What does a Commercial Marine Insurance policy cover?
- Ship Repairs Legal Liability (SRLL) – it is necessary to protect your business with an insurance policy up to $1,000,000 liability limit for damages accidentally caused to your customers’ watercraft and its equipment, cargo, or any other interest on board a ship. This type of coverage transpires when your customers’ watercraft is in your care, custody, and control, for the purpose of altering or repairing the vessel at the shipyard, marina, at sea, or at any other locations outside the Country. Ship-repairer Legal Liability is a specialty coverage required to have for marine artisans.
- Marine General Liability (MGL) – protects your company against any bodily injury and property damage accidentally act out by your employees to your customers or to a third party, while they are working on board or alongside the vessel in any port or facility in the USA as well as Worldwide.
- Marine Contractor Liability - protects your company against property damage to docks, piers, wharves, breakwaters, bridges and other marine structures, watercraft and equipment, cargo, and other interests on board, occurring while such property/watercraft is in the care, custody or control of you for the purpose of repair or alteration by or on behalf of you or in the care, custody or control of you during salvage, wreck removal, or other such similar operations. Marine Contractors Liability is a specialty coverage required to have for marine contractors.
- Marine Protection & Indemnity (P&I) – such coverage can be added to protect your business from loss of life or bodily injury to your employees onboard your ship.
- Traveling Workmen – this endorsement extends the liability coverage whenever your employees are working on board or alongside the vessel at any port or facility inside and outside the country, for the purpose to complete repairs and alterations of the ship assigned to you.
- Marine Pollution Liability – protect your business against any discharge, release or escape of any smoke, toxic chemicals, liquids or gasses into land, atmosphere or body of water, accidentally caused by the finished work of your employees.
- Blanket Additional Insured – this endorsement is required if you do work on numerous commercial ships or marinas in Florida.
- Waiver of Subrogation – it is requested by many marinas in Florida, therefore, an endorsement is added to your policy, to waive the subrogation process by your Insurance company against the marinas.
- Marine Contractors Tools and Equipment – it cover your tools during transit, normally up to $10,000 policy limit. However, if you need to insure more expensive tools, it is required to submit a list of all schedule items along with the serial number and the value per item.
United States Longshore and Harbor Workers Coverage (USL&H)
Where Does The USL&H Act Apply?
For a claim to be within the jurisdiction of the USL&H Act, the accident must have occurred on or adjacent to navigable waters of the United States. This is often referred to as meeting the “situs test.”
Who is Subject to the USL&H Act?
Employers who have employees engaged in full or part-time maritime employment are subject to the USL&H Act. The term “employee” means any person engaged in maritime employment, including any longshoreman or other person engaged in long-shoring operations, and any harbor worker including a ship repairman, shipbuilder, and ship-breaker. Generally, the following types of employees are excluded if they are covered by a state workers’ compensation law:
Possible USL&H Maritime Employments
The USL&H Act provides workers’ compensation coverage to land-based maritime employees, while the Jones Act provides tort remedies to sea-based maritime workers. There are many additional situations involving possible coverage under the USL&H Act. Some of the more frequent are:
Casual visitors on vessels: Casual business visitors are generally subject to state workers’ compensation laws. Other visitors, employed by a maritime employer, who make frequent trips to vessels or maritime sites to transact business may be covered by the USL&H Act. These include:
Dredging operations: Historically, injuries to persons employed in dredging operations have been compensable under the USL&H Act when such operations are carried out in navigable waters. However, under certain circumstances, injured workers may be able to pursue Jones Act remedies when dredging is conducted from a vessel in navigation.
Maritime construction: Injuries to persons employed in marine construction are generally compensable under the USL&H Act when such construction is conducted upon, or adjacent to, navigable waters. This includes the construction of piers, bulkheads, breakwaters, and other structures over water. However, Jones Act remedies may be available for injuries sustained while working from a vessel, work platform, barge or dredge.
Jones Act
What is Jones Act coverage?
Federal coverage for seaman in the service of a vessel.
Who is eligible for Jones Act coverage?
Captain and crew of a owned vessel. Owner of the vessel is not a covered class.
