​​© Copyright 2023 Washington USL&H Assigned Risk Plan

Disclaimer: Neither the Washington USL&H Assigned Risk Plan (WARP), nor any committee, committee member, attorney, officer, or employee of WARP warrants the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of any information published on this website, nor endorses any content, viewpoints, products, or services linked from this website, and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on such information. Any person or entity who relies on any information obtained from this website does so at their own risk. The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.  Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This website contains links to other third-party websites.  Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; WARP does not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.

Readers of this website should contact their attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter.  No reader, user, or browser of this site should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this site without first seeking legal advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.  Only your individual attorney can provide assurances that the information contained herein – and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation.  Use of, and access to, this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader, user, or browser and WARP or any WARP committee, committee member, attorney, officer, or employee of WARP.

Washington USL&H Assigned Risk Plan​​

  • Do I need USL&H Coverage for the job I am bidding?
  • What is USL&H?
  • Does my Washington state L&I coverage include USL&H insurance?
  • Where can I find information about state workers' compensation coverage for Washington?
  • Who needs USL&H coverage?
  • How do I apply for coverage?
  • Is the Washington USL&H Assigned Risk Plan (WARP) the only option for USL&H coverage in Washington?
  • Is Maritime Employers' Liability (MEL) available through the assigned risk plan?
  • Is work on recreational vessels subject to the USL&H Act?
  • Is USL&H coverage available through WARP for employees while working in foreign ports?
  • How much does it cost for USL&H insurance coverage?
  • Where can I find a copy of the USL&H Act?
  • What are the penalties for an employer who fails to secure authorized coverage for the USL&H Act?
  • Where can I find a list of navigable waters?
  • Are waiver of subrogation and/or alternate employer endorsements available through WARP? 
  • What are some of the distinctions between contractors and subcontractors for purposes of the USL&H Act? 
  • What is the "vendor" exclusion stated in Subsection 902(3)(D) of the USL&H Act?


Q:  Do I need USL&H Coverage for the job I am bidding?
If you’re not sure whether USL&H coverage is needed for a job you are working on, or bidding to work on, please consult with a professional insurance Broker who is familiar with USL&H coverage and case law. USL&H Law is complicated and determined by a combination of where you are working (situs) and what your work is (status), as well as applicable case law.

Caution: The entity putting a job out to bid may not know whether USL&H applies to the job or not. Also, the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (State Act Worker’s Compensation) does not routinely have expertise in the USL&H jurisdiction, and may not know either. It is important to get an expert opinion before bidding, so that the cost of USL&H, which is generally higher than State Act Worker’s Compensation, can be built into your bid if necessary.

Please consult with your Broker, and if your Broker wants to, they can in turn consult with WARP or our servicing carrier. Please start by contacting us at our CONTACT US Email, located on this webpage. Be sure to include your Name, Company, Email Address, Phone Number, and a brief Subject message.

All inquiries should go through Katey Noonan, Executive Director, Washington USL&H Assigned Risk Plan (WARP), or through April Chanes, Sr. Underwriter, Alaska National Insurance Company, the servicing carrier for WARP. See CONTACT US for all contact information.

NB: Changes to payrolls, classification codes and jurisdictional determinations may be made by the Servicing Carrier before a policy is issued, during a policy term or after a policy expires. Applicant understands such changes may result in additional premium charges.

The Servicing Carrier (not Washington Labor & Industries or the U.S. Dept. of Labor) determines USL&H premium charges. Premium charges are calculated on the basis of the total payroll paid or payable by the Insured for services of workers who could receive benefits for work-related injuries as provided by the policy.

If you obtain USL&H Coverage through WARP, it is WARP’s responsibility to ensure injured workers get the appropriate benefits under the Longshore Act if they are so entitled.


Q:  What is USL&H?
USL&H refers to the United States Longshore and Harborworkers'  Compensation Act. This is a federal workers' compensation law enacted to  provide benefits for employees in the event of their injury or death  when working on or near navigable waters of the U.S. and engaged in  maritime employment. The Act excludes certain employment, such as masters  and crew members of vessels.

Q:  Does my Washington state L&I coverage include USL&H insurance?

No. Workers' compensation coverage provided by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)  does not provide coverage for the USL&H Act. Similarly, a policy  providing USL&H coverage does not provide Washington state workers'  compensation benefits.

Q:  Where can I find information about state workers' compensation coverage for Washington?
Information  about state workers' compensation coverage can be found on the  Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) website.  The Washington USL&H Assigned Risk Plan does not provide any state  coverage. See the Washington Department of Labor and Industries website for information for state coverage. 

