Coverage requirements

Commercial & Underwater Diving Contractors

Construction & Trade Contractors81% completeness
Run gap analysis

Last updated August 2026 · Maintained and reviewed by the Advocate Insurance Consultants coverage research team.

Overview

What an adequately protected Commercial & Underwater Diving Contractors program looks like

Commercial diving contractors perform underwater construction work. Protection and indemnity and ocean marine hull are the leading exposures, including electrical shocks from underwater welding and expensive equipment aboard support vessels. Built around the exposures that drive commercial & underwater diving contractors, this Advocate Standard profile benchmarks Auto Liability, General Liability, Protection & Indemnity, Ocean Marine Hull, Pollution Liability, pairing limit and deductible standards with carrier financial-strength requirements.

Key takeaways

  • Spans 150 published requirements across 44 coverage type-peril pairs.
  • Applies to 2 asset types: Contractor, Industrial.
  • Covers 16 coverage types and 16 distinct perils.

At a glance

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Completion score

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9 of 44 WIM pairs required

Coverage tower

Required limits by coverage type and peril

Property8 coverage types

Fidelity Bond

Overall limit$100K

Business Income

Flood≥ Business Income Amount for Buildings in an SFHA
TRIA - Property≥ Business Income Amount
Earthquake≥ Business Income Amount
Named Storm≥ Business Income Amount
Water / Sewer Backup≥ Business Income Amount
Wildfire≥ Business Income Amount
Wind Hail≥ Business Income Amount
Overall limit≥ Business Income Amount

Physical

Flood≥ RCV / Insurable Value of First 2 Floors Above Grade + any Floors Below Grade of Buildings Located in an SFHA
TRIA - Property≥ RCV of Existing Structure / Insurable Value
Earthquake≥ RCV of Existing Structure / Insurable Value
Named Storm≥ RCV of Existing Structure / Insurable Value
Water / Sewer Backup≥ RCV of Existing Structure / Insurable Value
Wildfire≥ RCV of Existing Structure / Insurable Value
Wind Hail≥ RCV of Existing Structure / Insurable Value
Overall limit≥ RCV of Existing Structure / Insurable Value

Builder's Risk

Overall limit≥ RCV of Existing Structure / Insurable Value

Business Personal Property

Overall limit≥ RCV of Existing Structure / Insurable Value

Inland Marine

Fire≥ Value of Property in Care, Custody, or Control / Scheduled Inland Marine Value
Theft≥ Value of Property in Care, Custody, or Control / Scheduled Inland Marine Value
Water Damage≥ Value of Property in Care, Custody, or Control / Scheduled Inland Marine Value
Overall limit≥ Value of Property in Care, Custody, or Control / Scheduled Inland Marine Value

Limited Fungus

Overall limit$15K

Ordinance or Law

Earthquake≥ RCV of Existing Structure / Insurable Value
Flood≥ RCV of Existing Structure / Insurable Value
Named Storm≥ RCV of Existing Structure / Insurable Value
Wind Hail≥ RCV of Existing Structure / Insurable Value
Overall limit≥ RCV of Existing Structure / Insurable Value
Liability8 coverage types

General Liability

Overall limit$2M
Assault & Battery$5M

Auto Liability

Hired & Non-Owned Auto$5M
Owned Auto$5M
Overall limit$5M

Disability Liability

Overall limit$2M

Employer's Liability

Overall limit$2M

Worker's Compensation

Overall limit$500K

Pollution Liabiltiy

Overall limit$2M

Protection & Indemnity

Collision Liability$2M
Crew & Third-Party Bodily Injury$2M
Overall limit$2M

Terrorism Liability

TRIA - Liability$2M
Overall limit$2M

Requirements

Full requirement set for Commercial & Underwater Diving Contractors

Every requirement in the Advocate standard, 150 rows across limits, deductibles, carrier rating, and presence checks. Search and filter to drill in.

