USL&H and MEL Insurance — Program Overview
Continental Risk / Continental Marine Insurance Services offers a tailored USL&H and Maritime Employer's Liability (MEL) program designed for agents placing longshore, harbor and other maritime exposures. This program supports federal maritime acts (USL&H, Defense Base Act, Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, Non-appropriated Fund Instrumentalities Act) and companion state act placements when appropriate. Coverage can be written on admitted or surplus lines placements depending on state and risk — some admitted markets are available alongside excess & surplus options.
Ideal Accounts and Appetite
This program targets contractors and employers with incidental to primary maritime exposure. Typical fits include:
• Marine contractors, ship repair and engine repair crews
• Crane installation/repair and rigging operations
• Onshore contractors working on docks, piers, platforms, and vessels
• Specialty trades with incidental marine exposure (electricians, welders, carpenters, painters, HVAC/refrigeration technicians)
• Service providers supporting maritime operations (pest control, communications repair, fire extinguisher servicing)
You can place both single-location and multi-state accounts; the program accepts small to large accounts where maritime exposure is a primary or incidental component of operations.
Coverage Highlights and Advantages
- Full coverage for applicable federal maritime acts (statutory limits for federal acts) and MEL with employer’s liability limits generally offered to $1,000,000.
- Flexible plan designs: first dollar, loss-sensitive rating plans, excess over qualified self-insurance, and deductible options.
- Program experience in pairing federal acts with companion state act placements where needed to address state-specific exposure.
- Access to multiple carrier markets — capacity varies by risk, enabling admitted placements in some states and E&S solutions elsewhere.
Underwriting Notes and Minimum Premium
Underwriters will evaluate payroll split by exposure, percent of hours worked over water or on vessels, use of subcontractors, safety programs, and prior maritime claims history. Typical information requested:
- Detailed payroll and class code breakdown
- Descriptions of shore-side versus vessel work and crew exposure
- Copies of contracts with government entities or vessel owners (if applicable)
- Loss runs and safety program documentation
Minimum premium: $15,000. Programs may offer deductible or loss-sensitive structures for larger accounts; excess over qualified self-insurance is available for experienced employers.
Territories and Availability
Continental Risk places business nationally in the following states and territories: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, DC, WV, WI, WY.
What Fits / What Usually Does Not
Good fits: employers with clear maritime exposures, controlled subcontractor usage, documented safety programs, and manageable payrolls that justify the federal act placement.
Less likely: highly hazardous offshore oil & gas drilling contractors with complex multiple-layered liabilities or accounts with poor loss histories that require specialized, bespoke energy-market capacity.
Examples You Can Place Through This Program
Example 1: A regional marine contractor who performs ship repair and pier maintenance with crews that work both ashore and aboard vessels. You can submit payroll breakdown, loss runs, and contract scope to be evaluated for a combined USL&H / MEL placement.
Example 2: A municipal harbor services vendor providing crane installation and communications repair with incidental vessel exposure. The program can consider first-dollar or deductible structures and companion state act coverage when state law creates exposure.
Why Work With Continental Risk / Continental Marine Insurance Services
- Specialized underwriting and placement experience in maritime and longshore risks.
- Access to a variety of carrier markets for admitted or surplus lines placement depending on the state and appetite.
- Flexible plan designs to align with insureds’ loss experience and self-insurance programs.
- Responsive submission handling for agents: clear requirements and structured underwriting review.
For submissions, include payroll detail by class, a description of vessel/shore work split, loss runs, and copies of any government or vessel contracts to speed placement review.