USL&H - Marine Workers Comp

Program Overview from Novatae Risk Group

Novatae Risk Group offers a focused USL&H - Marine Workers Comp program to help agents place challenging and specialty marine accounts. Whether your client works on vessels, on piers, or onshore adjacent to navigable waters, this program delivers workers’ compensation solutions tailored to maritime and waterfront exposures. Novatae places business with several top-rated carriers (markets as high as AXV by A.M. Best) and provides access to both admitted and non-admitted markets.

Ideal Accounts and Appetite

This program is built for businesses that require USL&H coverage — from clean-mod operations to accounts with elevated experience mods or prior lapses. Novatae will consider a wide range of marine and waterfront class codes and is comfortable underwriting risks that don’t fit standard markets.

Targeted Industries Include:

• Boat service and repair contractors
• Fishermen and fishing tour operators
• Scuba diving trainers and ski rental operators
• Marina operators and shipbuilders
• Bridge builders and painters
• Dock, pier, and marine construction contractors
• Offshore oil and platform workers

Artisan, Trade, and Service Contractors That May Need USL&H:

• Electricians, painters, and carpenters working over, from, or adjacent to navigable waters
• Crane installation and repair crews
• Engine and refrigeration repair technicians
• HVAC and sheet metal contractors
• Wallboard installers and concrete workers operating on marine projects
• Ship cleaning and passenger vessel operations

Program Highlights

• Multiple carrier options — flexibility to place difficult risks
• Aggressive pricing strategies when appropriate
• Broad acceptance of class codes and unique marine exposures
• First-dollar coverage options available
• Loss-sensitive and high-deductible plan structures
• Monthly payroll reporting available
• Not a PEO — this is a traditional workers' compensation program

Underwriting Notes and Minimum Premiums

Minimum premiums typically start at $10,000 in most states. Novatae evaluates accounts with elevated X-mods and does not automatically decline risks with prior lapses in coverage. Final terms depend on class mix, payroll, loss history, and project details.

Territory and Market Access

The USL&H - Marine Workers Comp program is available in most U.S. states, including coastal and inland regions: 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, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, DC, WV, and WI.

Why Work With Novatae Risk Group

As a Managing General Underwriter and E&S broker, Novatae combines niche underwriting expertise with market access for marine and USL&H exposures. Their team focuses on practical placement solutions for accounts that are difficult to place in standard markets and works with agents to structure terms that balance coverage and cost.

You might bring Novatae a marina with on-site repair operations and mixed class codes, or a contractor performing bridge work over navigable waters — both are the sort of accounts this program targets. Novatae’s flexibility and carrier relationships make it a strong option when traditional markets say no.