What are the benefits?
Typically 3 times the benefits as under state workers compensation.
Can I cover my employees under my workers compensation policy for this exposure?
No as the workers compensation policy excludes coverage for this class of employee.
Where and how do I obtain Jones Act coverage?
It is typically written on the hull protection and indemnity policy.
How is rate determined?
Typically the premium is based on the number of crew.
Typical exposures?
Dredge operation employees in service to dredge, dock contractors employees on barge, Charter Boat captain and crew, party boat captain and crew and seaman on large or small vessels such as tugs and freighters.
Maritime Employers Liability Insurance (MEL)
What is MEL coverage?
MEL covers employees on someone else’s vessels. Small or large, oil rig, yacht, barge, or cruise ship, there is liability for employees when placed aboard other vessels even though the insured is not the owner or operator of that vessel. MEL also covers employees who are temporarily on board one of your client’s own vessels. For example, a marine construction company may have a full-time captain who is covered under its P&I policy, but also employs some land-based employees who work on board vessels part of the time. An example might be your shipyard has repaired a vessel and you had to temporally place an employee on board this vessel for sea trials.
Target Classes
Underwriting Considerations:
Contact us to learn more about the right commercial marine insurance for you.
Where Does The USL&H Act Apply?
For a claim to be within the jurisdiction of the USL&H Act, the accident must have occurred on or adjacent to navigable waters of the United States. This is often referred to as meeting the “situs test.”
- “Navigable waters” are those which are (i) either subject to the ebb and flow of the tide, or (ii) currently used, previously used, or have the potential to be used, to transport interstate commerce or foreign commerce. Generally, these are oceans and bays, plus certain lakes and rivers.
- “Adjacent to the water” means on any pier, wharf, dry dock, terminal, building way, marine railway, or any adjoining other area customarily used in the loading, unloading, building, repairing, or dismantling of a vessel.
- No distinct boundary exists determining where state act coverage ends and longshore coverage begins. Rather, the employee’s job duties determine the appropriate jurisdiction.
Who is Subject to the USL&H Act?
Employers who have employees engaged in full or part-time maritime employment are subject to the USL&H Act. The term “employee” means any person engaged in maritime employment, including any longshoreman or other person engaged in long-shoring operations, and any harbor worker including a ship repairman, shipbuilder, and ship-breaker. Generally, the following types of employees are excluded if they are covered by a state workers’ compensation law:
- Individuals employed exclusively to perform office clerical, secretarial, security, or data processing work
- Individuals employed by a club, camp, recreational operation, restaurant, museum, or retail outlet
- Individuals employed by a marina and who are not engaged in construction, replacement, or expansion of such marina (except for routine maintenance)
- Individuals who (i) are employed by suppliers, transporters, or vendors, (ii) are temporarily doing business on the premises of a maritime employer, and (iii) are not engaged in work normally performed by employees of that employer under the Act
- Aquaculture workers
- Individuals employed to: i. build any recreational vessel under sixty- five feet in length; ii. repair any recreational vessel under sixty-five feet in length; or iii. dismantle any part of a recreational vessel under sixty-five feet in length in connection with the repair of such vessel
- A master or member of a crew of any vessel
- Any person engaged by a master to load or unload or repair any small vessel under eighteen tons net.
- Essentially all companies involved in waterfront activities involving interstate commerce facilitated along navigable waters. Typically marinas are exempt from this coverage. Companies which would have exposure, shipyards, boatyards repairing commercial vessels, dredge and dock contractors, electricians, plumbers repairing docks. Dry stack and marina contractors.
Possible USL&H Maritime Employments
The USL&H Act provides workers’ compensation coverage to land-based maritime employees, while the Jones Act provides tort remedies to sea-based maritime workers. There are many additional situations involving possible coverage under the USL&H Act. Some of the more frequent are:
Casual visitors on vessels: Casual business visitors are generally subject to state workers’ compensation laws. Other visitors, employed by a maritime employer, who make frequent trips to vessels or maritime sites to transact business may be covered by the USL&H Act. These include:
- Representatives of longshoremen’s union
- Employees of customhouse brokers
- Insurance adjusters
- Cargo handlers
- Steamship company employees
Dredging operations: Historically, injuries to persons employed in dredging operations have been compensable under the USL&H Act when such operations are carried out in navigable waters. However, under certain circumstances, injured workers may be able to pursue Jones Act remedies when dredging is conducted from a vessel in navigation.
