Connect the liability form to the work
Marine general liability is a market description, not a single universal policy. Begin by identifying who may be injured and whose property may be damaged. Describe waterfront construction, subcontracted trades, work aboard vessels, public access and completed operations separately. Ask how the proposed form treats each exposure, which entities qualify as insureds and whether the declared operations accurately reflect the company's work. A policy label does not establish that an operation is covered.
Examine the boundaries between policies
A standard commercial general liability policy may contain watercraft, pollution, employee injury and property-in-your-care exclusions that matter to marine contractors. Marine liability wording may address some exposures differently, but those changes must be confirmed in the issued forms. Vessel operation, damage to the contractor's own equipment and workers' injuries require separate analysis. Review where marine contractors legal liability, P&I, pollution insurance and workers' compensation respond, overlap or leave a question unresolved.
Review contracts before requesting certificates
Provide the owner agreement, subcontract terms, scope of work and requested endorsements before mobilization. Discuss additional insured status, completed operations, primary and noncontributory wording, defense costs, deductibles and any project aggregate requirements. A certificate summarizes information; it does not broaden the policy. For work near existing wharves, utilities or navigation channels, document the property's condition and identify responsibility for damage to the work itself. These are review priorities, not a promise that any particular form includes them.
Questions worth asking
Does marine general liability replace P&I?
No. Contractor operations and vessel-related liability must be matched to the applicable policy wording and insured capacity. A coordinated program may require both.
Does a waterfront address make ordinary CGL sufficient?
No. Location alone says little about the watercraft, contractual, pollution and property exposures arising from the actual work.
Official references
Sources support the related legal or safety topic. Policy review points are general educational guidance.
Travelers: marine contractor coverage categories (illustrative market reference; no appointment implied) ↗