Southwest Florida has more registered boats per capita than almost anywhere in the United States. The Gulf, Ten Thousand Islands, back bays, and ICW mean year-round time on the water. Whether it's a flats skiff, a center console offshore, a pontoon on the river, or a jet ski, the right marine policy covers your vessel, everyone aboard, and your liability on the water. Bruno shops independent markets to find the right fit.
What It Covers
A marine policy is purpose-built for on-water exposure. Unlike auto or home insurance, it's designed around the specific risks of boating in Southwest Florida — Gulf weather, heavy boat traffic on the ICW, theft at marinas, and hurricane season. Each coverage layer addresses a distinct exposure.
Covers the vessel itself — hull, motor(s), permanently attached equipment, and electronics — against collision, sinking, fire, theft, and storm damage. This is the foundation of any marine policy and is priced based on vessel type, hull length, engine size, and where you navigate.
Pays for damage to other boats, docks, and property you cause, plus legal defense costs and judgments if you're sued after an on-water accident. On a busy waterway like the ICW or Gordon Pass, liability exposure is real — a collision with another vessel can produce significant damage claims.
Covers medical expenses for you and your passengers injured on your boat, regardless of fault. Medical payments coverage activates immediately after an accident — no need to establish liability first — making it the fastest way to get injured passengers taken care of while a claim is sorted out.
Protects you if you're struck by a boater who carries no insurance or insufficient coverage. Florida does not require boat owners to carry liability insurance — which means a significant number of vessels on the water are uninsured. Uninsured boater coverage closes that gap so you're not left paying out of pocket after someone else's negligence.
Emergency towing, fuel delivery, soft ungrounding, and on-water assistance — think of it as roadside service for your boat. When your engine dies five miles offshore or you go aground on a sandbar in the backcountry, towing coverage brings you in without a bill that can run into the hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Types of Watercraft
Marine policies in Florida cover a wide range of vessels. Coverage terms, navigation limits, and pricing vary significantly by vessel type — a Gulf-rigged offshore center console is underwritten differently than a pontoon on a river. Bruno works with insurers who specialize in the Florida market and know the difference.
From small bay boats to offshore-rigged center consoles running to the Gulf Stream. Navigation territory — coastal, offshore 50 miles, or beyond — determines pricing and terms. Offshore hulls with outboard arrays are insured to agreed value, not ACV.
Cruising sailboats, racing keelboats, and daysailers. Sailboat policies account for rigging, sails, and navigation range — some policies allow extended cruising to the Bahamas or Caribbean with proper coverage endorsements. Racing exclusions may apply; ask Bruno about scheduled racing coverage.
Popular on the Caloosahatchee, Peace River, and bay areas around Fort Myers and Cape Coral. Pontoons are generally rated for inland and coastal protected waters — not offshore Gulf navigation. Liability limits matter here as pontoons typically carry more passengers than other vessel types.
Personal watercraft can be added to a marine policy or written as a standalone policy. PWC liability exposure is high — they're fast, maneuverable, and operate in crowded waterways. Dedicated PWC coverage with adequate liability limits ($300,000+) is the right approach, not a homeowners endorsement.
SWFL Specifics
This is the single most important policy decision for boat owners. The difference only becomes apparent at total loss — when it's too late to change.
At total loss, you receive what the boat is worth at that moment — minus depreciation. Buy a $90,000 boat today; after five years of depreciation it may be worth $60,000. That's what you receive at total loss, not $90,000. Gap between payout and replacement cost comes out of your pocket.
You and the insurer agree on the vessel's value at policy inception — say $90,000. At total loss, you receive $90,000 regardless of when it happens or what depreciation has occurred. No surprises. No gap. Agreed value costs slightly more but removes the risk of a significant underinsurance gap after a major loss.
For newer boats, higher-value vessels, and anything with significant electronics or custom rigging, agreed value is the right choice. Bruno explains the trade-off clearly and lets you make an informed decision — not one you'll regret when you file a claim.
Florida named storm deductibles apply to boat policies just as they do to home policies. Typically 2–5% of your agreed/insured value, they trigger when a named storm is within a defined distance of your location. On a $100,000 vessel, that's a $2,000–$5,000 deductible before coverage kicks in.
Where your boat is when a storm hits matters as much as your coverage limits. Policies often carry specific hurricane haul-out requirements: when a named storm is within 72 hours, you may be required to remove the vessel from the water, transport it to a listed dry storage facility, or haul it to a designated safe zone. Failure to comply can affect your claim.
Dry rack storage at an enclosed facility gives you the best outcome in a storm and typically earns the best rates. Moored vessels at an open marina have the highest exposure — both to storm damage and to theft during the chaos following a hurricane. Bruno walks through storage options and their coverage implications before your policy is issued — not after a storm when it's too late. See flood insurance →
Free Quote
No pressure. No obligation. Bruno reviews vessel type, navigation territory, storage situation, and current coverage — and responds within 24 hours.
Thank you — Bruno will reach out within 24 hours. You can also call directly: (239) 850-2268.
Common Questions
Licensed Florida agent. Bruno reviews your vessel, navigation territory, and storage situation to find the right marine policy — not just the cheapest one.