Maritime construction: Injuries to persons employed in marine construction are generally compensable under the USL&H Act when such construction is conducted upon, or adjacent to, navigable waters. This includes the construction of piers, bulkheads, breakwaters, and other structures over water. However, Jones Act remedies may be available for injuries sustained while working from a vessel, work platform, barge or dredge.
Jones Act
What is Jones Act coverage?
Federal coverage for seaman in the service of a vessel.
Who is eligible for Jones Act coverage?
Captain and crew of a owned vessel. Owner of the vessel is not a covered class.
What are the benefits?
Typically 3 times the benefits as under state workers compensation.
Can I cover my employees under my workers compensation policy for this exposure?
No as the workers compensation policy excludes coverage for this class of employee.
Where and how do I obtain Jones Act coverage?
It is typically written on the hull protection and indemnity policy.
How is rate determined?
Typically the premium is based on the number of crew.
Typical exposures?
Dredge operation employees in service to dredge, dock contractors employees on barge, Charter Boat captain and crew, party boat captain and crew and seaman on large or small vessels such as tugs and freighters.
Maritime Employers Liability Insurance (MEL)
What is MEL coverage?
MEL covers employees on someone else’s vessels. Small or large, oil rig, yacht, barge, or cruise ship, there is liability for employees when placed aboard other vessels even though the insured is not the owner or operator of that vessel. MEL also covers employees who are temporarily on board one of your client’s own vessels. For example, a marine construction company may have a full-time captain who is covered under its P&I policy, but also employs some land-based employees who work on board vessels part of the time. An example might be your shipyard has repaired a vessel and you had to temporally place an employee on board this vessel for sea trials.
Target Classes
- Marine Construction
- Drilling Work
- Seismic Survey Work
- Scientific Research & Survey Work
- Artisan Contractors Working Onboard Vessels While Underway
- Marine Construction
- Drilling Work
- Seismic Survey Work
- Scientific Research & Survey Work
- Artisan Contractors Working Onboard Vessels While Underway
Underwriting Considerations:
- Nature, location and duration of work being performed
- Receipts, payroll and payroll estimates for USL&H and Jones Act exposures
- Average and maximum number of employees exposed at any one time
- Claims history
Contact us to learn more about the right commercial marine insurance for you.
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Ocean Cargo
Marine cargo insurance helps cover physical loss or damage to goods during international transit and can also extend to cover inland transit shipments and goods in storage. International trade and shipping touches virtually every industry — so transporting cargo safely is critical to help keep business running smoothly. That’s why businesses with owned cargo, from retailers and manufacturers to distributors and importer/exporters, need tailored insurance solutions to help protect goods in transit, from warehouse to warehouse worldwide. Our ocean marine cargo coverage offers broad protection for cargo and the business owners responsible for it. |
Protecting your cargo from risks such as fire and theft as it travels from one location to another, whether by ship, aircraft, or railcar, is critical to maintaining business operations. Our worldwide ocean marine cargo coverage helps cover physical loss or damage to goods that are in transit, including additional coverages such as Domestic Transit and Warehouse Storage. Coverage highlights include:
- Capacity up to $100M
- Multiyear policy options with additional premium savings
- Flat, nonauditable premiums
- Broad, warehouse-to-warehouse coverage
- Coverage for inland transit or warehouse storage
- International policy issuance capabilities
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Marine Artisan
We have several programs designed to cover marine artisans, which are individuals or small businesses involved in boat maintenance, service and repair. All need marine artisan insurance coverage. Typically, they will work at the vessels location in marinas or yards owned by others, work on private pleasure or small commercial watercraft and have gross receipts of $3,00,000 per year or less and at least 80% of their annual gross receipts are derived from one or more of the trades listed below. Trade examples include the following businesses:
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Key coverage highlights:
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Marine Contractor
We have several programs designed to cover marine contractors, which are individuals or small businesses involved in marine structure maintenance, service and repair. All need marine contractor insurance coverage. Typically, they will work at a marina or boatyard owned by others, work on private or small commercial marine structures and have gross receipts of $3,000,000 per year or less and at least 80% of their annual gross receipts are derived from one or more of the trades listed below. Trade examples include the following businesses:
Key coverage highlights:
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The owners of these businesses need two different types of liability insurance to cover their exposures.
