Marine Mechanic Insurance In Florida

Operating as a marine mechanic in Florida requires specialized insurance coverage to protect your business from the unique and significant risks of working on the water. Standard business insurance policies are almost always insufficient and will likely have exclusions for work performed on or around vessels.

Here’s a breakdown of the essential insurance types for a marine mechanic in Florida:

1. Marine General Liability (MGL)

This is the most critical policy for a marine mechanic. Unlike a standard Commercial General Liability (CGL) policy, an MGL policy is specifically designed for businesses working on the water. It protects you from third-party claims of bodily injury and property damage, and often includes:

Care, Custody, and Control (CCC): This is a key coverage for any marine mechanic. It covers damage to non-owned vessels, equipment, or property in your possession for service or repair. If you’re working on a client’s boat and accidentally drop a tool, causing damage to the hull, this coverage would apply.
Products and Completed Operations: This covers you if damage or injury occurs after you have completed the work. For example, if an engine repair you performed leads to a fire on the vessel a week later, this coverage would protect your business.
Premises Liability: Covers incidents that occur on your business premises, such as a client slipping and falling in your shop.

2. Workers’ Compensation

If you have employees, state-mandated workers’ compensation is required. However, due to federal maritime laws, this is not enough.

Florida Workers’ Compensation: This covers your employees for injuries that occur on land, such as in your workshop or while driving a company vehicle.

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

If your business owns or operates any vessels—even a small workboat to get to job sites—you need to insure them.

Commercial Hull Insurance: This policy covers physical damage to your own vessels from perils like sinking, collision, or fire.
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), and pollution.

4. Other Important Coverages

Commercial Auto Insurance: Necessary for any vehicles your business uses to transport tools, equipment, or parts to job sites.
Inland Marine Insurance: This covers your tools, equipment, and parts while they are in transit, at a job site, or stored in a location other than your main shop.
Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions): This is a good idea if you offer consulting, design, or other professional services. It protects against claims of negligence, errors, or omissions in your professional advice.

Finding the Right Insurance

Due to the complex nature of the marine industry, finding the right insurance is not as simple as getting a few quotes online. It’s highly recommended to work with an independent insurance agent or brokerage that specializes in the marine trades. They can help you:

Identify Your Specific Risks: A good agent will ask detailed questions about your operations, such as what types of vessels you work on (recreational vs. commercial), if you do work underway or while the vessel is at sea, and if you have employees.
Build a Comprehensive Package: They can put together a policy that combines all the necessary coverages to avoid gaps in protection.
Navigate Federal and State Regulations: They can ensure your insurance program is compliant with both Florida state laws and federal maritime laws.

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