The Off-Season Opportunity: Why Marine Contractors Should Review Their Insurance in November

Year-end marks a natural pause for many marine contractors. With dredging, dock building, shoreline construction, and repair work slowing down, contractors finally have space to sit back, relax, sip some coffee or hot cocoa, and reassess their marine contractors insurance.

But, as you know, most marine contractors aren’t planning to do that. ‘Tis the season of binge-watching some shows they’ve been meaning to catch up on. You’ll need to reach out to them.

For insurance agents, this lull is one of the best client-engagement windows of the year. It’s the moment to catch your clients at their least busiest, discuss emerging risks, and help them enter 2026 with up-to-date, accurate protection.

Why the Off-Season Is the Ideal Time for Policy Reviews

With fewer active job sites demanding their attention, contractors may be more available for meaningful conversations about risk. This slower period gives you the chance to review how your client’s project mix, staffing levels, and equipment have changed over the past year.

Setting up a policy discussion for sometime in the next several weeks can help confirm that their coverage reflects current realities — not outdated assumptions. Agents can revisit:

• Liability exposures: Contractors may have shifted from small dock repairs to larger dredging or pile-driving projects.
• Payroll and staffing: Fluctuations can affect rating accuracy.
• Equipment usage: Barges, cranes, excavators, or vessels may have been added, retired, or repurposed.

It’s also the ideal time to look ahead. What projects are planned for early 2026? Will their subcontractor use increase? Addressing these questions now, before the late December holidays, is a smart move. You can help clients avoid making last-minute policy changes during the busy season, or worse, forgetting to make those tweaks and then finding themselves underinsured.

Common Coverage Gaps Agents Should Watch For

Even well-managed marine accounts can develop gaps as projects evolve. Off-season reviews should include a closer look at the following risk factors.

Subcontractor Exposures

Marine contractors often bring in divers, welders, crane operators, or specialty erosion-control crews. Not all subcontractors carry strong insurance, and contractual risk transfer may be inconsistent. Agents can help clients identify vulnerabilities, make sure they’re adhering to evolving industry safety standards, and reinforce proper documentation.

Outdated Inland Marine Equipment Schedules

Equipment schedules sometimes lag behind reality. Barges get repowered, cranes get upgraded, and tools are replaced. If those updates don’t make it onto the policy, clients may face valuation issues after a loss. Off-season conversations make it easier to align the schedule with actual equipment on hand.

Liability Limits & Exclusions

As projects grow larger or more complex, liability limits that once seemed adequate may no longer fit. Likewise, exclusions that weren’t relevant earlier in the year may create uncertainty now. Reviewing limits and wording helps clients head into 2026 with clarity and confidence.

How Agents Can Add Value With Merrimac’s Programs

Whether you have one marine contractor client or a fleet of them, there’s never any reason to feel like you’re cast out at sea — not with Merrimac Marine Insurance at your side.

Merrimac Marine Insurance provides agents with specialized underwriting expertise and insurance solutions designed specifically for marine contractors. Whether clients focus on dredging projects, dock construction, pile driving, or shoreline stabilization, Merrimac offers programs built to address the unique risks of water-based work.

Agents can strengthen their relationships by leveraging:

• Industry-tailored marine contractors insurance options for high-hazard operations
• Streamlined renewal support that helps clarify changes or new work classifications
• Guidance for new project types, especially for contractors entering dredging, replacement projects, or environmental remediation

Strengthen Client Relationships Before Year-End

Reaching out in November and early December, before the holidays hit, demonstrates proactive service. Contractors appreciate agents who help them plan ahead, spot developing risks, and start the next season with a clear picture of their coverage.

Bottom line: It’s no fun to do this alone or to work with insurers that don’t understand marine contractors. Partner with Merrimac Marine Insurance to help your marine contractor clients start 2026 fully covered and confident.

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.