What Is Personal Watercraft Insurance?
Personal watercraft insurance covers jet skis, wave runners, Sea-Doos, and other PWCs from damage, theft, and liability. If you own a personal watercraft in Myrtle Beach or anywhere along the South Carolina coast, this specialized coverage protects your investment and keeps you financially protected on the water.
Whether you ride the waves off North Myrtle Beach, cruise the Intracoastal Waterway near Murrells Inlet, or launch from a ramp in Georgetown, personal watercraft insurance gives you peace of mind every time you hit the water.
Why Myrtle Beach PWC Owners Need Insurance
Personal watercraft are fast, fun, and expensive — and they come with real risks. Collisions, theft, and liability claims can cost thousands of dollars. A jet ski insurance policy protects you from these financial hits so you can enjoy the water without worrying about what happens if something goes wrong.
- Many South Carolina marinas and launch facilities require proof of insurance
- Protects against theft, vandalism, fire, and storm damage
- Covers collision damage if you hit another watercraft, dock, or object
- Provides liability protection if you injure someone or damage their property
- Lenders typically require coverage if you're financing your PWC
- Covers your trailer when towing to and from the water
What Does Personal Watercraft Insurance Cover?
A personal watercraft insurance policy in South Carolina typically includes several coverages designed to protect your PWC, your passengers, and your finances.
Physical Damage Coverage: Pays to repair or replace your jet ski if it's damaged by collision, theft, fire, vandalism, or weather. If your PWC is stolen from your driveway in Conway or damaged in a storm while stored at your Surfside Beach home, this coverage pays for the loss.
Collision Coverage: Covers damage to your personal watercraft if you hit another PWC, boat, dock, or object in the water. Accidents happen fast on the water — this coverage ensures you're not paying out of pocket for repairs or replacement.
Liability Protection: Covers legal expenses, medical bills, and property damage if you injure someone or damage their property while riding your jet ski. If you accidentally hit a swimmer near Pawleys Island or collide with another boat and cause injuries, your liability coverage protects you from a lawsuit.
Medical Payments Coverage: Pays for medical expenses for you and your passengers if injured in an accident on your PWC, regardless of fault. This can cover emergency room visits, ambulance rides, and follow-up treatment.
Uninsured Watercraft Coverage: Protects you if you're hit by another PWC or boat operator who doesn't carry insurance. Just like on the road, not everyone on the water has proper coverage.
Comprehensive Coverage: Covers damage to your personal watercraft from events other than collisions — theft, fire, vandalism, falling objects, and storm damage. If a hurricane damages your jet ski while it's stored at your Myrtle Beach home, comprehensive coverage pays for repairs.
Optional PWC Insurance Coverages
Depending on how and where you ride, you may want to add optional coverages to your personal watercraft policy for more complete protection.
Trailer Coverage: Covers your PWC trailer for damage or theft. If someone steals your trailer from a parking lot in North Myrtle Beach or it's damaged in a road accident while towing, this coverage pays for repairs or replacement.
On-Water Towing and Assistance: Covers the cost of towing your jet ski back to shore if you break down, run out of fuel, or have a mechanical failure on the water. Getting stranded offshore or in the Intracoastal can turn expensive fast without this coverage.
Accessories and Equipment Coverage: Covers aftermarket accessories and equipment attached to your PWC, such as sound systems, fish finders, GPS units, and custom modifications.
Fuel Spill Liability: Pays for environmental cleanup costs if your personal watercraft leaks fuel into the water. South Carolina has strict environmental regulations, and cleanup costs can add up quickly.
Does My Homeowners Policy Cover My Jet Ski?
Many PWC owners assume their homeowners insurance covers their jet ski, but that's usually not the case. Most homeowners policies provide very limited coverage for personal watercraft — often just a small amount for theft while stored at your home, and usually no liability protection on the water.
If your jet ski is worth more than a few thousand dollars, or if you ride it regularly in Myrtle Beach, Litchfield, or anywhere else along the coast, you need a dedicated personal watercraft insurance policy. Relying on your homeowners coverage could leave you exposed to major out-of-pocket expenses after a theft, accident, or liability claim.
Our agents can review your current homeowners policy and show you exactly where the gaps are — and how a standalone jet ski insurance policy fills them.
Jet Ski Insurance vs. Boat Insurance
Personal watercraft insurance and boat insurance are similar but not identical. Both cover physical damage, liability, and medical payments, but PWC policies are tailored to the specific risks and use patterns of jet skis and wave runners.
Jet skis are typically faster and more maneuverable than boats, which means different risk profiles. PWC policies often account for the higher likelihood of operator injury and the unique theft risks associated with smaller, more portable watercraft.
If you own both a boat and a personal watercraft, you'll typically need separate policies for each — though bundling them with the same carrier may qualify you for a discount. Our Myrtle Beach agents can help you figure out the best approach for your situation.
How Much Does Personal Watercraft Insurance Cost in South Carolina?
The cost of jet ski insurance depends on several factors, including your PWC's make, model, age, and value, as well as your riding experience, where you store it, and the coverage limits you choose. Riders in coastal areas like Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Surfside Beach may see slightly different rates due to theft risk and storm exposure.
You may be able to lower your premium by completing a boater safety course, installing anti-theft devices, choosing a higher deductible, or bundling your PWC policy with your home or auto insurance.
Moore & Associates shops multiple carriers to find competitive personal watercraft insurance rates for South Carolina riders. We'll help you get solid coverage without overpaying.
Why Work With Moore & Associates?
As an independent insurance agency in Myrtle Beach, SC, we work with multiple insurance companies to find the right personal watercraft insurance for your needs. We're not tied to one carrier, so we can compare options and get you the best coverage at a fair price.
Moore & Associates has served South Carolina families since 1979. We understand the local waterways and the risks that come with riding along the Grand Strand. When you call, you reach a local agent who knows Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Conway, Murrells Inlet, and Georgetown — not an out-of-state call center.
Get a Personal Watercraft Insurance Quote in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Our personal watercraft insurance agents serve Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and surrounding areas including North Myrtle Beach, Atlantic Beach, Conway, Surfside Beach, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield, Pawleys Island, and Georgetown. Contact Moore & Associates today for a free quote.
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