Why fishing is hard to insure
Working on deck in heavy seas, around winches, nets and moving gear, carries real dangers. Going overboard, crush injuries and hand injuries are serious risks. Long trips mean help can be hours away.
Underwriters know this, so they treat commercial fishing as a high-risk occupation. That does not mean you cannot get cover, but you may find fewer insurers and stricter terms than people ashore.
Insurers ask detailed questions about the boat, the type of fishing, how far offshore you go and how long you are away. Accurate answers help. Inshore potting or day boats close to the coast can be seen differently from trawling far out to sea.
Share of the catch and uneven earnings
Many crew are share fishermen, paid a portion of the catch after costs, and are self-employed for tax. Skippers and owners have their own business accounts. Income moves with weather, quotas, prices and days at sea.
Insurers who offer cover usually look at earnings over recent tax years. Keep settlement sheets, accounts and tax returns, as these show what you have earned across good and poor seasons.
Fishermen who also own their boat have loan repayments, moorings and maintenance to meet. Personal cover pays you, not the boat, so talk to us about business protection if the vessel carries a large loan.
- Tell us your role: crew, skipper or owner-operator
- Say what type of fishing you do and how far offshore
- Mention trip length and any inshore-only work
What restricted terms can look like
Where income protection is offered, insurers may use a definition that asks whether you can do any suitable work, not just fishing. Some may limit how long benefit is paid per claim, or set a longer waiting period. Inshore fishing on day trips may be viewed differently from deep-sea trips.
If income protection is not available, critical illness cover pays a lump sum on diagnosis of a listed serious illness. It does not cover injuries in the same way, but it still provides a safety net.
Some fishermen also hold personal accident cover through their boat insurance or a fishing organisation. It may pay a set sum for specific injuries, so check what you already have before buying more.
Life insurance for fishermen
Life insurance pays a lump sum to your family if you die during the policy. Many insurers will offer it to fishermen, sometimes with an extra premium for the occupation. It can repay a mortgage, boat finance or give your family time to adjust.
Write the policy in trust so the money goes to the people you choose without waiting for probate. That matters for a family relying on one income from the sea.
How Hi Tomorrow helps fishermen
We know which insurers are more open to commercial fishing and describe your work to them clearly. We look at life cover, critical illness cover and any income protection on offer, and explain the terms honestly. We will tell you plainly if a type of cover is not available.