Group
Type
Peril

Showing 50 of 150 matching · 150 total

RequirementPerilRequirement typeApplicabilityRequirement
Property › Builder's RiskAcceptable Blanket Builder's Risk DeductibleOverallDeductibleBlanketBlanket Builder's Risk deductible must not exceed $50,000.
Property › Business IncomeAcceptable Blanket Business Income DeductibleOverallDeductibleBlanketBlanket Business Income deductible must not exceed $50,000.
Property › Business IncomeAcceptable Blanket Business Income Earthquake DeductibleEarthquakeDeductibleBlanketBlanket Business Income Earthquake deductible must not exceed 10% of the insured value.
Property › Business IncomeAcceptable Blanket Business Income Named Storm DeductibleNamed StormDeductibleBlanketBlanket Business Income Named Storm deductible must not exceed 5% of the insured value.
Property › Business IncomeAcceptable Blanket Business Income Wind Hail DeductibleWind HailDeductibleBlanketBlanket Business Income Wind Hail deductible must not exceed 5% of the insured value.
Property › Business Personal PropertyAcceptable Blanket Business Personal Property DeductibleOverallDeductibleBlanketBlanket Business Personal Property deductible must not exceed $50,000.
Property › Inland MarineAcceptable Blanket Inland Marine DeductibleOverallDeductibleBlanketBlanket Inland Marine deductible must not exceed $50,000.
Property › Limited FungusAcceptable Blanket Limited Fungus DeductibleOverallDeductibleBlanketBlanket Limited Fungus deductible must not exceed $50,000.
Property › Ordinance or LawAcceptable Blanket Ordinance or Law DeductibleOverallDeductibleBlanketOrdinance or Law deductible must not exceed $50,000.
Property › PhysicalAcceptable Blanket Physical DeductibleOverallDeductibleBlanketBlanket Physical deductible must not exceed $50,000.
Property › PhysicalAcceptable Blanket Physical Earthquake DeductibleEarthquakeDeductibleBlanketBlanket Physical Earthquake deductible must not exceed 10% of the insured value.
Property › PhysicalAcceptable Blanket Physical Named Storm DeductibleNamed StormDeductibleBlanketBlanket Physical Named Storm deductible must not exceed 5% of the insured value.
Property › PhysicalAcceptable Blanket Physical Wind Hail DeductibleWind HailDeductibleBlanketBlanket Physical Wind Hail deductible must not exceed 5% of the insured value.
Property › Builder's RiskAcceptable Scheduled Builder's Risk DeductibleOverallDeductibleScheduledScheduled Builder's Risk deductible must not exceed $50,000.
Property › Business IncomeAcceptable Scheduled Business Income DeductibleOverallDeductibleScheduledScheduled Business Income deductible must not exceed $50,000.
Property › Business IncomeAcceptable Scheduled Business Income Earthquake DeductibleEarthquakeDeductibleScheduledScheduled Business Income Earthquake deductible must not exceed 10% of the insured value.
Property › Business IncomeAcceptable Scheduled Business Income Named Storm DeductibleNamed StormDeductibleScheduledScheduled Business Income Named Storm deductible must not exceed 5% of the insured value.
Property › Business IncomeAcceptable Scheduled Business Income Wind Hail DeductibleWind HailDeductibleScheduledScheduled Business Income Wind Hail deductible must not exceed 5% of the insured value.
Property › Business Personal PropertyAcceptable Scheduled Business Personal Property DeductibleOverallDeductibleScheduledScheduled Business Personal Property deductible must not exceed $50,000.
Property › Inland MarineAcceptable Scheduled Inland Marine DeductibleOverallDeductibleScheduledScheduled Inland Marine deductible must not exceed $50,000.
Property › Limited FungusAcceptable Scheduled Limited Fungus DeductibleOverallDeductibleScheduledScheduled Limited Fungus deductible must not exceed $50,000.
Property › Ordinance or LawAcceptable Scheduled Ordinance or Law DeductibleOverallDeductibleScheduledOrdinance or Law deductible must not exceed $50,000.
Property › PhysicalAcceptable Scheduled Physical DeductibleOverallDeductibleScheduledScheduled Physical deductible must not exceed $50,000.
Property › PhysicalAcceptable Scheduled Physical Earthquake DeductibleEarthquakeDeductibleScheduledScheduled Physical Earthquake deductible must not exceed 10% of the insured value.
Property › PhysicalAcceptable Scheduled Physical Named Storm DeductibleNamed StormDeductibleScheduledScheduled Physical Named Storm deductible must not exceed 5% of the insured value.
