From the slip to open water.
Coverage for marinas, yacht clubs, boat dealers, yacht charter operators, boat rentals and marine service businesses.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Marine businesses need marine markets
Marinas are responsible for boats in their care, docks and fuel, and visitors on the water. Boat dealers carry inventory on land and in the water, and charter operators carry passengers. Standard business policies aren't built for any of it, so marine businesses are written by marine specialty markets.
Employees working on docks and over water can bring federal longshore (USL&H) exposure, which changes the workers' comp you need. I place marine business coverage through marine specialty markets.
- Marina operators liabilityCustomers' boats in your care, custody or control.
- Dealer inventoryBoats for sale, on land and in the water.
- Charter liabilityPassengers and crew on chartered vessels.
- Property and USL&HDocks and buildings, and marine workers' comp.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Operations: marina, dealership, charter or service.
- Location: harbor, slips and storage.
- Values: docks, buildings, inventory and vessels.
- Revenue and staff: sales, payroll and employees on the water.
- Fuel: fuel dock and storage tanks.
- History: current policies and claims.
Marina insurance, answered
What is marina operators legal liability?
Coverage for damage to customers' boats while they're in your care, such as at your slips, in storage or being moved.
Do yacht charters need special insurance?
Yes. Charters carry passengers and crew, which personal boat policies exclude.
Why does USL&H matter for marinas?
Workers on docks and near navigable water may fall under the federal Longshore Act rather than state workers' comp.
What do underwriters rate on?
Operations, location, values, fuel exposure, payroll and claims history.
Do you offer marina and boat dealer insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. California policies are placed directly; outside California the request is handled together with a partner agency in your state, and the shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Tell me about your operation. I'll shop it.
Your location, operations and values are enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued. Some policies may be placed with nonadmitted (surplus lines) insurers, which are not members of the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA).
Tell me how to reach you. I’ll take it from there.
Takes about 30 seconds. I review every request personally and call you back, usually the same day.
(424) 552-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
Get a reminder before your renewal.
Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.