Personal Insurance / Boat & Watercraft
Boat Insurance for Life on the Water.
Texas lakes, rivers, and reservoirs give you plenty of reasons to get out on the water. Your homeowners policy isn't one of them — boats and watercraft need their own coverage for the liability, damage, and risks that come with time on the water.
We cover:
What Boat Insurance Covers
On the water, at the dock, and in transit — your boat needs its own policy.
A dedicated watercraft policy covers your boat the way it needs to be covered — on the water, trailered to and from the lake, tied up at a marina, and in storage during the off-season. Your homeowners policy may offer very limited coverage for a small, low-value boat, but for anything with real value or real power on the water, a separate policy is the right call.
Texas has some of the best freshwater fishing and boating in the country. Lake Granbury, Possum Kingdom, Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Lewisville — people from the Mansfield and DFW area are out on these lakes regularly. A watercraft policy makes sure the time on the water stays enjoyable and that you're protected if something goes wrong.
Standard boat coverage includes:
Liability coverage — Bodily injury and property damage you cause to others on the water.
Physical damage — Collision, sinking, fire, theft, and weather damage to your boat and motor.
Trailer coverage — Damage to your boat trailer while in transit or in storage.
Uninsured watercraft — Protects you when another boater causes an accident and has no coverage.
Medical payments — Covers medical costs for you and your passengers after an on-water accident.
Emergency towing — Towing assistance if your boat breaks down on the water.
Fishing equipment — Rods, tackle, and gear stored on your boat, up to policy limits.
Why Your Homeowners Policy Isn't Enough
Your homeowners policy covers a lot — but probably not your boat on the water.
Most homeowners policies offer limited watercraft coverage, and the coverage they do provide rarely applies once you're on the water. Here's where the gaps typically appear.
Homeowners coverage for boats is very limited
Most homeowners policies cover small, low-horsepower boats — think canoes or small johnboats — up to a low dollar limit, and only while on your property. Once your boat is on the water, at a marina, or trailered to a lake, homeowners coverage typically does not apply. Any boat with real value or real power needs its own policy.
On-water liability is a real exposure
Boating accidents — collisions with other watercraft, dock damage, injuries to passengers or swimmers — can generate significant liability claims. Homeowners liability typically excludes motorized watercraft on the water entirely. A watercraft policy provides the liability protection you actually need when you're operating on Texas lakes and rivers.
Why Get Your Boat Insurance Through McKnight
One agency for your home, auto, and everything on the water.
Boat insurance is often an afterthought — something people add in a hurry before the first trip of the season without much thought about what they're actually getting. A watercraft policy placed through the same agency as your home and auto gives you one account manager who can look at your full picture and make sure your boat coverage is actually adequate for what you own and how you use it.
We work with carriers that write watercraft coverage across all boat types and use profiles — weekend lake trips, serious fishing, wake sports, year-round Texas use. Call us and we'll find the right fit.
One account manager
Your boat sits alongside your home and auto — one person sees the full picture of your household coverage.
100+ carriers
We shop across carriers that write watercraft coverage to find the right program for your boat and how you use it.
Real answers when you call
817.277.6166, weekdays 8:30–5pm. Someone who actually knows what they're looking at picks up.
FAQ
Boat insurance questions we hear most.
Boat Insurance Insights
What Texas boat owners need to know about coverage on the water, uninsured boaters, and more.
Get Started
Let's get your boat covered before you hit the water.
Call us or request a quote — we'll find the right watercraft policy for what you own and how you use it, and make sure it fits alongside the rest of your household coverage.
McKnight Insurance Services · Mansfield, TX · By appointment · Weekdays 8:30am–5pm