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Boat Dealers & Brokers
Boat dealers have numerous liability exposures from which they must protect themselves. Your liability to the public is likely the area that is of greatest concern. Customers can be injured while on your premises, your docks or while going on demo rides. In addition, your exposure continues for many years after your customers take their boat home. If they or someone else are injured by your product or the work of you service department, you could be held liable for the injuries.
A dealer may also have auto liability exposures, employment liability exposures, and pollution exposures. A dealer also needs boat broker insurance to protect both the property they own and the property of others against loss. In many cases your own inventory is your biggest asset and must be protected from a loss. Because inventory values can fluctuate greatly, they can be covered on a monthly reporting form, which means you will only pay premium for the exact value of your inventory. You may also need to cover buildings you own, contents, docks, vehicles, owned vessels and various equipment.
While the exposures are numerous, many insurance companies offer boat dealers package policies which will tie all the necessary coverage’s together in a single, cost effective policy. Packages include but are not limited to the following: Commercial General Liability, Dealers Inventory, Bailee Coverage, Commercial Property, Commercial Auto, Piers, Wharves, and Docks, Marina Operators Legal Liability, Longshore and Harbor Workers, Owned vessel coverage, Protection & Indemnity, Profession Liability, Pollution and Bumbershoot Coverage.
Boat dealers have numerous liability exposures from which they must protect themselves. Your liability to the public is likely the area that is of greatest concern. Customers can be injured while on your premises, your docks or while going on demo rides. In addition, your exposure continues for many years after your customers take their boat home. If they or someone else are injured by your product or the work of you service department, you could be held liable for the injuries.
A dealer may also have auto liability exposures, employment liability exposures, and pollution exposures. A dealer also needs boat broker insurance to protect both the property they own and the property of others against loss. In many cases your own inventory is your biggest asset and must be protected from a loss. Because inventory values can fluctuate greatly, they can be covered on a monthly reporting form, which means you will only pay premium for the exact value of your inventory. You may also need to cover buildings you own, contents, docks, vehicles, owned vessels and various equipment.
While the exposures are numerous, many insurance companies offer boat dealers package policies which will tie all the necessary coverage’s together in a single, cost effective policy. Packages include but are not limited to the following: Commercial General Liability, Dealers Inventory, Bailee Coverage, Commercial Property, Commercial Auto, Piers, Wharves, and Docks, Marina Operators Legal Liability, Longshore and Harbor Workers, Owned vessel coverage, Protection & Indemnity, Profession Liability, Pollution and Bumbershoot Coverage.
Marina Operators and Boat Yards
Marina owner’s face many exposures and need several different forms of insurance. Among these are a potential for loss to their docks, piers, bulkheads, buildings and contents from a variety of Hazards. In addition, they face numerous liability exposures, such as liability from injury to the public, customers and visitors. The marina also has a duty and responsibility to provide a safe and secure mooring and may be held responsible for damage to customer’s boats that are in its care custody and control.
A marina may also have commercial auto exposures, owned vessel exposures, employer’s liability exposures and pollution exposures, just to mention a few. While the exposures are numerous, many insurance companies offer marina insurance package policies which will tie all the necessary coverage’s together in a single, cost effective policy. Packages include but are not limited to the following: Commercial General Liability, Dealers Inventory, Bailee Coverage, Commercial Property, Commercial Auto, Piers, Wharves, and Docks, Marina Operators Legal Liability, Longshore and Harbor Workers, Owned vessel coverage, Protection & Indemnity, Profession Liability, Pollution and Bumbershoot Coverage.
