Koosh Insurance · Aviation & Transportation

    Marine — Commercial

    The cargo claim that follows the load from origin to consignee. The vessel that went aground three miles outside the territorial waters covered by the policy. The crew injury at sea where workers' comp doesn't apply — Jones Act does. Commercial marine is a specialty market governed by federal admiralty law, separate insurance forms, and underwriting that has nothing to do with property and casualty.

    See what's covered

    Coverage

    What this coverage includes

    • Hull insurance for the vessel itself, on a stated value basis
    • Protection & Indemnity (P&I) — the marine equivalent of general liability and crew injury coverage
    • Cargo insurance for goods in transit by water
    • Marine general liability for shore-side operations
    • Pollution liability under specific marine forms (CLC, OPA-90 for vessels carrying oil)
    • Charterer's liability for operators chartering vessels they don't own
    • Wharfingers and stevedores liability for shoreside cargo handling
    • Jones Act / USL&H coverage for crew injury under federal maritime statutes

    Who Buys This

    Who typically buys this coverage

    • Commercial vessel owners — fishing, towing, charter, ferry, supply, work boats
    • Yacht owners with charter operations or commercial use
    • Cargo shippers and consignees with significant water-based shipments
    • Freight forwarders and customs brokers with cargo exposure
    • Marina and boatyard operators
    • Charter operators running passenger or fishing vessels
    • Commercial fishing operations
    • Maritime contractors — marine construction, dredging, salvage

    Why Koosh

    Why Koosh Insurance

    Commercial marine is one of the most specialized commercial classes — federal jurisdiction, century-old policy forms, and a small market of dedicated marine carriers. Generalist placement leaves coverage gaps that don't surface until the claim hits. Admiralty law has been writing the rules for centuries. The policy you carry has to know what they say.

    Marine specialty market access — Lloyd's syndicates, P&I clubs, and US marine carriers that work this class daily.

    Hull, P&I, and cargo coordination — the three foundational lines and they have to work together.

    Jones Act / USL&H structuring — federal maritime statutes handled correctly, not as commercial WC afterthought.

    Pollution coverage for vessels — CLC, OPA-90, and voluntary pollution all addressed where applicable.

    Charter and contractual exposure — charterer's liability and contractual indemnity sized to actual contract terms.

    International coordination — navigation territory and jurisdiction-specific compliance for cross-border operations.

    FAQ

    Frequently asked questions

    Federal admiralty jurisdiction and centuries of maritime law treat vessels as a different legal class. Marine policies use marine-specific forms (Hull & Machinery, P&I, Cargo) rather than ISO commercial forms, and the carriers that write them are often marine specialists.

    P&I is the marine equivalent of general liability — third-party bodily injury and property damage from vessel operations — combined with crew injury and illness coverage under maritime statutes. It's typically written by P&I clubs (mutual associations) or specialty marine carriers.

    Depends on the contract terms (Incoterms) and who has insurable interest. Carriers under bills of lading have liability for cargo loss; cargo owners often carry their own cargo insurance regardless. We structure to match the actual contractual obligations.

    Crew of vessels are not covered by traditional workers' compensation. They're protected by federal maritime law — the Jones Act for negligence-based claims and general maritime law for maintenance and cure. P&I coverage handles crew injury exposure. USL&H (Longshore and Harbor Workers') covers shoreside maritime workers.

    Marine warranties are conditions that must be met for coverage to apply — vessel class, crew certification, navigation territory, lay-up period. Breach of warranty can void coverage, sometimes back to inception. Marine warranties are stricter than typical insurance conditions.

    Marine policies typically include broad navigation territories but exclude specific regions (war zones, sanctioned waters, certain piracy areas). International routes also trigger specific liability requirements (CLC for oil pollution, MLC for crew protection). We map territory carefully.

    Related

    Related services

    Jet & Aircraft

    Insurance for private jets and commercial aircraft.

    Aircraft Hangars

    Hangar property damage, liability, and operational hazards.

    Pilots & Staff

    Coverage for pilots and aviation personnel.

    This page provides general information about Marine — Commercial insurance and is not a substitute for tailored advice from a licensed insurance broker. Coverage availability, terms, exclusions, and pricing depend on your specific business operations, location, claims history, and carrier underwriting. Contact a Koosh Insurance broker for a personalized consultation. Koosh Insurance — License #L135215.

    Get a quote for Marine — Commercial

    Talk to a licensed Koosh broker. We'll review your specific situation, source quotes from appropriate carriers, and walk you through the coverage that actually fits your business.

    (954) 309-3900
    service@koosh-ins.com
    4491 S State Rd 7, Suite 202, Davie, FL 33314