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What is marine business insurance? What is Markel Tradesman?
There are unique risks to owning a business and owning a commercial marine business is no exception. Markel understands these risks and for over 45 years has been helping insure marine businesses like yours with our Markel Tradesman™ coverage (also known as marine business insurance). Our Markel Tradesman™ program is insurance protection designed to protect your marine business.
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What type of marine businesses do you typically insure?
With over 45 years of experience insuring marine businesses, chances are, we’ve seen a business like yours before. Examples of marine business risks that would fall under our Markel Tradesman™ program include:
- Boat or PWC rental facilities
- Charter boats used for guides, bareboat, sightseeing or sportfishing
- Bed and breakfast boats
- Boat clubs
- Boat schools
- Commercial fishing boats
- Owner/operator (environmental, artisan, weed control, etc.)
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Do you insure charter boats?
Yes, whether you are a professional captain taking out guest passengers out for sport fishing, dinner cruises, sightseeing tours or even using your boat as a water taxi you will be protected with our Markel Tradesman™ coverage.
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What type of coverage do you offer for charter boat businesses?
Charter business owners have a variety of protection options so they can customize their coverage to fit their business needs and budget. Some coverages available for marine charter businesses include:
Base charter coverage options:
- Windstorm extra expense
- Automatic tender
- Lower marine electronics deductible
Optional coverages available:
- Business interruption
- Primary fishing equipment
- Guest liquor liability
- Slip and mooring liability
- Premises liability
Optional preferred charter package coverage options:
- Tournament fee reimbursement
- Referral liability
- Emergency expense reimbursement
- Limited commercial fishing
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At my facility, we rent out boats and also use those same boats for charters. Am I covered for both uses of the boat?
With our Markel Tradesman™ coverage, numerous business types can be listed on one policy. For example, if you use your boat for charters, but also have that same boat available for rental for your customers, both can be listed on the same policy. When talking with one of our watercraft insurance specialists, be sure to list all the different ways your boat (s) is used.
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I use my boat for my business, but also sometimes use it for personal use. Am I covered?
If you own a boat bed and breakfast, use your boat to charter and/or guide, or even use your boat in a light commercial capacity (i.e. corporately owned boat used for client entertainment or employee use), you can be covered if you use your boat for personal use as well!
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How much coverage do I need?
There isn't a good answer to this question. Each boat, person, location, and situation is different. There isn't a good way to give a "ballpark" figure for how much coverage you need. It is best to evaluate your comfortable level of risk when protecting your boat, assets, and passengers. Your best option is to call our watercraft insurance specialists at +1.866.936.1879 to discuss the best coverage for you.

Marine business insurance
PROVIDED BY MARKEL
You know the risks in your business. Thankfully, so do we.
Or call +1.866.936.1879 to speak with a marine insurance specialist.
Welcome USAA members
Markel is proud to collaborate with USAA Insurance Agency in providing specialized marine business insurance to USAA members.
With over 45 years of marine experience, we understand the risks and liabilities that commercial marine business owners like you are exposed to. Protecting your investment and assets with customizable, affordable insurance coverage is our top priority.
Why do you need marine business insurance?
When you look at the assortment of businesses that fall under the “commercial marine” category, it’s obvious that this is not a “one-size-fits-all” insurance category. There’s a big difference between a business that rents rowboats by the hour and a blue water sport fishing charter.
That’s why our marine business insurance program has been designed from the ground up to offer a broad spectrum of coverage features for a wide variety of marine business uses. Our insurance coverages are designed specifically to help keep your business afloat.
What can marine business insurance cover?
- Boat or PWC rental facilities
- Charter boats used for guides, bareboat, sightseeing or sportfishing
- Bed and breakfast boats
- Boat clubs
- Boat schools
- Commercial fishing boats
- Owner/operator (environmental, artisan, weed control, etc.)
Available for all usages
Physical damage
Pays for repairs or replacement of your boat if it is damaged or stolen. Flexible deductible options are available.
Watercraft liability
Provides protection for legal liability you may have for bodily injury or property damage through ownership, maintenance or use of the vessel.
Pollution liability
Provides coverage for the sudden, accidental and unexpected discharge or spillage of a contaminant from the insured vessel.
Trailer coverage
Coverage for the trailer used to carry the insured watercraft.
Business interruption coverage
When a physical loss to a covered property occurs, it can lead to costly downtime. Business interruption coverage helps marine businesses withstand a covered loss so it is "business as normal."
Watersport liability
Coverage for bodily injury or property damage while the insured vessel is being used for waterskiing, aquaplaning, or any similar sport in which a person(s) or object(s) are being towed.
Premises or slip liability
"Slip & fall" coverage can provide protection for the insured if another person is injured while on the insured's property.
Medical payments
Can help pay for necessary medical treatment resulting from an accident-causing bodily injury to any person while in, boarding or leaving the insured vessel.
Personal property
Provides coverage for personal items not generally required for the safe operation or maintenance of the vessel (i.e. cameras, water-skis, sporting equipment, etc.). Items are covered while aboard an insured vessel or while being loaded or unloaded.
Emergency towing & assistance
Coverage can help reimburse the reasonable cost incurred (up to the limit purchased) if commercial towing assistance is required. Includes delivery of gas, oil, parts or a loaned battery (excluding the cost of items themselves) or emergency labor, while away from safe harbor.
Fishing equipment
Coverage on a primary basis for fishing equipment while aboard the insured vessel or when it is stored in a locked storage facility. Fishing equipment can include gear and equipment used in the legal taking of fish, including rods, reels, lures, rigs, line, tackle boxes and related electronic gear.
Uninsured and underinsured watercraft
Provides coverage for damages an insured person is entitled to receive due to a watercraft accident caused by an uninsured/underinsured vessel.
Crew liability
Provides coverage for the legal liability of an insured to a paid captain or crew member, and for obligations and duties under Jones Act or general maritime law.
Preferred charter (sport fishing only)
- Tournament fee reimbursement – reimbursement for the non-refundable portion of a tournament entry fee
- Referral liability – can cover legal obligations if the insured negligently refers people to another professional charter and they are injured
- Emergency expense reimbursement – coverage for the lodging and transportation expenses due to a covered physical damage loss, while more than 250 miles from mooring location
- Limited commercial fishing – allows usage for limited commercial fishing
Coverages offered vary and may not be available to all risks.
Start your marine business insurance application today.
Or call +1.866.936.1879 to speak with a marine insurance specialist.

Frequently asked questions about Markel’s marine business insurance
Marine business insurance doesn't need to be complicated. Explore the most commonly asked questions about our program and get the answers you're looking for.

Warrior Sailing
Markel is a proud supporter of Warrior Sailing, an organization dedicated to healing and strengthening the lives of veterans through sailing. Visit warriorsailing.org to learn about Warrior Sailing and how you can donate to the program so they can continue to help the lives of wounded veterans.