You have landed that dream job aboard a gorgeous yacht and are excited about the places you will visit and the people you will meet, but did you ask your employer the important questions?  How and when are you going to be paid? Will taxes be taken out of your pay? And what about insurance?  Health insurance, disability insurance, life insurance? 

“Look at salary as one part of total compensation package including vacation, travel stipend, medical insurance, opportunity for continuing education, etc., as those are real costs and represent another $10,000-15,000 in additional benefits that many employers now pay,” said a chief stew in The Triton survey of crew members. Most crew members, about 70 percent, are paid monthly with the rest receiving their pay every other week. 

More than three-quarters of them receive their pay through direct deposit or wire transfer, most of the rest received a paper check.  Very few are paid in cash and they are usually on smaller yachts. The U.S. dollar is the most popular form of currency for crew pay, about 82 percent, regardless of where they work in the world.  Most of the remaining crews receive their pay in Euros. 

Nearly 70 percent of crew members do not have any taxes deducted through their paychecks.  However, you are still responsible for taxes due, if any, in your home country. Many US crewmembers are paid as independent contractors and receive a 1099 form for wages and tips earned and will owe taxes.

Many long-term US crew have created corporations, and in that case the yacht pays the corporation, which in turns pays the crewmember.  The corporation then pays all the taxes, travel expenses and health benefits, which can be advantageous.

If your employer does not provide health insurance you need to obtain your own, so you are covered in case of an accident or illness. MHG Insurance Brokers works with several insurers to provide you with the medical benefits that you need for your new career and lifestyle. We offer health benefit plans designed specifically for captains, officers, and crew. With several plans to choose from, MHG can recommend a plan specifically designed for an individual or a group. 

MHG also offers plans suited for seafarers who need spouse and/or dependent coverage. MHG’s expert staff can assist you in selecting the medical insurance coverage that best fits your situation. We offer worldwide medical coverage or the option to exclude the US and Canada for reduced premiums.  Plans can also offer optional term life and disability coverage, special crew member return benefits and out-of-the-country legal expenses.   If you are on a yacht with recreational water sports and scuba diving,

MHG has a plan to cover you. Do not let your dream job turn into a medical nightmare.  Life on the water can be hazardous, and in the unfortunate event of illness or injury, you need a quality plan. As a yacht crew marine insurance broker MHG Insurance Brokers offers a variety of comprehensive medical insurance plans to meet the needs of each client. Whether you are looking for crew insurance, travel insurance, or group insurance plans, MHG has solutions to fit every budget. Contact the experts at MHG to help you choose the ideal policy for your specific requirements. Contact us today at 877-278-7400 to learn more.

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.

You’re a member of a yacht crew because you love travel, challenge and adventure. From setting sail to exotic destinations and scuba diving in some of the most beautiful oceans in the world, to the innumerable perks of a great salary, life as a crew member comes with countless benefits. But with every incredible job comes some degree of risk, and for yacht crew, it’s being without the proper insurance to protect against on-the-job injuries and to help pay for doctor visits when overseas.  

Many first-time crew members mistakenly assume that their existing native health insurance plan will cover them when they’re at sea. More often than not, your home country’s policy will not protect you in international waters. 

If you become sick or injured during your time at sea, you will need to secure marine crew insurance to help ease the financial burden of doctor visits. Avoid expensive hospital bills in foreign countries by choosing the right yacht crew insurance policy for your unique circumstances. 

Not sure which marine crew insurance policy to buy? One of the most important factors to consider in this decision is which nation you’ll be working in.

There are two main types of marine crew insurance plans: one that covers workers in U.S. and Canadian waters, and another that covers every other country’s waters.

MHG Insurance offers a wide range of yacht crew insurance plans and international medical insurance for expatriates. Our customizable plans offer coverage for European crew members, those wishing to avoid the fees associated with maternity coverage, those seeking portable international medical insurance, members looking for dependent coverage and many more. Life as a crew member offers many glamorous perks. Take advantage of the benefits while being aware of the risks and protect yourself before you board ship with a quality marine crew insurance plan.