Maritime Employers Liability (MEL) Insurance for Contractors

Maritime Employers Liability, often called MEL, is a coverage that fills gaps left by United States Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (USL&H) insurance and standard general liability insurance. MEL responds to claims brought under general maritime law and the Jones Act - including claims from vessel crew members - that fall outside typical workers' compensation systems.

Marine Employers Liability (MEL) is typically relevant for vessel owners and operators, ship repair employers with crew exposure, and marine contractors whose work mixes onshore and vessel-based operations. Whether your operation needs MEL coverage depends on the vessels involved, your contracts, and the specific work performed. This is not a determination that any particular business needs this coverage - that depends on the facts of your operation.

How MEL compares:

  • USL&H - federal workers' compensation for land-based and dock/pier maritime workers injured on navigable waters or adjoining areas.
  • Maritime Employers Liability (MEL) - covers claims under general maritime law and the Jones Act, often involving vessel crew members, not covered by USL&H or standard workers' comp.
  • Marine General Liability (MGL) - covers third-party bodily injury and property damage, including exposures on or near navigable waters that standard general liability policies typically exclude.
  • What we need from you to quote MEL: payroll by classification, a description of the vessels you operate or service, a description of your operations, prior loss runs, and any contract language requiring MEL coverage.
  • Common reasons contractors come to us for MEL: a vessel owner or general contractor's contract requires it, a prior claim was filed under general maritime law, or the business is expanding into vessel-adjacent work for the first time.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


No. MEL and USL&H address different types of claims and are usually purchased together, not as substitutes for one another.

Possibly not, but eligibility depends on the specific facts of your operations. Contact us to review your situation.

Marine General Liability (MGL) covers third-party bodily injury and property damage, including marine-related exposures that a standard general liability policy usually excludes. MEL specifically addresses maritime employer liability claims arising under general maritime law and the Jones Act - a different type of claim entirely.