Broker vs Direct
Compare Jet Ski Insurance
There are two ways to get your watercraft insured — go direct to an insurer, or use a specialist broker. Here is what each actually delivers.
Use a Specialist Broker
We connect jet ski and personal watercraft owners with specialist marine brokers who give honest, no-obligation advice on the right policy for their craft and usage. No hard sell — just a broker who knows the marine market and takes the time to understand your needs.
- Access to multiple marine underwriters, not just one insurer
- Independent advice tailored to your craft, usage, and budget
- Full claims advocacy if a dispute or complication arises
- Agreed value, specialist wordings, and non-standard craft covered
- Experienced brokers who understand wave skis, modified and racing craft
Why it matters
A broker accesses multiple underwriters — so if one insurer is priced higher or excludes your use case, they move to the next. No single insurer can do that.
No hard sales pitch
Honest advice on whether cover is right for you. If the direct option is genuinely better for your situation, a good broker will tell you.
Full Feature Comparison
See how the specialist broker option compares to the direct insurers currently offering jet ski cover in New Zealand.
| Feature | Specialist Broker Recommended | Mariner Marine | Tower Insurance | AMI Insurance | State Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jet Ski / PWC Covered | All brands and types | Major brands with NZ dealer support | Explicitly covered | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Third-Party Liability | Multiple options available | $10M standard | $5M marina liability | Included — limit not publicly stated | Included — limit not publicly stated |
| Trailer Cover | Available | Included or optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Agreed Value Option | Available | Available | Available (market or agreed value) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| New-for-Old Replacement | Available | Available on newer craft | 3-year new-for-old | Not confirmed | Not confirmed |
| Claims Advocacy | |||||
| Specialist Marine | |||||
| Market Access | Multiple underwriters | Single insurer | Single insurer | Single insurer | Single insurer |
| Quote Method | Broker calls back same day | Online — 2–4 minutes | Online available | Online available | Online available |
| Get a Quote | Get a Broker Quote | Direct Only | Direct Only | Direct Only | Direct Only |
Information correct as at August 2026 based on publicly available policy wordings and insurer websites. Policy terms change; always confirm current terms directly with the insurer or your adviser before making any decision. We may be rewarded commercially when you obtain insurance through our referral service.
Direct Insurer Options
These insurers offer watercraft cover you can access directly. Each has limitations worth understanding before you commit.
Mariner Marine
Mariner Marine is a specialist NZ marine insurer. Jet ski and personal watercraft cover is a core product — not an add-on — and their team i…
Tower Insurance
Coastguard's recommended boat insurer. Tower explicitly covers jet skis and personal watercraft and offers accidental loss at market or agre…
AMI Insurance
AMI Insurance provides boat and watercraft cover that extends to personal watercraft and jet skis. AMI is part of the IAG New Zealand group …
State Insurance
State Insurance is a member of the IAG New Zealand group offering watercraft cover that includes jet skis and personal watercraft. State has…
Why a Broker Outperforms Going Direct
The fundamental limitation of going direct to any single insurer is that you are constrained to their products, their pricing, and their underwriting approach. If that insurer does not view your particular craft or use case favourably, your options are limited. You can accept their terms, or start the process again with a different insurer.
A specialist marine insurance broker removes that constraint entirely. By maintaining relationships with multiple marine underwriters, a broker can assess your specific situation and approach the insurer most likely to provide the best combination of cover and value. For standard recreational models, the difference may be modest. For high-performance craft, modified vessels, fishing-configured jet skis, or unusual usage patterns, the broker advantage can be substantial.
Product knowledge is the other critical differentiator. A general insurer is designed to fit most customers into a standard product configuration. Specialist marine brokers understand the nuances of agreed versus market value, geographic coverage limits, lay-up cover, and how competition or commercial use exclusions operate in practice.
Claims advocacy is perhaps the least visible but most important benefit. When a significant claim arises, the dynamic between a direct policyholder and their insurer is inherently one-sided. The insurer has internal expertise and financial incentives to settle at the lowest appropriate level. A broker brings advocacy experience and ongoing insurer relationships to disputes that would otherwise be difficult for an individual to navigate.
Annual renewal management is another area where brokers consistently add value. A direct insurer may increase your renewal premium knowing that most policyholders will not bother to seek alternatives. A broker who monitors the market annually can identify when a renewal has moved out of line with available alternatives and seek better terms proactively.
The referral model used by this site connects jet ski owners with the specialist marine brokers best placed to serve their needs. One form, one honest conversation, and access to a market that no single direct insurer can replicate.
Talk to a Specialist Broker
No obligation. Our marine brokers search options across the market for your craft and will be in touch within one business day.
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