As insurance brokers we are here to help! Part of that assistance is our expert advice that we provide. So we thought it would be a great idea to ask our employees, “What is one piece of advice you would give your clients?” 

Mark Bononi- Director, Luxury Yacht Division 

Generally speaking, you get what you pay for. Typically, health insurance that has a lower cost will not have the same amount of coverage as one that costs more. If you are looking for health insurance that fits you best but you have a budget, seek advice from someone who knows what they’re talking about, and is experienced on the matter.

Edward “Mole” Telfer- Director, Cruise Division 

Providing a solid employee benefits package can be the key to attracting and retaining the industry’s best employees. Use a “Rolling Benefits Strategy” to build up your benefits over time.

Janine Jeffries- Director, Business Insurance Division

Give your agent a complete picture of the business and description of operations. Each business has unique attributes. The more your broker knows, or has a better understanding, the better we can do our job. Also, be sure to ask questions. You would be surprised how many needs are uncovered during a Q&A session with your broker.

Stephen Beck- Manager, Life & Health Division

I would advise our clients to not WORRY about “What if?” but to ASK about the cost of insuring themselves against each “What if?” that concerns them. Just ask, “How can I protect myself in the event of a ________________?” We have the answer.

Joanna Drysdale- Manager, Underwriting Services 

In our field, insurance isn’t just about protecting yourself against financial loss or covering your contractual obligations. It’s also about showing your employees that they’re valuable to you. Hanging on to a great bunch of crew season after season is worth so much more than the savings you make by skimping on crew benefits.

JW Haagensen- Account Executive, Inside Sales 

Disclose all current and past medical conditions when applying for insurance. Insurance enrollment forms are a contract and if you fail to reveal a portion of your medical history or provide incomplete information, the insurance company could cancel your policy. No matter how minor it may seem, it’s important to advise your entire medical history and keep a file.

Steve Jackson- Consultant, Yacht Division

Find an insurance broker who really knows their field. Having an understanding of the real life of a captain and his crew as well as the technical knowledge of the insurance industry is invaluable.

Clayton Swart- Manager, Business Development 

Whether you’re purchasing group insurance for your employees, insurance for your business or an individual plan for you and your family, it’s important to understand your policy. I know that insurance documents can be boring, but it’s really important that you read through them to make sure you understand the benefits and limitations of the plan. If you find anything confusing, it’s better to address those points before you need to use the plan.

MHG is here to help and provide assistance with all of your insurance needs. Whether you are looking for marine crew insurance, health insurance, life insurance, travel insurance, expatriate insurance or insurance for your business, we have the experience and knowledge to help you find the right policy. Please contact us at +1 954-828-1819 or +44 (0) 1624 678668 or visit us online at mhginsurance.com. Let our insurance specialists find you, your family, or group, the best insurance available for your budget.

First, let's define Commercial General Liability and Marine General Liability. 

Commercial General Liability Commercial General Liability policies protect business owners against claims of liability for bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury (slander and false advertising). 

Marine General Liability Marine General Liability policies are the same as General Liability policies except they are designed specifically for those who work at sea. These policies include coverage for Marine Contractors and others who work on or near water. 

All companies need protection from certain potential risks associated with operating a business that will provide coverage in an unfortunate event in which they are held accountable.  Broad-spectrum coverage for these risks is called General Liability insurance. General Liability insurance may protect your company and your interests against any of these unfortunate occurrences:

• Bodily injury;
• Property damage;
• Damage to premises;
• Personal and Advertising injury – this protects your business against oral or written advertised slander, libel, or disparagement ;
• Fire damage to the premises caused by the negligence of the insured.

When you carry General Liability insurance, the insurer may cover potential legal costs incurred by you, the insured, in the event of a legal claim or lawsuit. We live in a litigious society, making this type of coverage extremely necessary in the maritime industry. Marine General Liability is designed to protect against accidents or injuries that are associated with or have occurred on or around a waterfront, or in another marine setting. Marine General Liability policies provide coverage for the typical liability risks that businesses incur, which are covered in a standard General Liability policy, and may be written to offer additional, more specific protections that address the more unique needs and potential risks associated with maritime operation, such as:

• Liability absorbed when renting or leasing a boat or watercraft. Protection includes property damage to the vessel, as well as pier damage;
• Liability and hazards faced by marina operators, and includes property and structure damage protection;
• Liability met by terminal operators against loss or damage of cargo;
• Liability met by operators and owners of piers or wharves, covering damage to property of others while in their custody, including tugs, tows, cargo and equipment.

Marine General Liability coverage can be tailored to include employee benefits liability, international liability, stop-gap liability, and more.  It is essential to seek the advice and information from a trusted, knowledgeable broker, such as MHG Insurance Brokers. The team at MHG Insurance Brokers is well versed in the risks and coverage requirements of those who work in the industry. MHG Insurance Brokers works with you to determine your specific needs and budget, and will create a comprehensive liability package that will meet every one of those needs.

Your MHG Insurance Brokers representative will also work to get you the best price and assurance that your interests and good name will be fully protected. MHG Insurance takes the job of helping you reduce your risk and protect your business very seriously.  With over 20 years of experience, you can feel confident and trust the expertise of our highly trained and educated brokers.

It is our practice to assist you in translating complex terminology, clarify key features of the coverage you are considering, and help you assess and determine what your coverage requirements are. We apply our experience and take advantage of resources that we have built over the years to provide you with the best coverage from the most trusted insurers.

