Scored 5/10 on whether it helps or hurts everyday people.
The Liability Insurance Bill
Boaters must buy $50k liability insurance in South Carolina
Watercraft
Mixed: some good, some bad ·
If passed, owners of boats 16 feet or longer must carry at least $50,000 liability insurance, or face fines and possible jail.
Our take
What we think, in plain words.
The bill would protect people on the water by making sure boat owners can pay damages, but it also adds a new cost for boat owners and could punish them harshly if they forget to keep insurance.
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The facts
What the bill actually says, no spin.
- Owners of watercraft 16 feet or longer must have liability insurance of at least $50,000 per incident.
- Proof of insurance can be shown on a phone or other device.
- Failure to have insurance is a misdemeanor with fines from $50 to $1,000 and possible jail up to one year.
- Fines collected go to the state’s general fund for a boater safety program.
- Insurance companies are not required to notify the state of lapses.
In the news
Scanning the news for this bill…
Headlines gathered from across the news, starting points to explore, not endorsements. Always read the official text before acting.
Sources
Read it yourself: the official bill and records.
This bill is in the South Carolina Bill Book 2026
The best and worst South Carolina bills of 2026, one page each — our take on the left, the bill on the right, and room for your notes. No email needed.
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