marine insurance policies

Different Types of Marine Insurance & Marine Insurance Policies

The subject of Marine Insurance is very wide and encompassing, which is why there is a definite categorization of various types of marine insurance and different types of marine insurance policies. As per the needs, requirements and specifications of the transporter, an appropriate type or types of marine insurance can be narrowed down and selected to be put into operationThe types of marine insurance available for the benefit of a client are many and all of them are feasible in their own way. Depending on the nature and scope of a client’s business, he can opt for the best marine insurance plan and enjoy the advantage of having marine insurance.
The different types of marine insurance can be elaborated as follows:

• Cargo Insurance: Cargo insurance caters specifically to the cargo of the ship and also pertains to the belongings of a ship’s voyagers.

• Hull Insurance: Hull insurance mainly caters to the torso and hull of the vessel along with all the articles and pieces of furniture in the ship. This type of marine insurance is mainly taken out by the owner of the ship in order to avoid any loss to the ship in case of any mishaps occurring.

• Liability Insurance: Liability insurance is that type of marine insurance where compensation is sought to be provided to any liability occurring on account of a ship crashing or colliding and on account of any other induced attacks.

• Freight Insurance: Freight insurance offers and provides protection to merchant vessels’ corporations which stand a chance of losing money in the form of freight in case the cargo is lost due to the ship meeting with an accident. This type of marine insurance solves the problem of companies losing money because of a few unprecedented events and accidents occurring.

In addition to these types of marine insurance, there are also various types of marine insurance policies which are offered to the clients by insurance companies so as to provide the clients with flexibility while choosing a marine insurance policy. The availability of a wide array of marine insurance policies gives a client a wide arena to choose from, thus enabling him to get the best deal for his ship and cargo. The different types of marine insurance policies are detailed below:

• Voyage Policy: A voyage policy is that kind of marine insurance policy which is valid for a particular voyage.

• Time Policy: A marine insurance policy which is valid for a specified time period – generally valid for a year – is classified as a time policy.

• Mixed Policy: A marine insurance policy which offers a client the benefit of both time and voyage policy is recognized as a mixed policy.

• Open (or) Un-valued Policy: In this type of marine insurance policy, the value of the cargo and consignment is not put down in the policy beforehand. Therefore reimbursement is done only after the loss to the cargo and consignment is inspected and valued.

• Valued Policy: A valued marine insurance policy is the opposite of an open marine insurance policy. In this type of policy, the value of the cargo and consignment is ascertained and is mentioned in the policy document beforehand thus making clear about the value of the reimbursements in case of any loss to the cargo and consignment.

• Port Risk Policy: This kind of marine insurance policy is taken out in order to ensure the safety of the ship while it is stationed in a port.

• Wager Policy: A wager policy is one where there are no fixed terms of reimbursements mentioned. If the insurance company finds the damages worth the claim then the reimbursements are provided, else there is no compensation offered. Also, it has to be noted that a wager policy is not a written insurance policy and as such is not valid in a court of law.

• Floating Policy: A marine insurance policy where only the amount of claim is specified and all other details are omitted till the time the ship embarks on its journey, is known as floating policy. For clients who undertake frequent trips of cargo transportation through waters, this is the most ideal and feasible marine insurance policy.

Marine Insurance is an area which involves a lot of thought, straightforward and complex dealings in order to achieve the common ground of payment and receiving. But as much as complex the field is, it is nonetheless interesting and intriguing because it caters to a lot of people and offers a wide range of services and policies to facilitate easy and uncomplicated business transactions. Therefore, in the interest of the clients and the insurance providers, it is beneficial and relevant to have the right kind of marine insurance. It resolves problems not just in the short run, but also in the long run as well.