Storm Season Repairs: Insurance Tips For Ship Repairers

As storm season approaches, the demand for urgent marine repairs surges, often under intense pressure and unpredictable conditions. For insurance agents, now is the time to help clients secure the right ship repairers insurance before that first major storm rolls in. 

When vessels return battered and weather-worn, the essential job of repairing them entails higher risk. The repair yard quickly becomes a frontline for operational hazards, customer liability, and environmental exposure.

Storm Season’s Unique Repair Demands

Apart from disrupting schedules, storms also overload shipyards. With hurricanes and tropical storms leaving vessels grounded, holed, or otherwise compromised, ship repairers often face an influx of repair jobs. The increased demand forces repair shops to move faster, bring in temporary labor, and sometimes operate beyond normal capacity.

That pace invites risk. Fast-tracked repairs mean more moving parts, reduced time for inspections, and increased reliance on subcontractors or rented equipment. Whether it’s a mishandled lift, a faulty weld, or a vessel falling off a dry dock, it only takes one misstep for costs to spiral. 

Risks Under a Ship Repairer’s Watch

When a vessel enters a repair yard, the repairer assumes responsibility. During storm season, the repairer may take custody of multiple damaged vessels at once.

Some of the most pressing risks during storm season include:

• Damage to vessels under repair: If a storm-damaged vessel suffers further harm while in the care of a repairer, the costs can fall back on the yard.
• Sea trial accidents: Post-repair trials carry heightened risk, especially when performed under pressure or with less experienced hands.
• Worker injuries: Rushing repairs or relying on temporary crews increases injury potential, especially when working on unstable or partially sunken vessels.
• Pollution liability: Storm-damaged vessels may leak fuel, oil, or hazardous materials during the repair process, leading to costly cleanup and regulatory fines.

Without proper ship repairers’ insurance, these exposures can result in serious financial consequences.

Coverage Agents Should Prioritize

To help clients navigate the turbulent storm season, insurance agents should focus on a set of core coverages:

• Ship repairers legal liability: Covers damage to a customer’s vessel while in the repairer’s custody
• Protection and indemnity: Provides third-party liability protection, especially critical during sea trials or off-site operations
• Pollution liability: Covers the cost of cleanup and potential environmental fines if contaminants escape into the water or the surrounding area
• Business income coverage: Protects against income loss due to storm damage to the repairer’s own facilities or equipment

Merrimac Marine Insurance offers tailored policies for ship repairers, aligning coverage with each operation’s risks. Our direct agent support, access to leading marine markets, and fast, responsive service make them a reliable partner, especially during storm season. From risk evaluation to quoting, we help agents respond quickly when it matters most.

Get Ship Repair Clients Storm-Ready

Shipyards need to be prepared before the first vessel comes in battered by a hurricane or caught in a squall. Solid ship repairers’ insurance is a critical piece of that readiness, giving repairers the confidence to do their work without absorbing liabilities that could sink their business.

Partnering with Merrimac Marine gives agents the right tools, expertise, and market access to protect those on the front lines of marine recovery. Reach out to Merrimac Marine Insurance for a quote, and help your clients stay operational and protected when storm season strikes.

About Merrimac Marine Insurance

At Merrimac Marine, we are dedicated to providing insurance for the marine industry to protect your clients’ businesses and assets. For more information about our products and programs, contact our specialists today at (800) 681-1998.