Ship Repair & Shipbuilding Workers' Compensation

USL&H Insurance for Ship Repair and Shipbuilding Contractors

Employees who repair, build, or convert vessels on or near navigable waters are often covered under the United States Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act — a federal workers' compensation law separate from your state workers' comp policy. Whether it applies depends on the work performed, where it's performed, and the contract you're working under.

If your crew works in a shipyard, aboard a vessel, or on a marine railway, you're in one of the industries this law was written for — and one we've specialized in since 2007.

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What USL&H Covers, in Plain English

The United States Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (USL&H) is a federal workers' compensation law for employees injured while doing maritime work — including shipbuilding, ship repair, ship breaking, and related trades performed on navigable waters or in adjoining areas like piers, docks, and shipyards.

Trades commonly involved include welders, pipefitters, riggers, electricians, painters, blasters, machinists, and general laborers working vessel-side or yard-side on repair and new-construction projects.

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Ship Repair & Shipbuilding Contractors

WHO THIS IS FOR

  • Ship repair yards and dry dock operators
  • New-construction shipbuilders
  • Subcontractors working under a shipyard or prime contractor (welding, piping, electrical, painting, rigging, and related trades)
  • Vessel conversion and retrofit contractors
  • Contractors working NASSCO or similar shipyard-controlled job sites

Why State Workers' Comp Alone May Not Be Enough

  • If your crew works aboard vessels, on a marine railway, or on shipyard property, your state workers' compensation policy may not respond the way you expect.
  • USL&H and state coverage can apply at the same time — this is called concurrent jurisdiction — and most shipyards require proof of USL&H coverage before a crew can badge in, regardless of what your state policy already covers.
  • A policy in this space often includes a Job Limitation Endorsement, meaning coverage applies to specified operations and locations, with additional USL&H work during the policy term subject to prior underwriting review and approval.
  • This isn't a reason to assume you can't get covered — it's why working with a broker who already understands the trade matters.

What We Need From You to Get a Quote Started

  • Scope of work: new construction, ship repair, conversion, or retrofit
  • Where the work is performed: shipboard, dockside, dry dock, or shop
  • Payroll by class code
  • Current or prior carrier and loss runs
  • Any contract or shipyard requirement for USL&H coverage

FINANCING

USL&H premiums are typically financeable with 25% down and 9 monthly payments.

We'll walk you through options once we have your scope and payroll.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


It can be — eligibility depends on where the work is performed, the nature of the contract, and the facts of your specific operation. It's not automatic for every marine contractor.

In most cases, yes. USL&H and state coverage often apply together rather than one replacing the other. Your specific facts determine what's required.

Some carriers are cautious about shipyard and vessel risk and may limit coverage to specific jobs or locations through a Job Limitation Endorsement, with new work added subject to underwriting review.

We move quickly once we have your scope, payroll, and prior loss information — contact us directly to start.