Marine Artisan Insurance in Florida | USL&H Workers Comp & Marina Coverage for small contractors

Marine Artisan Insurance in Florida

Florida’s coastal economy runs on marine craftsmanship — from boat builders and repair shops to dock installers and dive contractors. Whether you’re sanding hulls, welding aluminum, insulating, cleaning the carpets or detailing yachts, your work keeps Florida’s maritime industry afloat. But the same waters that bring opportunity also carry risk.

At Barefoot Insurance Brokers, we specialize in Marine Artisan Insurance designed for the unique needs of Florida’s marine trades. We work with carriers that understand shipyards, marinas, and marine service operations — including those requiring U.S. Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation (USL&H) compliance.

Who Needs Marine Artisan Coverage?

If you work on or near the water, your business faces exposures beyond standard general liability. Marine Artisan Insurance is designed for small and mid-sized marine businesses such as:

  • Boat and yacht repair facilities
  • Dock and seawall contractors
  • Canvas and upholstery shops
  • Marine electronics installers
  • Fiberglass, gelcoat, and paint specialists
  • Hull cleaning and diving operations
  • Mobile marine mechanics
  • Rigging and crane operators
  • Welding, fabrication, and refinishing services

These trades often work within or adjacent to marinas, shipyards, and docks, where federal law (USL&H) and marina management contracts require specific insurance provisions. Barefoot Insurance Brokers ensures your policy meets those requirements before you step foot on the job site.

Understanding Marine Artisan Insurance

Marine Artisan Insurance isn’t a single policy — it’s a package of tailored coverages that protect against the broad range of risks involved in marine work. A comprehensive package may include:

  • General Liability Insurance — Protects against bodily injury or property damage to third parties caused by your operations.
  • Marine General Liability (MGL) — Extends liability to operations on or around navigable waters, including marina slips and docks.
  • Workers’ Compensation — Covers on-the-job injuries and illnesses for your employees.
  • USL&H Coverage — Required for employees working on or near navigable waters; provides federal-level protection similar to workers’ comp.
  • Hull & Machinery Coverage — For owned or leased workboats and barges.
  • Protection & Indemnity (P&I) — Covers liability arising from vessel operations, including crew injury or pollution exposure.
  • Commercial Auto Insurance — Covers vehicles used for mobile service calls or transport.
  • Inland Marine Coverage — Protects tools, mobile equipment, and materials in transit or stored offsite.

Barefoot Insurance Brokers combines these coverages into one cohesive plan — ensuring there are no gaps between land-based and water-based exposures.

Meeting Marina & Shipyard Requirements

Many Florida marinas, including Safe Harbor, Loggerhead, and Suntex properties, require contractors to provide proof of specific insurance before performing work on site. Typical requirements include:

  • Minimum $1,000,000 General Liability per occurrence
  • Marine General Liability endorsement or equivalent
  • USL&H Workers’ Compensation for employees exposed to docks or vessels
  • Waiver of Subrogation and Additional Insured Endorsements
  • Certificate of Insurance (COI) listing the marina or shipyard as a certificate holder

Failure to maintain compliant coverage can result in denied access, legal penalties, or lost contracts. Barefoot Insurance Brokers helps Florida marine artisans stay compliant — and competitive — with quick turnarounds for certificates and contract reviews.

USL&H Workers’ Compensation Explained

The U.S. Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (USL&H) is a federal program that extends workers’ compensation protections to employees working on or near navigable waters, including docks, shipyards, and loading areas.

This coverage is mandatory for marine workers who:

  • Perform duties on docks, wharves, or piers
  • Service, repair, or build vessels
  • Load or unload cargo
  • Work adjacent to navigable waters

If your business falls under this category, you need a USL&H endorsement in addition to standard state workers’ comp. Barefoot Insurance Brokers partners with carriers that specialize in USL&H and Jones Act coverage, ensuring your business meets both state and federal obligations.

Why Marine Artisan Coverage Is Critical in Florida

Florida’s year-round boating season, high hurricane exposure, and saltwater environment increase risks for marine contractors. Common claims we help our clients prevent and manage include:

  • Damage to customer boats during repair or transport
  • Worker injury while boarding or servicing vessels
  • Environmental damage or fuel spill liability
  • Storm damage to shop inventory or docked boats
  • Theft of tools or trailers from job sites

Even a minor incident can lead to major financial loss if your policy isn’t written specifically for marine operations. Barefoot Insurance Brokers reviews each client’s operations — including where and how work is performed — to ensure complete coverage.

Bundled Protection for Florida Marine Businesses

We understand marine professionals often operate in multiple environments — shop, marina, and mobile work. That’s why our Marine Artisan Packages can bundle:

  • Marine General Liability
  • Commercial Property Coverage
  • USL&H Workers’ Compensation
  • Inland Marine (Tools & Equipment)
  • Business Auto
  • Pollution Liability (optional)

With access to both admitted and specialty markets, we can place hard-to-insure risks and help you satisfy even the strictest marina insurance requirements.

Why Choose Barefoot Insurance Brokers

Barefoot Insurance Brokers has over a decade of experience protecting Florida’s marine industry — from Port Canaveral to Pompano Beach. As an independent agency, we represent multiple carriers who understand marine trades, ship repairers’ liability, and USL&H coverage.

We provide:

  • Fast certificates for marina access
  • Guidance on OSHA and USL&H compliance
  • Coverage tailored for small and mid-sized marine operations
  • Competitive pricing through multiple marine markets
  • Support for expanding operations across Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas

Our agents work closely with boatyards, contractors, and independent technicians to ensure you’re fully insured before the next haul-out or service call.

Get a Marine Artisan Insurance Quote Today

Don’t risk losing a contract or damaging your reputation due to uncovered marine exposures. Let Barefoot Insurance Brokers protect your livelihood with coverage designed for the unique challenges of Florida’s marine industry.

📞 Call Barefoot Insurance Brokers at 954-368-0060 for your marine artisan insurance quote today, or email one of our licensed Florida agents:

Barefoot Insurance Brokers — protecting Florida’s marine artisans, one vessel at a time.