Runabout Insurance for the Boat You Actually Use
Simple, reliable coverage for the boat you take out the most.
Runabout, bowrider, whatever you call it, this is the boat that gets used. A quick run after work. A weekend on the lake. A last-minute trip out to the sandbar. It doesn't need complicated coverage. It needs coverage that works as hard as you play.
Get an Instant QuoteWhat's Covered on Your Runabout
Runabout insurance from MD Marine covers your engine, your navigation electronics and the everyday use that comes with a boat this versatile.
Here's what that looks like on the water:
- Motors built to start, run and keep running, trip after trip
- Navigation electronics you count on after dark and in the chop
- Coverage that fits whether you're fishing at dawn, cruising at dusk or just out for a ride
Runabout Insurance in Canada
Runabout insurance typically covers damage to your boat and engine, liability to others and theft. Runabouts get used more often than most boats, so your policy should fit frequent, varied use.
What Runabout Insurance Typically Covers
Most policies protect the hull, engine and electronics, with options for your trailer and personal effects. Ask how towing gear, such as wakeboard towers and ballast, is treated. A licensed broker should review your coverage.
Risks That Are Specific to Runabouts
Speed and frequent use make collisions and groundings the most common losses. Waterskiing and wakeboarding add liability risk to riders and swimmers around the boat.
Trailering is part of runabout life. Ramp accidents, trailer failures and roadside theft can all lead to claims, so ask how your policy treats the boat in transit.
What Affects Your Premium
Insurers look at the runabout's value, length and age, engine horsepower, where you boat and where it's stored. Your experience and claims history count too.
Tell us about modifications like tower upgrades or sound systems, and how often you tow skiers or tubers.
Season, Launch and Storage
Most Canadian runabouts are used from spring launch to fall haul-out. Launch and haul-out are the busiest times for trailer and ramp incidents.
Winterizing the engine and storing the boat indoors or under a cover reduce frost damage and theft. Ask how your policy treats a boat that is laid up.
Towing, Tubes and Water Sports
A runabout often pulls skiers, wakeboarders and tubers. Spotters, flags and sensible speeds reduce the chance of an injury, which is where most liability claims start.
Tell us what you tow, because water sports can change how liability applies. Wake enhancement gear like ballast bags and surf systems adds weight and value, so list it and check your boat's load limits.
Dock, Lift and Storage Risks
Many runabouts live on a lift or at a marina slip. Lifts can fail, lines can chafe and neighbouring boats can swing into yours in a storm. Check your lines and fenders each season.
Ask how your policy treats damage while the boat is on a lift or at a dock. If the boat travels between a home driveway and the lake, say so. A trailer in a driveway is a different risk from a slip at a marina.
Maintenance and Claims Prevention
A runabout gets heavy use, so basic upkeep pays off. Service the engine on schedule, check the bilge pump and keep fuel lines and hoses in good condition. Keep records, since a maintenance history helps if you ever need to make a claim.
Photograph the boat at the start of each season and keep receipts for upgrades. Review your coverage each spring in case your boat or how you use it has changed.
Where Canadian Runabout Owners Insure
Ontario owners can read about boat insurance in Ontario, and west-coast owners about boat insurance in British Columbia. Ready to price your runabout? Get a quote.
Why Boaters Choose MD Marine
We do boat insurance. Only boat insurance. For over 20 years we've worked with boaters in nine provinces, including Ontario, Quebec and Alberta, and we know what a season looks like from the dock.
- An instant quote, without the back-and-forth
- Specialists who know boats
- Your policy at your fingertips in the Client Centre
Before You Head Out
A few minutes at the dock can save you a long day on the water.
- Check your fuel system. Look over the lines, sniff for fuel and make sure you have enough to get out and back.
- Test your navigation lights. If there's any chance you'll be out past sunset, check them before you leave the dock.
- Confirm your policy is current. It's an easy thing to let slide, and a bad thing to find out about on the water.
Runabout Insurance FAQ
Is a bowrider insured like a runabout?
Generally, yes. A bowrider is a runabout with open bow seating, and policies are built around the boat's details, such as size, engine and value, rather than the style name.
Does runabout insurance cover waterskiing and tubing?
Liability can apply to towed activities, subject to the policy's terms. Tell us if you tow skiers, wakeboarders or tubers, and a licensed broker can confirm how your policy handles it.
Is my trailer covered?
It can be. Tell us about the trailer so it's listed on your policy.
Is my runabout covered for local day trips?
Day trips are exactly the kind of boating these policies are built around. Evening runs, lake days, a quick spin before dinner. Your policy's navigation limits set where you're covered, so tell us where you boat.
Do you insure runabouts outside Ontario?
Yes. We insure boaters across Canada, including Ontario, Quebec and Alberta.
How much does runabout insurance cost?
It depends on the boat's value, length, age and engine, where you boat and where it's stored, plus your experience and claims history. Get a quote online for a figure based on your boat. It takes a few minutes.
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