Who insures it · 5 named markets · read 2026-10-28

Who insures yachts and charter boats?

Yachts and charter boats is a risk most standard carriers decline on sight. The markets below say in their own published appetite or program pages that they write it; each line links to that page with the date it was read.

5 markets publicly write yachts and charter boats: Markel (Tradesman marine business program), One80 Intermediaries (One80 Marine), Charter Lakes Marine Insurance (Arthur J. Gallagher), Chubb, Prime Insurance Company. 2 admitted carriers, 1 program administrator, 1 MGA, 1 E&S carrier. 1 through surplus lines.

By Sam Alishahi, independent insurance broker

The markets

Who says they write it

From each market's own appetite, product or program page (or a trade article quoting it), read on the date shown. Appetites change: the linked page controls. A market listed here isn't necessarily one this agency is appointed with; a licensed broker reaches most of them directly or through a wholesaler.

Market	What they say they write	Where	Paper	Source
Markel (Tradesman marine business program) Admitted carrier	Charter boats used for guides, bareboat, sightseeing or sportfishing; bareboat, guide and sport fishing charters; boat or PWC rental facilities; boat schools; preferred charter package (sport fishing only); personal watercraft over 26 ft such as yachts, sailboats, trawlers, houseboats “Charter boats used for guides, bareboat, sightseeing or sportfishing”	not stated	not stated	markel.com · read 2026-10-28
One80 Intermediaries (One80 Marine) Program administrator	Three in-house yacht programs: Wayfinder (admitted, standard boats and yachts up to 65 ft, limited charter coverage available), SeaWave (CAT-focused, East Coast/Florida/Gulf, limited six-pack charter, no start-ups), PrimeTime (admitted high-performance/center console); excess P&I including bareboat charters and charter coverage; brokered yacht markets. Site describes One80 as a wholesale brokerage “One80 Intermediaries' watercraft insurance programs span all types and sizes of boats and yachts”	not stated (navigation areas: Continental U.S.; East Coast, Florida and Gulf; Bahamas/Caribbean cruising)	both	one80.com · read 2026-10-28
Charter Lakes Marine Insurance (Arthur J. Gallagher) MGA	Charter boats, commercial boats for hire, professional fishing guides, yachts and luxury vessels, small craft; charter boat coverage for vessel, equipment, passengers and crew. Site does not label itself (copyright Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services); carrier logos shown include Markel, GAIG, Chubb, Travelers “Full-service protection for charter boats, commercial vessels, fishing guides, yachts, small craft, and more.”	not stated	not stated	charterlakes.com · read 2026-10-28
Chubb Admitted carrier	Personal lines boats and yachts: pleasure yachts 36 ft or greater, captained vessels 70 ft or greater with full-time captain and crew; charter or commercial use not stated on the page “From small boats to large yachts, it's smooth sailing with Chubb.”	not stated	not stated	chubb.com · read 2026-10-28
Prime Insurance Company E&S carrier	Boat and boat rental liability for businesses that rent or sell boats or provide boating services and for individuals; nature-of-business list includes 'Boats (fast boats, powerboats, yachts, charters, etc.)' and 'Rentals' “Boats (fast boats, powerboats, yachts, charters, etc.)”	all 50 states (page: 'We can help businesses and individuals in all 50 states.')	Surplus lines	primeis.com · read 2026-10-28

Maritime Program Group and Global Marine Insurance Agency could not be fetched (site fetch failed / rate-limited); Novamar not located before the search budget ran out. Charter Lakes' charter-boats page was also fetched and repeats the same charter boat statements.

How yachts and charter boats gets placed

Standard markets first where any will look at it; when they won't, the placement goes through surplus lines, where a licensed surplus lines broker places it with an eligible non-admitted insurer and files the state's surplus lines tax and stamping forms. In California, risks on the Department of Insurance export list can go to surplus lines without the usual diligent search of admitted carriers. Surplus lines policies aren't backed by a state guaranty fund, so the insurer's financial rating matters more.

What an underwriter will want before quoting: a full description of the operation, years in business and the owners' experience, revenue or payroll, loss runs (five years where available, currently valued), the contracts or venue requirements that set the limits, and photos or safety plans where the hazard is physical.

I'm licensed in 49 states and Washington, DC and your request stays with my agency, not passed to another agent. In Florida, where my licenses are still being issued, a partner agency in your state helps in the meantime.

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