Marine Carpentry Insurance In Florida

Marine carpentry is a specialized trade that carries a unique set of risks that go beyond standard land-based carpentry. In Florida, with its extensive coastline and waterways, having the right insurance is not just a good idea—it’s often a legal requirement and essential for protecting your business.

A standard commercial general liability (CGL) policy is typically insufficient for marine carpenters. These policies often have “watercraft” exclusions or limitations on work performed on or near the water, which would leave you exposed if an incident occurs while you’re working on a boat, dock, or other marine structure.

Here’s a breakdown of the key types of insurance a marine carpenter in Florida should consider:

1. Marine General Liability (MGL)

This is the cornerstone of your insurance program. Unlike a standard CGL, an MGL policy is specifically designed to cover risks associated with working on or around navigable waters. It protects you against claims for:

Bodily injury: If a client, a visitor, or even a bystander is injured on a job site (e.g., tripping on a loose board on a dock you’re repairing).
Property damage: If you accidentally damage a client’s property, such as their boat, dock, or seawall.
Products and completed operations: This is crucial. It covers you if damage or injury occurs after your work is completed, such as a handrail on a boat breaking and causing an injury weeks after you finished the job.
Care, Custody, and Control (CCC) Coverage: This is a vital component of MGL. While standard CGL policies often exclude damage to property in your care, an MGL policy can specifically cover non-owned vessels, equipment, or property you are working on.

2. Workers’ Compensation

If you have employees, workers’ compensation is a legal requirement in Florida. However, for a marine carpentry business, the situation is more complex due to federal maritime laws.

Florida Workers’ Compensation: This covers injuries that occur on land, such as an employee getting hurt while loading materials at your shop or in a vehicle.

3. Commercial Hull & Protection and Indemnity (P&I)

If your business owns or operates any vessels (e.g., workboats, barges, or tugs) to transport materials or personnel to a job site, you’ll need this coverage.

Commercial Hull Insurance: This policy covers physical damage to your own vessels, including the hull, machinery, and equipment, from perils like collision, sinking, or severe weather.
Protection and Indemnity (P&I): This is the marine equivalent of auto liability. It covers your legal liability for things like bodily injury to crew or passengers, damage to other vessels or property (like a dock or bridge), and pollution.

4. Other Important Coverages

Inland Marine Insurance: This policy, despite the name, has nothing to do with the ocean. It’s a type of property insurance that covers your tools, equipment, and materials while they are in transit, at a job site, or stored in a location other than your primary place of business.
Commercial Auto Insurance: This is necessary for any vehicles your business uses to transport tools, materials, or people to job sites.

Finding the Right Insurance

Given the complexity of marine carpentry insurance, it’s highly recommended to work with an independent insurance agent who specializes in the marine contracting industry in Florida. They can help you:

Assess your specific risks and needs.
Bundle the necessary coverages into a comprehensive and affordable package.
Ensure you are compliant with all state and federal regulations, which is often required to bid on projects.

We Insure all counties Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie, Levy, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Brevard, Volusia, Flagler, St. Johns, Duval, and Nassau.

Call Dorsal Insurance today for a quote (786) 601-2485