Q:  Who needs USL&H coverage?
Here are some sources of information to help determine your coverage needs, but you may need to consult your own maritime attorney to help  evaluate your situation:


Q:  How do I apply for coverage?
Applications and additional details on applying for coverage are available on this website under the "Apply"  tab. All applications must be submitted directly to Alaska National Insurance Company, the designated servicing carrier. Applications are  only accepted from insurance producers who are licensed by the state of  Washington and who are acting as a broker for the employer. Licensed  producers who do not meet broker bond requirements should contact Alaska National Insurance Company for information on accessing the Washington USL&H Assigned Risk Plan.

Q:  Is the Washington USL&H Assigned Risk Plan (WARP) the only option for USL&H coverage in Washington?
No. In fact, applicants to the assigned risk plan are only eligible for  coverage if they are unable to secure USL&H coverage through the  private insurance market. We recommend employers contact their own  insurance broker to determine what insurance companies might be able to  provide USL&H coverage. A complete list of insurance companies  authorized to provide USL&H coverage can be found on the U.S.  Department of Labor website: Authorized Carriers

Q:  Is Maritime Employers' Liability (MEL) available through the assigned risk plan?
Coverage may be available for employers who have incidental MEL exposure. Check here for more information: M.E.L. coverage under the Washington USL&H Assigned Risk Plan 

Q:  Is work on recreational vessels subject to the USL&H Act?
It depends. The USL&H Act § 902 excludes  "individuals employed to build any recreational vessel under sixty-five  feet in length, or individuals employed to repair any recreational  vessel, or to dismantle any part of a recreational vessel in connection  with the repair of such vessel..." However, the  USL&H Act includes individuals building recreational vessels 65' or  longer or dismantling a recreational vessel when it is not in  connection with the repair of that vessel.


Work, such as repair  or installation of equipment, on recreational vessels may be subject to  the USL&H Act if the vessel is chartered with a skipper or crew on  "more than an infrequent basis" or chartered as a bareboat with more  than 12 passengers. Additionally, workers who perform work on both recreational vessels under 65’ and commercial vessels may be subject to the USL&H Act, even for those periods of time when they are working on recreational vessels under 65’.


Regulations that define "recreational vessel" can be found by referencing § 701.501 "Definitions  and Use of Terms" for the USL&H Act as published by the Office of  Workers' Compensation Programs, Department of Labor.

Q: Is USL&H coverage available through WARP for employees while working in foreign ports?
No.  The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that, although the USL&H  Act applies on the high seas subject to certain conditions, the Act does not  apply to U.S. workers while working in the territorial waters of other  countries. Therefore, USL&H coverage is not available through WARP for work in foreign ports. A copy of the Ninth Circuit decision (Keller v. Tracy) can be downloaded here: USL&H Act Does Not Extend To Foreign Ports.

Q:  How much does it cost for USL&H insurance coverage?
The cost is based on the nature of an employer's business operations.  Premium charges are primarily based on payroll and rates per $100 of  payroll as shown in the rate pages (see "Rates & Class Codes" tab on this website).   An estimate of the cost can only be determined by submitting an  application to Alaska National Insurance Company where an employer's  operations, insurance coverage options, claim history and eligibility  are reviewed by an underwriter who can then provide an  estimated premium. Additional cost  information can be found in the "Miscellaneous Values" and detailed  "Premium and Payroll Rules" which can be downloaded here "Premium and Payroll Rules" or by using the link located on the "Apply" tab on this website.

Q:  Where can I find a copy of the USL&H Act?
The U.S. Department of Labor provides this information on their website: U.S. Department of Labor, USL&H Act

Q: What are the penalties for an employer who fails to secure authorized coverage for the USL&H Act?
The requirement for employers to secure coverage is in §932 of the USL&H Act and the penalties for non-compliance are found in §938 of the USL&H Act. If the employer is not insured, an injured employee may elect, pursuant to §905 of the USL&H Act to either claim compensation under the Act or sue for damages for  his/her injury under general tort law. In addition, corporate officers  may be held personally liable for payment of compensation and subject to  fine or imprisonment for failure to secure coverage. An example of  multi-million dollar liability for a vessel owner failing to secure  USL&H coverage can be found in McLay v. M/V Sahara, which can be downloaded here: Repercussions for Failing to Secure Authorized USL&H Act Coverage.

Q:  Where can I find a list of navigable waters?
The USL&H Act states that the Act applies to disability or death resulting from an injury occurring upon the navigable waters of the United States, but there is no determinative list of navigable waters covered under the USL&H Act. Often the U.S. Coast Guard list of “navigability determinations” is used as a guide, but  navigability determinations made by the Coast Guard are only for the  purpose of exercising Coast Guard authority and jurisdiction. They  should not be construed as determinative of jurisdiction for USL&H  purposes.


