Commercial Fishing Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages a commercial fishing business may carry — core, prevalent, and situational — why each matters, and the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current policy and check the box next to any coverage you can confirm is already in place — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor. Coverage checklist for commercial fishing vessel owners and operators. Priorities reflect typical exposure for this class; confirm against your actual vessels and fisheries.
Tick each coverage you can confirm you carry — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Have it? | Coverage | Why this business needs it | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hull & Machinery | Covers physical loss of or damage to the vessel and engines. | Core | |
| Protection & Indemnity (P&I) | Covers crew injury claims under the Jones Act, collision, and third-party liability. | Core | |
| Crew Coverage / Maritime Employers Liability | Covers maintenance, cure, and wages owed to injured crew — state workers' comp does not. | Core | |
| Pollution / Vessel Pollution Liability | Covers fuel spills and federal cleanup obligations. | Core | |
| Fishing Gear & Equipment | Covers pots, nets, and gear lost or damaged at sea — often limited under hull. | Prevalent | |
| Catch / Cargo | Covers the catch aboard against loss before it is sold. | Situational | |
| Loss of Earnings / Business Interruption | Replaces income when the vessel is laid up after a covered loss. | Situational | |
| Workers' Compensation (Shoreside) | Covers dock and office staff who are not seamen. | Prevalent | |
| Commercial Auto | Covers trucks hauling gear and catch. | Situational | |
| Excess P&I / Umbrella | Adds limits above primary P&I for serious crew claims. | Prevalent |
The coverage gap most often missed
The gap most often missed by fishing operations is crew coverage. Crew members are usually Jones Act seamen, so state workers' compensation does not respond — injury claims, maintenance and cure, and unseaworthiness suits go through P&I. Policies can also exclude crew who are not named or who fish on shares. Confirm P&I covers every crew member and fishery, and keep stability instructions current — the Scandies Rose sinking cost five lives.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your commercial fishing coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Commercial Fishing Insurance · Commercial Fishing Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does a commercial fishing business need?
The core coverages for a commercial fishing business are Hull & Machinery, Protection & Indemnity (P&I), Crew Coverage / Maritime Employers Liability, Pollution / Vessel Pollution Liability. This checklist also lists the prevalent and situational coverages worth considering, with a plain-English note on why each matters.
Is this checklist insurance advice?
No. It is a free educational tool to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed professional. It affords no coverage and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice — only your actual policy language governs what is and isn't covered.
Can Cory Washington & Co. review my commercial fishing coverage?
Yes. Share your checklist and we'll review your program line by line, market your account across multiple carriers, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
This checklist is a free educational tool from Cory Washington & Co. to help you review your own coverage and have a more informed conversation with a licensed insurance professional. It is general information only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy, change, or cancel any policy. Coverage terms, availability, limits, and requirements vary by policy, carrier, and state, and only the language in your actual policy governs what is and isn’t covered. Checking or leaving blank any item above does not indicate that you are adequately insured or under-insured. Using this checklist does not create a client, agency, or fiduciary relationship. Always consult a licensed professional about your specific situation.