Going beyond that, we remain your partner in protection, offering our services to help you with questions, information, and claims assistance if and when you need it – at any time. 

Contact MHG Insurance Brokers to learn more about Marine General Liability coverage, by calling 954-828-1819, or visit MHG Insurance Brokers online at: mhginsurance.com. We look forward to being your partner in liability protection.

Whether you are a boat dealer, marina operator or own a yacht detailing company, you have unique needs and requirements when it comes to liability protection.  These requirements help protect your business against any lawsuits stemming from business operations. This is where the decision to obtain a Marine General Liability policy vs. a General Liability policy comes into play. People tend to lean towards a General Liability policy because it has a cheaper cost; unfortunately, because of numerous exclusions involved in a General Liability policy, the insured usually isn’t covered in the areas needed. Here are some additional helpful facts and tips about these two policy types:

• Learn the truth about General Liability – Did you know that a generic General Liability policy does not include watercraft coverage, including “the ownership, maintenance, and use of” watercraft owned or operated by you, the insured? Perhaps you would naturally assume this is covered – which brings up the fact that an experienced insurance broker could help you when it comes to the specifics of policy exclusions and/or benefits.
• Who the exclusions affect – Exclusions can affect a wide variety of people, but for the purpose of this post let’s specifically talk about boat dealers, marina operators, etc. If you fall into any of those categories, then you are aware of the frequent operation of watercraft that takes place in your business. Operations, such as employees operating boats, or doing any type of test or demo drives for a customer are also excluded under a General Liability policy. If anything happens during these types of “operations”, you are left vulnerable and uninsured.
• Another Interesting Exclusion – If you are considering purchasing an unendorsed General Liability policy, consider this: the “care, custody or control” of personal property of others is also excluded, meaning additional operations like boat repair, storing, hauling, fueling, launching and slip rentals are also uncovered.
• Part Installers Beware – Perhaps you are a boat dealer who also installs aftermarket equipment or parts on boats. Unendorsed General Liability policies contain a “your work and product” exclusion, meaning any claim related to the installation of your aftermarket part is also not included.

The bottom line is most General Liability policies exclude any work done on the water or vessels, while specifically obtaining a Marine Liability policy will cover you for any damages or liability to a third person engaged in marine operations. Remember, cruise lines and marinas require proof of appropriate insurance coverage before any job can begin, so make sure you have the right policy in hand. To learn more about the advantages of Marine General Liability coverage, contact an MHG broker today by visiting MHG Insurance or calling 954-828-1819.

At MHG Insurance Brokers we specialize in insurance plans designed specifically to meet the needs of marine employers, shipboard officers and crew, and contractors and concessionaires.  Because of the unique needs of individuals and groups at sea, choosing an insurance broker that understands the lifestyle and work environment is essential. 

Services offered by MHG can be tailored according to each employer’s needs with the secure knowledge that they are marine specific and supported by a team experienced in the marine environment. With our extensive market relationships and experience in the industry, we offer sound, independent advice as to which insurance and financial services providers and products are best suited to address the needs of individuals and employers.

Marine insurance solutions include private international health insurance, vacation health insurance, disability income, life insurance, short-term health insurance and retirement savings plans. Here is more information on the plans we offer.

MHG provides private international health insurance to all nationalities. Our extensive market relationships permit the design of international group medical plans that are tailored to each employer's specific philosophy and compensation needs. MHG also offers various benefit packages that can be combined for groups located in the US.

MHG offers short-term health insurance for contractors and concessionaires which provides coverage for emergency medical treatment, emergency medical evacuation, should the local facilities be inadequate and a number of other benefits. For groups requiring coverage for employees while on vacation, we can customize a plan to fit your needs.

Disability Income is an effective risk management tool for employers that not only enhances the value of compensation packages for employees but also provides peace of mind.  It can provide protection against loss of income in the event an employee becomes temporarily or permanently disabled while at work or on vacation. Coverage is available to groups of five or more and can be customized to fit your budget and benefit needs. With worldwide coverage for disability due to accident or sickness, these plans also allow you to select a waiting period and benefit amount while typically not requiring underwriting.

Let MHG Insurance Brokers provide you and your employees with peace of mind.  Group life insurance offers employees comfort knowing that in the event of their death their loved ones will receive financial support for ongoing expenses, funeral arrangements or children's education. For employers, group life insurance is a cost-efficient benefit because it is highly valued by employees.

MHG's investment team is able to provide cost effective, flexible benefit retirement savings plans which will help recruit, retain and motivate staff while providing the employer with maximum value for each dollar spent. As your specialist plan manager, MHG's role would normally involve consultancy, plan design, independent brokerage, investment planning and communication, installation and administration of the plan. We also provide consultancy and plan management services for employers with existing plans.

With over 20 years of experience focused on the welfare of crew, MHG has the knowledge to advise the cruise industry about its insurance needs.  Please contact us today at +1 954 828 1819 for more information on any of the services we provide.

If you are attending Cruise Shipping Miami March 13th-15th at the Miami Beach Convention Center, please feel free to stop by our booth #1893 located in the Ship Services and Hotel Operations section. Join us for a glass of wine during our reception on Wednesday, March 14th from 2pm-5pm.  If you still need tickets for Cruise Shipping Miami, avoid the $100 fee and register as our guest for complimentary tickets to the Exhibition Hall.