British Marine specialises in the underwriting of insurance for owners of small to medium sized merchant ships, yachts and fishing vessels. A wholly owned subsidiary of the QBE Insurance Group, British Marine is in the unique position of offering fixed cost insurance backed by ‘A+’ rated security. Clients are secure in the knowledge that the premium they pay reflects their own risk profile and individual performance.

After several years of steady growth British Marine today provides insurance to a fleet of 12,500 ships aggregating about 12m GT. Small to medium sized merchant ships account for more than 90% of the tonnage insured with the balance being made up by fishing vessels and super yachts.

As the name signifies British Marine’s clients were initially drawn mainly from the British Isles but this has changed considerably over the years and today the company is truly international with operators based in most maritime nations.

Originally established as a provider of Hull insurance, British Marine today offers a broad range of insurance products to owners of smaller specialised vessels, either individually or combined. Click on the links below for more details.

Hull & Machinery (H&M)

Marine Hull Insurance covers physical loss or damage to the hull and machinery which constitute the ship itself. British Marine traditionally insures 100% of this risk and does not seek to restrict itself to writing H&M risks on any particular standard form but instead chooses to accept risks on either "all risks" or "named peril" wordings after discussion with the shipowner or their intermediary. Forms such as Institute Time Clauses (Hulls) 1983 or the Norwegian Plan can be accepted in conjunction with British Marine's Standard Hull and Machinery Terms and Conditions which themselves provide a framework for the administration and operation of the Policy.

Ships of different type and trade need different consideration when it comes to the scope and terms of H&M insurance. British Marine feels that accepting risks on a variety of forms in conjunction with our standard terms provides suitable flexibility to provide a bespoke service to ship owners and their brokers.

In addition to H&M insurance British Marine is also able to offer insurance for H&M War Risks and H&M Increased Value insurance.

Click here to open the H&M Proposal Form and Terms & Conditions (PDF Format)

Protection and Indemnity (P&I)

Protection and Indemnity insurance, commonly known as P&I, is insurance in respect of third party liabilities and expenses arising out of the ownership or operating of ships.

Risks covered include third party liabilities for:

• Cargo
• Collision
• Damage to or loss of property
• Fines
• General Average
• Personnel (crew, passengers or others)
• Pollution
• Towage
• Wreck removal

In addition, specialist P&I covers are available for:

• Charterer's P&I, Damage to Hull and Bunkers
• Confiscation
• Contractual Liability
• Delivery Crew
• Offshore Vessels
• P&I War risks
• Salvors Liabilites
• Specialist Operations
• Super Yachts and Yacht Crew

Click here to open the P&I Terms & Conditions 2009 (PDF Format)

Click here to open Charterers P&I, DTH and Legal Expenses Terms and Conditions 2008 (PDF Format)

Click here to open the Fishing Vessel P&I Proposal Form (MS Word Format)

Click here to open the Passenger Vessel P&I Proposal Form (MS Word Format)

Legal Expenses (FD&D)

Freight, Demurrage & Defence insurance (FD&D), is insurance against legal costs and legal assistance for a wide ranging number of disputes arising from the owning, operation, sale, purchase or building of a ship. Under an FD&D policy the insured is capable of being covered against legal and associated costs exposure but the policy does not cover against the principal sum in dispute. FD&D insurance covers a wide range of disputes, the most common of which relate to:

• Charterparties
• Sale & Purchase
• New Buildings
• Agency and Crew
• Contracts of Affreightment

Legal Expenses (FD&D) Terms and Conditions are included in the P&I Terms and Conditions (see link above).

Further transportation insurance is available from affiliated companies within the QBE Insurance Group.