season
From Newburyport and Cape Ann down through the South Shore, Cape Cod and the Islands, most Massachusetts boats spend the season on a town mooring or in a marina slip. Moorings are permitted by local harbormasters, and many harbors and marinas ask owners to show proof of liability insurance, sometimes naming the town or the marina. Send us those requirements when you renew your permit and we will match the certificate to them.
Storms drive the biggest coastal claims. Before you buy, ask how a policy handles a named storm or hurricane: whether there is a separate deductible, whether you are expected to haul the boat or move it to a hurricane hole when a watch is posted, and whether the policy helps pay for that haul-out. Wreck removal matters too; if a boat sinks at its mooring, the harbormaster will expect it raised, and that bill can be large. Many carriers set a navigation area and a lay-up period, so a boat that will cruise north of Cape Ann or winter in the water should be described accurately.
| Policy feature | What it does | Massachusetts question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Hull (physical damage) | Repairs or replaces the boat, motor and permanently attached equipment | Agreed value or actual cash value? What deductible applies? |
| Liability | Injury to others and damage to other boats, docks and property | Is the limit high enough for crowded harbors and guests aboard? Will the marina be added? |
| Medical payments | Injuries to people on board regardless of fault | Does it include water-skiers and tubers? |
| Uninsured boaters | Your injuries caused by an operator with no coverage | Is it included or optional? |
| Wreck removal and fuel spill | Raising a sunk boat and pollution cleanup | Is it separate from the hull limit? |
| Named storm terms | How hurricanes and tropical storms are handled | Is there a haul-out benefit? A separate deductible? |
| Towing and assistance | On-water towing, fuel delivery and jump starts | What limit applies offshore? |
| Trailer and personal effects | The trailer, fishing gear, electronics and clothing aboard | Are rods, reels and portable electronics listed? |
Inland lakes and the Connecticut River
Not every Massachusetts boat goes to sea. Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester and Shrewsbury, Webster Lake, the Congamond Lakes in Southwick, Onota and Pontoosuc lakes around Pittsfield, and the Connecticut River through the Pioneer Valley all see bass boats, pontoons, wake boats and personal watercraft. Inland boats raise different questions: trailering on the highway, a dock or lift at a lake house, kids on tubes behind the boat, and winter storage in a barn or backyard. Freshwater-only use sometimes counts in your favor with carriers, and we tell them about it.
Laying up for a Massachusetts winter
Most Massachusetts boats come out of the water between October and early December and go back in around April or May. That lay-up period is often written into the policy, and claims during it look different: shrink-wrap that tears in a February gale, a cradle that shifts on frozen ground, a cracked engine block that never got winterized, a theft from a storage yard. If you keep the boat in the water year-round at a bubbled slip, or move it south for the winter, say so on the application rather than after a loss.
- Winterize the engine and fresh-water systems, or have the yard do it and keep the receipt.
- Take electronics, fishing gear and cushions home, or list them on the policy if they stay aboard.
- Photograph the boat on its stands or trailer and note the storage location and lock.
- Check that the trailer tires, lights and coupler are sound before the spring launch run.
Boat clubs, rentals and sharing
Renting your boat to strangers through a peer-to-peer app, running paid fishing trips, or putting the boat in a shared-ownership arrangement are commercial uses that a personal boat policy usually does not cover. The same goes in reverse: if you rent a boat or belong to a boat club, check what the club’s coverage includes and whether your own umbrella follows you. Ask us before you sign up, not after.
Higher-value boats and umbrella liability
A larger cruiser, a sportfishing boat or a classic wooden sailboat may need agreed-value coverage, broader navigation limits and higher liability. Hanover writes boats in every state where we are licensed, Massachusetts included, and Liberty Mutual and Foremost are among our other boat markets here; Chubb comes into play when the boat itself is high-value. Many owners pair the boat with an umbrella policy, though not every umbrella extends over every boat by size and horsepower, so we check that the two fit together. If the boat goes with a waterfront home, our Massachusetts coastal home guide covers the house.
Boat insurance in nearby states
Our general boat and watercraft insurance page explains coverage across New England. If you cruise beyond Massachusetts, see our pages for Rhode Island, Connecticut and Portsmouth, New Hampshire boaters. We also have local pages for coastal towns such as Rockport, Hull, Plymouth and Edgartown.