There is a plethora of court decisions that discuss whether an injury occurred on navigable waters as contemplated by the Act. Courts  have held that bodies of water much smaller than lakes and rivers may constitute navigable waters; even shallow streams that are traversable  only by canoe have met the test. An insurance broker, along with legal counsel, can provide advice to an employer as to whether the Act applies  to the employer's business activities. 

Q:   Are wavier of subrogation and/or alternate employer endorsements  available through the Washington USL&H Assigned Risk Plan?
A waiver of subrogation endorsement and an alternate employer  endorsement are required for Human Resource companies. Subject to  certain underwriting restrictions these endorsements are available as an  option for other employers. Additional information on endorsements is provided in this download: "Endorsements". 

Q:  What are some of the distinctions between contractors and subcontractors for purposes of the USL&H Act?
Under§904(a) of the USL&H Act, a contractor might be held liable for a subcontractor’s employees if the subcontractor fails to secure the required USL&H coverage. As such it is important to determine when a subcontractor relationship exists when determining liability under the USL&H Act.


For the contractor’s statutory-employer protections of Section 904(a) of the USL&H Act to apply to a subcontractor, there must be (1) a third party, (2) a contractor, and (3) a subcontractor status with a “two contract” relationship.  This is where a contractor passes along part of its own contractual obligation to a subcontractor.  In other words, the contractor is one who has a contractual obligation to a third party, a portion of which he subcontracts to another, his subcontractor.  In this circumstance, the USL&H insurance purchased by the contractor might protect the subcontractor. 


For example:  A vessel owner contracts with a shipyard for maintenance and repair of the vessel.  The shipyard performs most of the work but hires an independent contractor to perform electrical work on the vessel.  If an employee of the electrical contractor is injured, the shipyard’s USL&H insurer might pay benefits on behalf of the electrical contractor if the contractor did not purchase its own USL&H insurance.


The above example should not be construed to apply to all situations.  There are many factors that a court or the Benefits Review Board would consider in determining whether a contractor’s USL&H insurance coverage would protect a subcontractor.
A Benefits Review Board Decision further describes some of the distinctions between contractors and subcontractors and can be downloaded here:  Boyd v. Newport News.


You  should consult with a knowledgeable marine insurance broker or maritime  attorney to determine the USL&H insurance needs for contractors and subcontractors.

Q: What is the “vendor” exclusion stated in Subsection 902(3)(D) of the USL&H Act?
Subsection 902(3)(D) of the USL&H Act states that a vendor’s employee is not subject to the USL&H Act if the employee is (i) is temporarily performing services on the premises of a maritime business; (ii) is not engaged in work normally performed by employees of that maritime business; and (iii) is covered by a state’s workers’ compensation program.


The Congressional Record  developed during the adoption by Congress of the supplier, transporter, and vendor exclusions to the USL&H Act emphasizes that these  exclusions are to be narrowly construed.


Regardless of the language of this Subsection applying to services, courts and administrative agencies have inconsistently interpreted the exclusion to the sale of products as well as services.  Because of these rulings, there is no situation where the vendor exclusion would be applied with certainty.


The Benefits Review Board in Daul v. Petroleum Communications, Inc., C.A.5 1999, 196 F.3d 611; BRB No. 97-1055, stated that the vendor exclusion applies to an employer and its employee whose primary purpose is to sell a product.  The BRB stated that if the primary purpose of the employer is to sell a service, the vendor exclusion would not apply.  (This is inconsistent with the wording of the USL&H Act vendor exclusion.)


The US Department of Labor Longshore Deskbook describes:

  • A carpenter providing a carpentry service, not a product, on an addition to a shipyard facility for a 6-month period. The vendor exclusion did not apply and the injured employee was entitled to benefits under the USL&H Act. As the BRB stated, application of the vendor exclusion to these facts would result in the exclusion of any workers employed by a subcontractor to perform construction work at a shipyard, if that yard did not directly employ such workers. Ripley v. Century Concrete Services, 23 BRBS 336 (1990).
  • An employee of a company that delivered maintenance and cleaning chemicals to vessels and the supplies were loaded onto the vessels by the ship’s crew. Even though the claimant hand-delivered the supplies on occasion, the vendor exclusion applied and the injured employee was not entitled to USL&H Act benefits. Felt v. San Pedro Tomco, 25 BRBS 362 (1992).
  • A truck driver who delivered groceries to a maritime site and shared some of the unloading duties of the dock crew; the vendor exclusion did not apply. Jacobs v. G & J Land & Marine Food Distrib., 48 BRBS 9 (2014).


Frequently Asked Questions