Property › PhysicalAcceptable Scheduled Physical Wind Hail DeductibleWind HailDeductibleScheduledScheduled Physical Wind Hail deductible must not exceed 5% of the insured value.
General › AllDo Not Allow Premium FinancingOverallOtherAllPremium-financed insurance is not accepted.
General › AllDo Not Allow Premium FinancingOverallOtherAllPremium-financed insurance is not accepted.
Liability › General LiabilityElevated GL Aggregate for Subcontracted WorkOverallLimitAllContractors subcontracting significant work must carry a GL aggregate of at least $2,000,000.
Liability › General LiabilityExcess / Umbrella Required for Elevated WorkOverallLimitAllContractors performing elevated or high-rise work must carry umbrella limits of at least $5,000,000.
Liability › General LiabilityExtended Completed Operations for Residential ConstructionOverallLimitAllResidential contractors must carry a Products-Completed Operations aggregate of at least $2,000,000.
General › AllInsurance Carrier RatingOverallCarrier RatingAllCarrier must have AM Best rating >= A- and size >= VII.
General › AllInsurance Carrier RatingOverallCarrier RatingAllCarrier must have an AM Best Rating that meets the required Letter and Financial Size ratings.
Liability › Worker's CompensationStatutory Workers Compensation ConfirmedOverallOtherAllWorkers Compensation must be at statutory limits with Employers Liability.
Liability › Auto LiabilitySufficient Auto Liability - Hired & Non-Owned Auto Excess/Umbrella LimitHired & Non-Owned AutoLimitAllHired & Non-Owned Auto excess/umbrella sublimit must be at least $5,000,000.
Liability › Auto LiabilitySufficient Auto Liability - Hired & Non-Owned Auto LimitHired & Non-Owned AutoLimitAllHired & Non-Owned Auto sublimit must be at least $1,000,000.
Liability › Auto LiabilitySufficient Auto Liability - Owned Auto Excess/Umbrella LimitOwned AutoLimitAllOwned Auto excess/umbrella sublimit must be at least $5,000,000.
Liability › Auto LiabilitySufficient Auto Liability - Owned Auto LimitOwned AutoLimitAllOwned Auto sublimit must be at least $1,000,000.
Liability › Auto LiabilitySufficient Auto Liability Excess/Umbrella LimitOverallLimitAllAuto Liability must carry an excess/umbrella limit of at least $5,000,000.
Liability › Auto LiabilitySufficient Auto Liability LimitOverallLimitAllAuto Liability must carry a combined single limit of at least $1,000,000.
Property › Builder's RiskSufficient Blanket Builder's Risk LimitOverallLimitBlanketBlanket Builder's Risk limit must be at least the RCV / insurable value.
Property › Business IncomeSufficient Blanket Business Income - Certified Acts of Terrorism LimitTRIA - PropertyLimitBlanketBlanket Business Income (Certified Acts of Terrorism) limit must be at least the 12-month business income value.
Property › Business IncomeSufficient Blanket Business Income - Earthquake LimitEarthquakeLimitBlanketBlanket Business Income (Earthquake) limit must be at least the 12-month business income value.
Property › Business IncomeSufficient Blanket Business Income - Named Storm LimitNamed StormLimitBlanketBlanket Business Income (Named Storm) limit must be at least the 12-month business income value.
Property › Business IncomeSufficient Blanket Business Income - Water / Sewer Backup LimitWater / Sewer BackupLimitBlanketBlanket Business Income (Water / Sewer Backup) limit must be at least the 12-month business income value.
Property › Business IncomeSufficient Blanket Business Income - Wildfire LimitWildfireLimitBlanketBlanket Business Income (Wildfire) limit must be at least the 12-month business income value.
Property › Business IncomeSufficient Blanket Business Income - Wind Hail LimitWind HailLimitBlanketBlanket Business Income (Wind Hail) limit must be at least the 12-month business income value.
Property › Business IncomeSufficient Blanket Business Income LimitOverallLimitBlanketBlanket Business Income limit must be at least the 12-month business income value.
Property › Business Personal PropertySufficient Blanket Business Personal Property LimitOverallLimitBlanketBlanket Business Personal Property limit must be at least the RCV / insurable value.
Property › Inland MarineSufficient Blanket Inland Marine - Fire LimitFireLimitBlanketBlanket Inland Marine (Fire) limit must be at least the value in care, custody & control.

