https://completemarkets.com/company/acemarineinsurance/recreational-marine-insurance/
ACE Recreational Marine Insurance provides specialized marine insurance for personal watercraft (PWC), small and mid-size boats, private pleasure yachts, select charter vessels, and Mega-Yachts. Coverage is available only to appointed ACE USA agents; new agent appointments are considered with a volume commitment. As a managing general agency, ACE places business with a variety of markets to provide admitted and excess & surplus options depending on account characteristics and state availability.
Overview of the Program from ACE Recreational Marine Insurance
This program is designed for agents who need flexible, marine-specific coverage for recreational vessels and related exposures. ACE offers tailored hull, liability, and protection & indemnity (P&I) solutions through multiple carriers, allowing you to match coverage form and pricing to the risk — from owner-operated PWCs to crewed charter yachts and large Mega-Yachts. Underwriting emphasizes marine experience, proper maintenance, and risk controls.
Excess & Surplus Classes:
Charter Boats – Skippered
Fishing Guides
Hull/P&I
Jet Pump Boats
Jet Ski/PWC
Personal Watercraft - Liability & Phys Damage
Private Pleasure Yachts
Ski Boat/Small Boat Package
Watercraft - Liability & Physical Damage
Ideal Accounts and Appetite
ACE is best suited for:
Owner-operated pleasure craft (PWCs, ski boats, runabouts)
Private pleasure yachts and larger recreational vessels with qualified crew
Skippered charter boats and select charter operations with documented safety protocols
Fishing guides and commercial-recreational hybrid operations when limits and operations qualify
Accounts needing hull and P&I combinations, or specialized physical damage and liability forms
You will typically find success placing accounts that maintain proper safety equipment, have documented maintenance, and can provide experience and loss history. High-risk operations (e.g., unlicensed charters, rental fleets lacking controls, vessels with extensive known deferred maintenance) may not fit the appetite.
Coverage Highlights and Advantages
Key strengths of the ACE program:
Multiple market access via the MGA — admitted and non-admitted placement flexibility depending on state and account.
Broad hull and liability options, including physical damage, P&I, pollution liability, and crew exposures for larger yachts.
Support for skippered charters, fishing guide operations, and specialty PWC exposures.
Underwriters experienced in marine risks, able to consider layered structures and bespoke endorsements where appropriate.
These features help you tailor quotes for owners who want comprehensive protection for both physical loss and third-party liability tied to recreational use.
Underwriting Notes and Minimum Premiums
Underwriting focuses on:
Vessel type, age, value, and maintenance records
Operator qualifications, licensing, and any required crew credentials
Intended use (private pleasure, chartered with skipper, fishing guide, rental exposure)
Loss history and safety controls (alarms, bilge systems, navigation equipment)
Minimum premium levels vary by carrier and coverage; ACE evaluates minimums on a case-by-case basis depending on the class and limits requested. Provide complete vessel details and recent loss runs to speed placement and accurate premium indication.
Territories and Availability
Available in: 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, DC. ACE works with various carriers to provide admitted and E&S options depending on state rules and account specifics.
Why Work With ACE Recreational Marine Insurance
As an MGA, ACE offers agents:
Direct access to marine-focused underwriting and multiple markets
A range of product forms for PWCs through Mega-Yachts
Support placing specialized classes such as skippered charters and fishing guides
Consideration for new appointments with demonstrated volume commitment
You can use this program when you need carrier flexibility and marine expertise to place accounts that don’t fit standard personal marine forms or that require tailored hull and P&I arrangements.
Example Accounts
1) You might have a client who owns a 45-foot private pleasure yacht requiring hull and liability coverage with crew P&I — ACE can consider tailored hull/P&I placement through available carriers.
2) You might place a small charter operator who provides skippered fishing charters with demonstrated safety procedures — the program can evaluate skippered charter exposure on an E&S basis if admitted options are limited in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of accounts are a good fit for ACE Recreational Marine Insurance?Accounts that typically fit include owner-operated pleasure boats, PWCs, ski boats, private pleasure yachts, skippered charters, and fishing guides where the operator can document experience, maintenance, and safety procedures.
Are these products available only to appointed agents?Yes. Coverage is available only to appointed ACE USA agents. New appointments are considered when an agent can demonstrate a volume commitment and a pipeline of marine business.
Do you offer admitted and non-admitted options?ACE places business through various carriers, providing both admitted and excess & surplus solutions depending on the state, coverage needs, and risk characteristics.
What information speeds up the underwriting and quoting process?Provide vessel details (year, make, model, value), operator experience and licensing, recent loss runs, intended use (private, charter, guide), and maintenance/inspection records to help underwriters evaluate quickly.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.