Jet Ski Insurance in South Carolina: Cost and Coverage
Do I Need Insurance for a Jet Ski in South Carolina?
No. South Carolina does not currently require insurance for jet skis or other personal watercraft (PWC). However, PWCs have some of the highest accident rates among recreational watercraft due to their speed and maneuverability, and pending state legislation could change the requirement. Liability coverage is strongly recommended even though it is not yet mandatory.
South Carolina also has PWC-specific safety rules worth knowing before you launch: anyone operating, riding, or being towed behind a jet ski must wear an approved life jacket, and inflatable PFDs are not allowed on personal watercraft. Riders under 16 need an approved boater education course before operating one without adult supervision. See the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources boating safety page and its boater education requirements for the full rules.
Pending South Carolina Legislation on PWC Insurance
As of this writing, South Carolina still has no statewide insurance requirement for jet skis, but that could change. Senate Bill 26 (S. 26), introduced by Senator Hutto, would make liability insurance mandatory, and it specifically calls out personal watercraft separately from regular boats.
Unlike the bill’s 70-horsepower threshold for standard boats, the personal watercraft provision has no horsepower minimum. The bill text covers “a watercraft of more than seventy horsepower, or a personal watercraft or specialty propcraft”, meaning if it passes, every jet ski, Sea-Doo, and WaveRunner titled in South Carolina would need at least $50,000 in combined liability coverage, regardless of engine size.
The bill passed a favorable Senate committee report and a second reading (24-19) before being recommitted to the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee in May 2026. It has not become law. Riders who wait for a mandate may find themselves shopping for a policy under time pressure; getting quotes now costs nothing and locks in current rates.
What Does Jet Ski Insurance Cover?
A personal watercraft usually needs its own policy or its own endorsement. Do not assume your boat policy or homeowners policy automatically extends to a jet ski.
Liability Coverage
Pays for injury or property damage you cause to someone else. A jet ski collision on Lake Keowee or a dock accident on Lake Hartwell falls under this coverage.
Physical Damage Coverage
Covers the jet ski itself against collision, theft, fire, and storm damage, whether it’s on a trailer, at the dock, or on the water.
Medical Payments
Pays medical bills for you and your passenger regardless of fault, useful given how often PWC accidents involve falls and collisions at speed.
Uninsured Boater Coverage
Since PWC insurance isn’t required yet, plenty of riders on the water have none. This coverage protects you if an uninsured rider hits you.
How Much Does Jet Ski Insurance Cost?
Jet ski insurance typically runs $100 to $500 a year, roughly 1.5% to 3% of the watercraft’s value for full coverage. Liability-only policies run toward the lower end, $100 to $150 a year, while full coverage (liability plus physical damage) runs $300 to $500 for most riders, more for high-performance models.
| Coverage Type | Typical Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Liability only | $100 – $150 |
| Full coverage (standard PWC) | $300 – $500 |
| Full coverage (high-performance) | $350 – $800+ |
Estimates only, illustrative. Actual cost depends on the watercraft’s value, your age and experience, storage method, and where you ride. Call The Morgano Agency at (864) 609-5285 for a personalized quote.
Jet Ski Insurance on Greenville’s Popular Lakes
Jet Ski Insurance vs. a Boat Policy
Most carriers that write boat insurance also insure jet skis, Sea-Doos, and WaveRunners, but the PWC often needs its own wording rather than a blanket extension of your boat policy. If you own both a boat and a jet ski, bundling both on one policy with the same carrier is usually the most efficient way to cover the household, and can qualify for a multi-watercraft discount. Our boat insurance requirements guide covers the broader legal picture for all watercraft in South Carolina.
Frequently Asked Questions
Serving Boaters and Riders Across Greenville, SC
The Morgano Agency works with boat and personal watercraft owners throughout Greenville County and the Upstate, from Lake Hartwell to Lake Keowee and everywhere between.
Our office is at 206B Pine Knoll Dr, Greenville, SC 29609. We are open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Call us at (864) 609-5285.
Get a Jet Ski Insurance Quote in Greenville, SC
Pontoon on Lake Keowee, bass boat for Hartwell tournaments, or a jet ski for weekend fun, we compare rates across carriers and get you covered.
Ready to Get Covered?
A jet ski policy is inexpensive relative to the risk of an uninsured accident on the water. Our boat insurance page covers the broader watercraft picture, and our boat insurance requirements guide walks through the legal side for all watercraft types. Ready for a quote? Start here.