100 more requirements

Compliance

Who requires Commercial & Underwater Diving Contractors

  • Commercial and underwater diving contractors insurance is required by the marine, industrial, and infrastructure clients who contract underwater construction.
  • Port authorities, marine terminal owners, and infrastructure agencies require a certificate of insurance with additional insured status, protection and indemnity, and marine coverage before dive operations begin.
  • General contractors on bridge, pier, and offshore projects verify general liability, workers' compensation, and maritime employer's liability, while vessel owners chartering support craft confirm hull coverage.
  • Energy and utility clients financing underwater work require proof of coverage, and brokers coordinate the overlapping maritime frameworks because protection and indemnity and ocean marine hull are the trade's leading exposures.

Carrier standard. Carrier must have AM Best rating >= A- and size >= VII.

Advocate runs these checks automatically for the brokers who place construction & trade contractors coverage.

Exclusions

What Commercial & Underwater Diving Contractors does not cover

  • Commercial and underwater diving contractors insurance carries maritime-specific limits.
  • Standard general liability and shoreside workers' compensation may not cover divers who qualify as seamen under the Jones Act or workers under the USL&H Act, so confirming maritime employer's liability and USL&H coverage is essential.
  • The placement provides nothing for cyber, employment practices, or directors and officers claims.
  • Professional liability for dive-plan or engineering advice is not included.
  • The pollution exclusion applies to general liability, with the separate pollution line responding instead.
  • The cost to redo the contractor's own faulty underwater work is excluded as "your work," and vessel and equipment losses rely on ocean marine hull and inland marine rather than general liability.

Risk advisory

Typical coverage gaps in Construction & Trade Contractors

Commercial and underwater diving contractors operate under three overlapping liability frameworks: state workers' compensation on shore, USL&H at navigable waters, and the Jones Act for crew who qualify as seamen.

  • Confirm the coverage coordinates all three, because a diver's status determines whether workers' compensation, USL&H, or Jones Act maritime employer's liability responds, and a gap here can leave a serious injury uncovered.
  • Protection and indemnity and ocean marine hull are the leading exposures for owned support vessels, so verify hull values and P&I limits reflect crew and third-party liabilities.
  • Electrical shock from underwater welding is a signature hazard, so confirm operations endorsements.
  • Evaluate contractors pollution liability for subsurface releases and professional liability for dive-plan errors.
  • Schedule dive gear, compressors, and support equipment on inland marine, and match limits to project contracts, which frequently mandate high marine and umbrella limits.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What insurance do commercial diving contractors need?

Commercial and underwater diving contractors need general liability, protection and indemnity, ocean marine hull for owned vessels, maritime employer's liability or Jones Act coverage, USL&H where applicable, workers' compensation, commercial auto, contractors pollution liability, and inland marine for dive gear. Coordinating these overlapping maritime frameworks is essential, and clients require additional insured status before diving begins.

Does workers' compensation cover commercial divers?

Workers' compensation may not fully cover commercial divers because those who qualify as seamen fall under the Jones Act and those working at navigable waters fall under the USL&H Act, not state workers' compensation. Diving contractors must coordinate all three frameworks, since a diver's legal status determines which coverage responds, and a gap can leave a serious injury uncovered.

What is protection and indemnity insurance for diving contractors?

Protection and indemnity insurance for diving contractors covers third-party liabilities from owning and operating support vessels, including crew injury and property damage, exposures standard general liability excludes for marine operations. Because diving contractors work from vessels and face significant crew and third-party risk, P&I is a leading coverage alongside ocean marine hull for the vessels themselves.

Why is the Jones Act important for commercial diving contractors?

The Jones Act is important for commercial diving contractors because it gives crew members who qualify as seamen the right to sue their employer for work-related injuries, an exposure not covered by state workers' compensation. Diving firms must carry maritime employer's liability or Jones Act coverage so that injured seamen claims are funded, closing a critical gap in shoreside programs.

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About this coverage standard

This profile is maintained by the Advocate Insurance Consultants coverage research team, which maintains the Coverage Library benchmarks against the World Insurance Model taxonomy and reviews each standard against live market placements. It is general guidance, not legal or coverage advice. Verify requirements against the actual policy and contract.

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