How we help Massachusetts boat owners
Send us the boat’s details, a photo or two, and your current declarations page. We compare markets for agreed value, deductibles, storm terms, navigation area, liability limits and operator rules, and we prepare certificates for your marina or mooring permit. We don’t charge additional fees. If the boat is damaged or someone is hurt, ring us before anyone else and we will get the claim reported and stay with you until it is resolved. You can read about Jon Merwin, who started the agency, and how we work.
Get a Massachusetts boat quote
Request a quote. There’s no obligation to buy. Fill out the form on this page, send the boat’s details to insure@portsmouthatlanticins.com, start from our quotes page, or phone (603) 431-4020. Someone picks up from 9 to 5 Monday to Thursday and 8 to 4 on Friday, Eastern.
Frequently asked questions
Does Massachusetts require boat insurance?
State law does not make a recreational boat owner buy insurance. Massachusetts does require motorboats to be numbered and registered (c. 90B § 2) and, since April 1, 2026, requires operators to carry a boater safety certificate on a phased schedule. Insurance is usually demanded by someone else: a lender on a financed boat, a marina or yacht club, or a harbormaster issuing a mooring permit. Without it, an injury claim or a sinking at the mooring is yours to pay.
Who needs a boater safety certificate in Massachusetts now?
Under the Hanson-Milone Boater Safety Act, often called Hanna’s Law, anyone born after January 1, 1989 needs a certificate to run a motorboat or personal watercraft as of April 1, 2026, and everyone born on or before that date needs one by April 1, 2028 (Mass.gov FAQ). There are exceptions, including operators directly supervised by a certified adult 18 or older and non-residents with an approved certificate from home (c. 90B § 9E).
Can my teenager drive the jet ski?
Not on Massachusetts waters if they are under 16. Chapter 90B § 9A sets 16 as the minimum age for a jet ski, keeps riders at headway speed within 150 feet of swimmers, shore or moored boats, bars them from waters under 75 acres and from riding between sunset and sunrise, and requires a life jacket. Tell us who will ride so the policy lists the right operators.
Does my homeowners policy cover my boat?
Only in a narrow way. Many homeowners forms give a little coverage to small boats such as canoes and kayaks, often with low limits and little or no liability once a motor gets bigger. A powerboat, sailboat with an auxiliary engine, or personal watercraft generally needs its own boat policy. Ask us to compare the two if you are unsure.
What should I do after a boating accident in Massachusetts?
Help anyone in danger if you can do so safely, exchange names, addresses and boat identification, and notify the Environmental Police when anyone dies, is hurt, or property damage exceeds the threshold set in c. 90B § 9. A written report follows within 48 hours for a death and within five days for other accidents. Then call us so the claim is opened right away.
Is my boat trailer covered?
A boat policy often includes or can add coverage for physical damage to the trailer, but liability while towing comes from the auto policy on the vehicle doing the pulling. Make sure both policies know about the trailer, its value, and where it is stored over the winter.
What details help you quote a Massachusetts boat?
Year, make, model and length; hull material; engine type, horsepower and year; the hull identification number; the value you want insured; where the boat is kept in season and stored in winter (mooring, slip, lift or trailer); who operates it and whether they hold a boater safety certificate; any lender; and any boating claims in recent years. Request a quote. There’s no obligation to buy. A phone call to (603) 431-4020 works just as well.
Sources
- M.G.L. c. 90B § 2, numbering of motorboats
- M.G.L. c. 90B § 3, certificate of number and display
- M.G.L. c. 90B § 8, operation under the influence and related rules
- M.G.L. c. 90B § 9, accidents and reports
- M.G.L. c. 90B § 9A, jet ski, surf jet and wetbike operation
- M.G.L. c. 90B § 9D, boater safety education program and certificate
- M.G.L. c. 90B § 9E, boater safety certificate required; exceptions
- Acts of 2024, chapter 350 (Hanson-Milone Boater Safety Act)
- Mass.gov, Hanson-Milone Boater Safety Act FAQ
- Mass.gov, Massachusetts boating law summary
General information for people who own boats in Massachusetts, not legal advice. Nothing here changes or describes a specific policy: the policy wording and the insurer’s underwriting decide what is covered, and the state’s boating statutes are amended from time to time. Want your own coverage looked over? Phone (603) 431-4020.