MPG's Passenger Vessel program is designed for Subchapter T passenger vessels (up to 149 passengers) including ferries, whale-watching, sport fishing, sightseeing/excursion operations, tall ships, and water taxis. Maritime Program Group provides targeted protection for passenger vessels with coverage options that include Protection & Indemnity (P&I), Fuel Spill, Personal Effects (including fishing gear), Medical Payments, Towing & Emergency Services, and more.
Mechanical breakdown is not excluded. Additional available coverages include Shore Side Liability, Jones Act crew coverage, gangway and ticket area coverage, excess collision, and breach of warranty wording. Whether the account is a small guide boat, a six-passenger excursion, or a vessel carrying 100 passengers, the underwriting team at M.P.G. can assist you with your Charter Boat Insurance needs.
Overview of the Program from Maritime Program Group
Maritime Program Group operates as a Managing General Agency to place Subchapter T passenger vessel business with experienced underwriting and claims support. This program is built for agents who need a responsive market for ferries, excursion fleets, sightseeing operations, fishing charters, tall ships, and other commercial passenger vessels carrying up to 149 passengers. Coverage form flexibility and optional endorsements let you tailor terms to the vessel’s operations and exposures.
Ideal Accounts and Appetite
This program is a fit for:
- Commercial passenger vessels operating under Subchapter T, up to 149 passengers.
- Ferries and water taxi operators with scheduled routes or short transits.
- Whale-watching and sightseeing excursion boats, sport-fishing charters, and tall ship operators.
- Operators seeking P&I, pollution (fuel spill) protection, and options for shore side exposures and crew cover.
Accounts that commonly fit include day-trip excursion operators, coastal and nearshore ferries, and small commercial guide boats. If a client’s vessel routinely carries more than 149 passengers or operates under a different regulatory framework, consult underwriting prior to submission.
Coverage Highlights and Advantages
- Primary P&I protection tailored for passenger exposures.
- Fuel spill/pollution liability endorsements appropriate for commercial passenger craft.
- Personal effects coverage that can include fishing gear and guest property.
- Medical payments, towing & emergency services to address passenger rescue and on-water response costs.
- Available shore side liability, gangway and ticket area coverage, and Jones Act crew protection.
- Mechanical breakdown exposure is addressed (not automatically excluded) — discuss operational details with underwriting.
Underwriting Notes
Underwriters at MPG prefer clear operational details: passenger capacity, typical routes, navigation limits, safety and maintenance programs, crew certifications, and loss history. Provide vessel dimensions, construction type, and any charter/ticketing operations. Policies and endorsements are issued directly by Maritime Program Group, enabling fast turnaround on terms and mid-term changes.
Territories and Availability
This Passenger Vessel Insurance program is available in the states listed below. Please confirm state eligibility and admitted vs. non-admitted options with underwriting when submitting an account.
Available in: 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.
Why Work with Maritime Program Group
As an MGA focused on marine programs, MPG gives agents direct access to experienced underwriting, in-house policy issuance, and a dedicated claims unit. The program’s relationship with markets such as North American Specialty (Swiss Re) supports capacity and stability for passenger risks. If you need quick quotes, online submission tools, direct billing, and proactive service for passenger vessel placements, MPG is positioned to support those needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of passenger vessels are eligible for this program?
MPG’s Passenger Vessel program targets Subchapter T commercial passenger vessels up to 149 passengers, including ferries, water taxis, whale-watching and sightseeing vessels, sport-fishing charters, and tall ships.
Which coverages are available that address passenger exposures?
Typical options include Protection & Indemnity (P&I), fuel spill/pollution liability, personal effects, medical payments, towing and emergency services, plus shore side and gangway/ticket area coverages. Additional endorsements such as Jones Act crew coverage and excess collision are available.
What does underwriting need on initial submission?
Provide passenger capacity, navigation limits, vessel type and construction, crew qualifications, maintenance records, recent loss history, and typical operating schedules. These details help underwriters assess limits, endorsements, and pricing.
Is the program available nationwide?
The program is available in the states listed above. Confirm admitted vs. non-admitted options and state-specific requirements with MPG underwriting at submission time.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.