February 26, 2026

As winter weather begins to ease along the Pacific Coast, commercial fishing fleets start preparing for the upcoming season. Maintenance schedules ramp up, crews return, gear is inspected, and offshore routes are planned.

But one of the most overlooked pre-season tasks is reviewing insurance coverage.

A new season often brings operational changes—new crew members, updated electronics, expanded fishing grounds, or higher vessel values. If your insurance program hasn’t been reviewed since last season, coverage gaps can quietly develop.

Here’s what commercial fishing operators should review before heading back out.

1. Confirm Hull & Machinery Values

Vessel values fluctuate—especially after upgrades or major repairs. If you’ve installed new engines, updated navigation electronics, reinforced hull sections, or added new gear, your insured value should reflect those improvements.

Underinsuring your vessel can result in coinsurance penalties or inadequate recovery after a loss. Overinsuring can unnecessarily increase premium. Pre-season is the ideal time to ensure your declared value matches market conditions.

2. Review Protection & Indemnity (P&I) Coverage

Crew exposures change from year to year. New hires, seasonal workers, or different fishing methods can affect liability exposure.

Protection and indemnity coverage typically addresses:

• Crew injury claims
• Passenger or third-party liability
• Certain collision-related liability

Confirm that crew numbers, operational details, and vessel use are accurately represented on your policy. Misalignment between operations and underwriting can complicate claims.

3. Verify Navigation Limits

Are you fishing in the same grounds as last season?

Many Pacific operators expand routes, target new fisheries, or operate farther offshore depending on quotas and stock movement. Insurance policies include navigation limits that define where coverage applies.

Operating outside approved limits—even unintentionally—can create serious coverage issues. If your fleet plans to travel beyond prior boundaries, this must be addressed before departure.

4. Schedule Fishing Gear and Electronics

Commercial fishing vessels carry significant equipment value beyond the hull itself. Nets, lines, pots, hydraulic systems, sonar, radar, and onboard processing equipment may not be automatically covered unless scheduled or endorsed.

High-value tuna purse seiners, longliners, crab vessels, and other specialty boats often carry gear worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Pre-season review ensures:

• Gear values are current
• New equipment is added
• Electronics are properly scheduled
• Deductibles reflect realistic exposure

5. Review Storm Damage & Salvage Coverage

Late winter and early spring can still bring strong Pacific storms. Mooring failures, dock damage, and grounding incidents remain common during transition months.

Confirm your policy includes appropriate limits for:

• Salvage and wreck removal
• Storm-related hull damage
• Emergency towing

These costs can escalate quickly following a severe weather event.

6. Evaluate Catch and Cargo Exposure

If your operation includes catch coverage or cargo exposure during transit, confirm that limits align with projected seasonal harvest value.

Market prices fluctuate, and underestimating seasonal value can result in significant uncovered loss if spoilage, fire, or transit damage occurs.

7. Update Underwriting Information

Insurance programs are built around accurate operational disclosure. Changes such as:

• New vessel acquisitions
• Ownership structure adjustments
• Expanded fishing methods
• Crew size changes

should be proactively communicated before the season begins.

Waiting until after a loss to clarify operational changes can complicate claims resolution.

Why Pre-Season Insurance Reviews Matter

The start of a fishing season is one of the highest-risk periods for fleets. Equipment is being tested, crews are reacclimating, and weather conditions remain unpredictable.

A short insurance review before departure helps ensure that:

• Coverage reflects current vessel value
• Liability limits match exposure
• Navigation limits are accurate
• Gear and electronics are properly insured

For Pacific Coast fishing fleets, preparation is not just mechanical—it’s financial.

If you haven’t reviewed your commercial fishing vessel insurance since last season, now is the time. If you also operate charter trips during part of the year, review our Charter Season Insurance Checklist.