F vs. U – Understanding Longshore Class Codes

In the world of Longshore, nothing ever seems to be as simple as it should be! So, why should class code suffixes be any different?

In the traditional sense, if you look in NCCI’s SCOPE manual, or Bureau States manuals, you will see that “true” Longshore class codes, i.e. 6872F, 6824F, 6006F, etc. will have an “F” suffix.?It’s understood within the insurance industry that the “F” indicates “Federal” coverage.?

You will also see the “F” suffix attached to “true” Longshore class codes in the Advisory Loss Cost pages of NCCI’s Basic Manual. A footnote on these pages states “F Advisory loss cost provides for coverage under the United States Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act and its extensions. Loss cost contains a provision for the USL&HW Assessment.”

Seems simple and straightforward enough, right??Well, what about the “U” that shows up on the rating pages of some carriers’ quotes or policies??

Some carriers will attach the “U” to a standard State Act class code, i.e. 3724U, 5403U, etc. to indicate that the Longshore factor has been applied to that class code.

It is understood within the industry that the “U” represents “USL&H”. However, not all carriers will apply the “U” suffix. Many will still use the “F” suffix on their quote/policy rating pages to reflect the application of the Longshore factor.?

In either circumstance, the “F” or “U” suffix on your quote/policy indicates that coverage under the US Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act has been applied.

Below is a list of the 15 countrywide true “F” classes along with the 7 State-specific true “F” classes:

6801F: Boatbuilding--wood--NOC & drivers

6824F: Boatbuilding or repair & drivers

6826F: Marina & drivers--coverage under U.S. Act

6843F: Barge building--iron or steel--U.S. Act--& drivers

6845F: Shipbuilding--naval & drivers

6872F: Ship or repair conversion

6874F: Painting--ship hulls

7309F: Stevedoring NOC

7313F: Coal dock operation & stevedoring

7317F: Stevedoring--by hand or hand trucks exclusively

7327F: Stevedoring--containerized freight & drivers

7350F: Freight handling NOC--coverage under U.S. Act

8709F: Steamship line or agency--port employees--talliers, checking clerks and employees engaged in mending or repackaging of damaged containers--coverage under U.S. Act

8726F: Steamship line or agency--port employees--superintendents, captains, engineers, stewards or their assistants, pay clerks

9077F: United States armed service risk

State-Specific Classes

6006F: Marine pile driving, dock & seawall, jetty or breakwater, dike or?revetment construction--all operations to completion & drivers (FL)

6825F: Shipbuilding--iron or steel & drivers--coverage under US Act (MO)

6828F: Boatbuilding or repair--fiberglass only--& drivers--U.S. Act (FL)

6829F: Oil rig building--mobile offshore jack--up type--& drivers (MS)

6869F: Shipbreaking (OR)

6873F: Diving--U.S. Act (LA, OR)

8711F: Steamship line or agency--port employees--tallymen, checking clerks or employees engaged in mending or repacking of damaged containers (NJ)

We hope this provides some clarity on a topic that can be confusing to many. The world of longshore can be complex, but the experts at LIG are here to help!

?- Author: Tommy Bridges, VP of Business Development, LIG Marine Managers