Question 1

What's marine artisan contractors liability?

Accepted Answer

Marine artisan contractors liability is a specialty version of commercial general liability written specifically for marine trades. It covers operations and completed-work exposures unique to marine work — installation defects in hull repair, paint and bottom-job failures, electrical work on vessels in service, custom-rigging issues. Standard contractor liability typically excludes marine work; marine artisan contractors fills the gap. Required coverage for any business doing repair, installation, or modification work on customer vessels.

Question 2

Is hot work covered?

Accepted Answer

Hot work — welding, cutting, grinding, soldering — is one of the highest-risk activities in marine trades and the leading cause of major boatyard fires. Marine trades policies cover hot work but typically require documented hot-work permit procedures, fire-watch protocols, and adequate fire suppression. Carriers may impose sublimits or surcharges for hot work in confined spaces or near fueling operations. Failing to follow hot-work procedures can void coverage on resulting fire claims.

Question 3

Does marine trades cover the customer's vessel during repair?

Accepted Answer

Yes — that's a primary coverage line. Customer vessel care, custody, and control coverage extends to vessels in your possession for repair, modification, or service work. Coverage typically includes physical damage from repair operations (dropped tools, fire, paint contamination) and pre-existing-condition coverage for damage discovered during work. Boat builders' risk extends similar protection to vessels under construction in the yard. Limits should match the highest-value vessel ever in your care, plus a reserve.

Question 4

What about surveyors and inspectors?

Accepted Answer

Marine surveyors face professional liability E&O for their inspection reports and recommendations — claims typically arise when a buyer relies on a survey report and later discovers damage or defects the surveyor missed. Surveyors don't typically carry standard marine trades coverage; they need dedicated marine surveyor professional liability with appropriate retroactive dates and tail provisions. Pre-purchase surveys, insurance surveys, and damage surveys all carry distinct exposure profiles.

Question 5

Are divers and underwater service providers covered?

Accepted Answer

Diving operations require specialty marine trades coverage including hyperbaric injury liability (decompression sickness from improper diving procedures), commercial diving operations coverage, and Jones Act crew coverage for diving employees. Standard marine trades policies often exclude commercial diving operations or impose restrictions on dive depth and operations. Independent commercial divers, hull-cleaning services, and underwater repair specialists need specialized program design with diving-trained underwriters.

Question 6

How is marine trades insurance priced?

Accepted Answer

Premium is driven by trade type (hot-work-heavy operations are most expensive, services like canvas and upholstery are less), revenue, value of customer vessels in care, employee count, prior loss history, and operational location. Florida marine trades operations typically run $5K–$50K+ depending on scale and trade mix. South Florida mega-yacht refit operations frequently pay six-figure annual premiums. Documented safety procedures and apprenticeship programs reduce premium meaningfully.

Question 7

Do I need this if I only work on small boats?

Accepted Answer

Yes — even small-boat repair operations face the same fundamental exposures: customer vessel in care, premises liability, employee injury, and trade-specific operational risk. Limits scale with vessel value, but the architecture is the same. Small-boat trades typically pay lower premiums but should not skip core coverage like marine artisan contractors liability. A single $50K customer claim from improper service can wipe out years of profit for a small operator.

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