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Galaxy Insurance Brokers
— Watercraft insurance · Manitoba

Coverage for the boat and the weekends it makes possible.

Boats, pontoons and personal watercraft — with seasonal storage built in. Galaxy writes watercraft policies for cottage owners and weekend boaters across Manitoba and into Lake of the Woods country.

See what we cover
20+Carriers compared on every file
7Days a week we are open, across three offices
3Languages — English, Hindi, Punjabi
— Who we serve

The Manitoba boating community.

  • Cottage owners — A boat for the dock at the lake — most often a runabout, pontoon or fishing boat.
  • Weekend boaters — Trailered boats stored at home and launched on weekends across Manitoba and into Ontario.
  • Personal watercraft riders — Jet skis and Sea-Doos — coverage that includes liability for the operator and any passengers.
  • Pontoon and party boats — Larger passenger capacity means higher liability exposure. We size the policy accordingly.
Canoes moored at a wooden dock on a calm lake
Cottage country, covered
— Coverage types

What a watercraft policy actually includes.

  • Hull and machinery — Physical damage to the boat itself — collision, grounding, sinking, fire and theft.
  • Liability — Third-party injury or property damage caused by you or your boat. The piece that matters most if something goes wrong on the water.
  • Personal effects — Fishing gear, water-sport equipment, electronics and what you keep on board.
  • Trailer coverage — The trailer that gets the boat to the lake — covered for collision, theft and damage in transit.
  • Emergency towing and assistance — On-water towing, jump-starts and fuel delivery if your day goes sideways.
  • Seasonal storage — Built in. Coverage continues for the off-season months when the boat is in storage on land or at a marina.
— The home insurance gap

Your home policy will not cover the boat.

Almost every standard Manitoba home policy excludes watercraft liability above a small horsepower threshold — the limit is often 25 hp, which means anything more than a small outboard is uncovered the moment it leaves the trailer. Even smaller craft are usually only covered at the cottage, not on the water and not in transit.

A proper watercraft policy closes that gap. We compare the options across our Canadian carrier panel and recommend the one that fits how you actually use the boat — including passengers, lakes and out-of-province trips.

What we will ask at the quote.

  • · Year, make, model and horsepower of the boat
  • · Trailer details, if applicable
  • · Where the boat is stored in the off-season
  • · Which lakes you launch on and how often
  • · Number of operators and their experience
  • · Whether you ever rent or charter the boat
— FAQ

Watercraft insurance, common questions.

Do I really need watercraft insurance in Manitoba?
Boat insurance is not provincially mandated in Manitoba the way Autopac is for vehicles, but most marinas, slips and lake associations require proof of liability coverage before you can launch or moor. If you cause injury or property damage on the water, your home insurance will not respond — watercraft is excluded on almost every standard home policy. For anything more than a canoe, a dedicated boat policy is the only realistic protection.
Does a personal watercraft like a Sea-Doo or jet ski need its own policy?
Yes. Personal watercraft are usually rated separately from inboard or outboard pleasure craft because their loss patterns are different — higher theft, higher liability exposure, more frequent at-fault collisions. Most carriers will write them under a watercraft policy, sometimes with a stand-alone form. Bundling with your home or auto often unlocks a multi-line discount.
Does my cottage boat insurance cover storage at the marina or shore?
A proper watercraft policy includes seasonal storage coverage for the months your boat is winterized on land or at a marina. Limits and conditions vary by carrier — some require a covered storage building, others accept tarped outdoor storage. We confirm the storage terms before binding so there is no gap when you take the boat out next spring.
What about boating into Lake of the Woods or US waters?
Most Canadian watercraft policies include territorial coverage for the United States and inland waters of Canada within a defined distance from shore. Lake of the Woods straddles the Manitoba, Ontario and US borders, so we confirm your policy's territorial limits before the season. If you cruise the Great Lakes or coastal waters, the territory needs to be extended explicitly.
Does watercraft insurance cover the trailer too?
Sometimes — and usually only by endorsement. Most boat policies cover the hull, motor, and built-in equipment, but the trailer is treated separately. Some carriers include it automatically, others require it to be added with its own limit. We confirm coverage on the trailer because a stolen or damaged boat trailer is a common claim and an easy gap to miss.
What if I lend my boat to a friend or family member?
Permissive use is allowed under most Canadian watercraft policies, but the rules vary. The boat is generally covered when operated by anyone with your permission and a valid licence, but coverage can change if the operator lives in your household, charges for a trip, or has their own at-fault history. We walk through who actually uses the boat before placing the policy.
How much does pontoon or boat insurance cost in Manitoba?
For most pleasure craft used on Manitoba lakes, watercraft insurance typically runs a few hundred dollars per season, depending on the boat's value, horsepower, your boating experience, and the limits you choose. High-horsepower performance boats and personal watercraft cost more. We quote multiple carriers because the same boat can come in at very different prices across the market.
Can I bundle watercraft insurance with my home or auto policy?
Often yes. Several Canadian carriers offer multi-line discounts when watercraft is added to an existing home or auto policy with the same insurer, and the bundle is sometimes cheaper than a stand-alone boat policy. We shop both options at every quote so you can compare the actual numbers.

Want to get the boat properly covered before launch day?

A short conversation is enough to know what your current policy actually covers — and what it does not.

Talk to a broker