Bermudian-based Axa XL and Oversea Insurance Agency, an Epic company, are teaming up to provide specialised marine general liability insurance coverage for marine artisans in the United States.

Allison Jolls, Axa XL’s product director for marine liabilities, said: “Marine artisans are the backbone of the ship repair industry.

“We’re working with Oversea to deliver an easy, tailored, and comprehensive insurance product that marine artisans can access entirely online. We want our customers to do what they do best without worrying about insurance and without getting held up by paperwork.”

Chris Coleman, director, commercial marine, for Oversea Insurance said: “Shipyards and marinas throughout the United States are continuing to modernise, and part of this renaissance is shoring up their contractor insurance requirements.

“Many ship repair facilities require proof of marine general liability coverage that meets their own contractual requirements.

“We wanted to create a product that leveraged today’s technology so that marine artisans can quickly provide this documentation using their smart phone. They will no longer be stuck waiting at the gate hoping that their insurance agent checks their e-mail, they will be able to get to work.

“A more efficient security gate results in faster project turnover within the yard, which ultimately benefits all parties. We are using the insure-tech platforms available to us as an Epic agency and Axa XL’s industry-leading coverage to build a better mousetrap.”

Axa XL said marine artisans are contractors who specialise in various areas of boat construction, maintenance, and repair including fibreglass repair, marine carpentry, hull cleaning, electronics installation and repair, marine HVAC and plumbing, and engine and machinery servicing.

Axa XL and Oversea Insurance Agency’s marine artisan product is a marine general liability/ship repairer’s legal liability coverage.

Axa XL’s marine insurance offerings include inland marine, ocean cargo, blue and brown water hull, P&I, as well as excess and primary marine liabilities.

Oversea is a fourth generation marine insurance specialty agency with more than 150 years combined experience insuring yachts and marine businesses. It has offices in San Diego, Fort Lauderdale and Hawaii.