Boat Buying & Ownership

Extended Boat Warranties: What Every Boat Owner Should Know Before You Buy

Explore extended boat warranty options from Seattle Boat Company. Learn how Brunswick Passport Premier helps protect your boat beyond the manufacturer's warranty.


At Seattle Boat Company, we have an extended warranty plan that customers can add on during the closing of the sale of their boat, or anytime after the sale of the boat.

If your boat is within the 5-year manufacturer warranty period, the boat is considered “new” and you can add 5, 6, or 7 years of coverage. The coverage runs concurrently with the manufacturer's warranty, so it is technically 1, 2, or 3 years past the 5 years of manufacturer coverage.

For a boat that is no longer covered under manufacturer's warranty (whether it is beyond the 5-year window of coverage or it is a boat that was a part of our boat club), the boat is considered “used.” These boats are eligible for 1, 2, 3, or 4 years of coverage. A new boat could theoretically add up to 8 years of coverage when it is purchased, and then another up to 4 years can be added on once those 8 years expire.

Some things to note:

  • Purchase your extended warranty before your new boat is delivered and receive one full year of coverage at no additional cost.
  • Boats over 10 years old are not eligible for coverage.
  • Passport Premier is transferable. If you're purchasing a pre-owned boat, ask whether the previous owner purchased Passport Premier. Any remaining coverage can be transferred to the new owner, adding value for both buyers and sellers.
  • If your needs change, the warranty can be canceled at any time for a prorated refund.

Additional Coverage Options

Passport Premier offers two coverage options:

  • Engine Only
  • Engine + Accessories

Accessory coverage varies depending on your boat but can include items such as trailers, electronics, and other eligible components.

Each covered repair has a $25 deductible.

Service Assistance Benefits

Passport Premier also includes valuable service assistance benefits, including:

  • On-water towing (up to one hour of service or $125)
  • Hoist or lift-out assistance
  • Haul-out services
  • Dockside repair calls
  • Pick-up and delivery assistance

Limit of Liability

The limit of liability is the maximum amount the plan will pay in covered claims over the life of the contract.

Standard plans include:

  • $15,000 for engine coverage
  • $10,000 for accessory coverage

Engine coverage can be upgraded to $25,000 or $35,000 for an additional cost.

TotalCare Package

For owners looking for the most comprehensive protection available, Brunswick also offers the TotalCare package.

Available in six- or eight-year plans for eligible new boats, TotalCare provides "Bow to Stern" coverage. Rather than listing every covered component, the shorter list identifies what is not covered, offering broader overall protection.

Because of the expanded coverage, TotalCare must be purchased within the first 11 months of ownership and is available for new boats only.

Why Choose an extended warranty?

A manufacturer's warranty is designed to cover defects in materials or workmanship.

Brunswick Passport Premier goes a step further by covering many non-mechanical breakdowns, situations where an engine or component fails due to heat, operating conditions, or other covered circumstances rather than a manufacturing defect.

For even greater protection, the optional Wear Upgrade extends coverage to additional wear-related items, helping protect components that standard plans would not otherwise cover.

Examples of Non-Mechanical Breakdowns

Heat-related failures:

    • Overheating
    • Heat cracked heads
    • Warped heads
    • Heat cracked block
    • Heat collapsed rings

Combustion issues:

    • Preignition (fuel igniting too early)
    • Detonation

Resulting damage from those issues:

    • Burnt, bent, or tulip-shaped valves
    • Carbonized rings
    • Scored pistons
    • Scored cylinders

The biggest difference between a manufacturer warranty and Brunswick is that Brunswick will cover things that the manufacturer won’t. The manufacturer’s warranty is great, but Brunswick adds extra coverage, and therefore, extra peace of mind while out on the water

Real-World Examples of Covered Components

Some of the most common repairs we see include:

Electrical Systems

Electronic steering components, joystick systems, autopilot components, and sensors can be expensive to replace. Passport Premier helps cover many of these repairs.

Seals, Gaskets & Sterndrives

Seal and gasket failures can lead to extensive repairs, particularly on sterndrive boats where engine removal may be required. While some labor limitations may apply, much of the repair is covered.

Sterndrive gear failures can also be costly, making extended coverage especially valuable.

Inboard Components

Many inboard boats utilize V-drives and electronic control systems. Covered repairs may include seal and gasket failures, electrical controls, and control levers that can otherwise be expensive to replace.

Wear Upgrade

For approximately $200, the optional Wear Upgrade provides coverage for additional wear items, including worn seals, gaskets, and steering components. This is especially valuable for sterndrive owners and is a coverage option we frequently recommend.

Electronics & Accessories

Today's boats rely heavily on advanced electronics.

Common covered items include:

  • Multi-function displays
  • GPS and digital displays
  • Ballast pumps
  • Ballast bags
  • Surf actuators
  • Many accessory components affected by covered failures

For example, multi-function displays can cost several thousand dollars to replace, while surf actuators commonly cost around $1,600 without warranty coverage.

When an impeller failure causes damage to surrounding components, Passport Premier may also cover many of the resulting repairs that would otherwise become the owner's responsibility.

Protect Your Investment with Confidence

An extended warranty is about more than preparing for unexpected repairs. It's about protecting your investment and enjoying more time on the water with added confidence. If you're purchasing a new boat or want to explore coverage options for your current boat, our team is happy to walk you through the available plans, answer your questions, and help you choose the level of protection that best fits the way you boat. 

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