United States Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation (USL&H) Program — Overview
Breckenridge Insurance Services provides a targeted USL&H workers compensation program designed for traditional maritime occupations and other workers who are exposed to injury on navigable waters and adjoining areas (wharves, docks, terminals). We combine maritime underwriting experience with market access — including placement capability with an A.M. Best A+ XV carrier partner (Zurich) and other capacity — to offer competitive, comprehensive coverage for shore-based and waterborne maritime employers.
Target Classes and Ideal Accounts
This program is a fit for insureds engaged in:
- Stevedoring and longshore operations
- Shipbuilding, boat building and repair
- Marina operators and marine terminal operators
- Marine construction, dock and pier contractors
- Marine artisan contractors and ship cleaning
You might place accounts such as a regional marina with year-round dock staff, a ship-repair yard that employs welders and installers, or a marine construction contractor working on piers and bulkhead repairs. The program also considers non-maritime employees if their work is performed on navigable waters and an injury occurs there.
Coverage Highlights and Advantages
- Coverage tailored to claims that arise on U.S. navigable waters and adjoining areas used in loading and unloading vessels.
- Ability to place difficult-to-place maritime risks, including accounts with incidental marine employers’ liability (MEL) exposures.
- Access to multiple carrier options through Breckenridge’s wholesale relationships, including strong admitted capacity.
- Underwriting driven by maritime expertise — terms and price reflect real operational exposures and loss control considerations.
Underwriting Notes & Minimum Premium
Underwriting looks at payroll breakdown by class, job functions performed on navigable waters, vessel-related exposures, safety programs, and loss history. Minimum premium varies by account and state — please submit account detail (class codes, payroll, loss runs, operations description) for an accurate indication. Typical submissions that move quickly include clear descriptions of where work is performed (e.g., fixed docks vs. vessel-based) and any marine safety programs in place.
Territories & Admitted Status
Available in most U.S. states (AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY and DC). Admitted availability: Most available states. Specific admitted/non-admitted placement will depend on class, exposure and carrier appetite.
Why Work With Breckenridge on USL&H Business
- Specialized maritime underwriting expertise combined with wholesale distribution capabilities.
- Market access to multiple carriers, including A.M. Best rated admitted capacity for competitive placements.
- Experience placing both routine and harder-to-place maritime accounts, with solutions that consider incidental MEL where appropriate.
- Responsive submission review — detailed underwriting feedback helps you position the account for the best terms available.
How to submit: Provide class codes and payroll by class, recent loss runs, a description of operations and where work is performed, and any safety or training programs in place. Breckenridge underwriters will review and provide appetite and next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of accounts are a good fit for Breckenridge’s USL&H program?
Accounts that perform work on U.S. navigable waters or adjoining areas: stevedoring, shipbuilding and repair, marina operators, marine construction, dock contractors, marine terminal operators and marine artisan contractors. Non-maritime employees who work on navigable waters may also qualify.
Does this program cover incidental marine employers’ liability (MEL)?
Yes — the program can consider accounts with incidental MEL exposures. Coverage and terms depend on operations, limits requested, and carrier appetite; include details of vessel exposure and third-party operations in your submission.
What information should I include with a submission?
Provide payroll by class, class codes, detailed operations description (where work is performed), recent loss runs, and any safety or training programs. Clear documentation of waterborne vs. shore-based work speeds underwriting.
Are there geographic or jurisdictional limits I should be aware of?
The policy is intended for injuries occurring on U.S. navigable waters and adjoining areas. Availability is broad — most U.S. states and DC — but admitted vs. non-admitted placement varies by state and carrier.
How is minimum premium handled?
Minimum premium varies by state and carrier. Underwriting will confirm minimum premium requirements during the quoting process based on class mix, payroll and exposure.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.