Marina owner’s face many exposures and need several different forms of insurance. Among these are a potential for loss to their docks, piers, bulkheads, buildings and contents from a variety of Hazards. In addition, they face numerous liability exposures, such as liability from injury to the public, customers and visitors. The marina also has a duty and responsibility to provide a safe and secure mooring and may be held responsible for damage to customer’s boats that are in its care custody and control.
A marina may also have commercial auto exposures, owned vessel exposures, employer’s liability exposures and pollution exposures, just to mention a few. While the exposures are numerous, many insurance companies offer marina insurance package policies which will tie all the necessary coverage’s together in a single, cost effective policy. Packages include but are not limited to the following: Commercial General Liability, Dealers Inventory, Bailee Coverage, Commercial Property, Commercial Auto, Piers, Wharves, and Docks, Marina Operators Legal Liability, Longshore and Harbor Workers, Owned vessel coverage, Protection & Indemnity, Profession Liability, Pollution and Bumbershoot Coverage.
Marine hull, P&I, and builder’s risk
Our marine hull and protection and indemnity (P&I) can help cover accidental loss or damage to vessels on the water or at the dock. Today’s maritime industry faces its own unique challenges. Vessel owners need the right risk-management solutions to help protect vessels wherever they are.
The super-specialized world of marine vessel ownership requires expert protection. Our marine hull and P&I solutions help safeguard shipyards, workboats, research or passenger vessels, tugs, coastal tankers, and more. Our coverages include:
Our marine hull and protection and indemnity (P&I) can help cover accidental loss or damage to vessels on the water or at the dock. Today’s maritime industry faces its own unique challenges. Vessel owners need the right risk-management solutions to help protect vessels wherever they are.
The super-specialized world of marine vessel ownership requires expert protection. Our marine hull and P&I solutions help safeguard shipyards, workboats, research or passenger vessels, tugs, coastal tankers, and more. Our coverages include:
- Marine hull insurance. This coverage helps cover physical loss or damage to vessels at the dock, during trips, or while operating.
- Marine protection and indemnity insurance. This solution helps cover third-party liabilities arising out of the operations of the vessel. Coverage can be also be extended to include Jones Act coverage providing protection for bodily injury to crew members.
- Hull, $15M capacity
- Optional P&I, including crew liability, available with hull coverage, $1M capacity
- Policy forms and coverages tailored to specific needs
- Multiline capabilities
- Annual and multiyear policy options
Boat Builders
Our builder's risk coverages can help cover accidental loss or damage to ships under construction. Today’s maritime industry faces its own unique challenges. Shipbuilders need the right risk-management solutions to help protect vessels wherever they are.
The super-specialized world of shipbuilding requires expert protection. Our builder’s risk solutions help safeguard shipyards, workboats, research or passenger vessels, tugs, coastal tankers, and more. Our coverages include:
In addition to builders’ risk, a builder will need General Liability, Products Liability and may need various property coverage’s, commercial auto coverage’s, inland marine coverage’s, pollution coverage, and employers’ liability coverage. The various aspect of insuring a builder are too numerous to discuss on this page, however; we help builders assess the full range of their needs and assist in placing its coverage with one of several companies that focus on insuring builders.
Our builder's risk coverages can help cover accidental loss or damage to ships under construction. Today’s maritime industry faces its own unique challenges. Shipbuilders need the right risk-management solutions to help protect vessels wherever they are.
The super-specialized world of shipbuilding requires expert protection. Our builder’s risk solutions help safeguard shipyards, workboats, research or passenger vessels, tugs, coastal tankers, and more. Our coverages include:
- Marine builder’s risk insurance. This solution provides coverage for the shipyard or vessel owner for loss or damage of vessels during the course of construction.
- Marine builder’s risk, $25M capacity
In addition to builders’ risk, a builder will need General Liability, Products Liability and may need various property coverage’s, commercial auto coverage’s, inland marine coverage’s, pollution coverage, and employers’ liability coverage. The various aspect of insuring a builder are too numerous to discuss on this page, however; we help builders assess the full range of their needs and assist in placing its coverage with one of several companies that focus on insuring builders.