Marine Insurance

Sidebar_image1 Sidebar_image1 Sidebar_image1
1 3 2 4 5 6
Sidebar_image1 Sidebar_image1 Sidebar_image1

Ten Elements of a Marine Insurance Policy Contract

A marine insurance policy is a contract between an insurance company and insurer whereby the insurer agrees to indemnify the insured in a manner, thereby agreed, against the marine losses.

A marine insurance policy contract has the following elements-

1. Features of a general marine insurance contract

All the elements of a general insurance contract exist in a marine insurance contract as well.

  • Proposal: The prospective insurance applicant prepares a slip at the time of approaching the insurance company. Proposal forms, so common in other insurance kinds, are unknown in marine insurance and only the ‘original slip’ is considered for the proposal. The slip can be accompanied by other important documents as per the insurer’s requirements.
  • Acceptance: Given to the insurer who accepts the proposal. But can’t force the contract legally until issued a marine insurance policy. The slip acts as evidence that the insurer has accepted the proposal and has also subsequently agreed to sign the policy as per the terms and conditions specified on the slip.

2. Consideration

Here, the premium is called consideration, computed on the basis of the assessment of the proposal form, and paid at the time of the contract.

3. Marine Insurance Policy Issuance

Once paid the Marine Insurance premium, the insurer issues the policy and sent it to the policyholder.

4. Insurable Interest

It establishes that an insured has an insurable interest in the subject matter in such a way, that he may benefit from the safety or the arrival of the insurable item or even affect by its loss or damage.

See: Reasons to buy a marine insurance policy

5. Utmost Good Faith

The insurance contract is based on the principle of utmost good faith. Furthermore, it means every person who enters into an agreement of insurance has a legal obligation to act with honesty towards the insurance company. It means a person should always be truthful and accurate while giving information to the insurer. Also, expects the insurance company to act in good faith while dealing with its policyholders.

6. Doctrine of indemnity

Marine insurance is an indemnity policy under which the insurer agrees to compensate for loss or damage in consideration of the timely payment of premiums.

7. Doctrine of Subrogation

The aim of this act is that the policyholder should not get more than the actual loss or damage. While settling the claim, the insurer has all rights to reduce the sum received by the insured from the third party.

8. Warranties

It is that by which the assured undertakes the responsibilities that there are some particular things which shall or shall not be done. Similarly, it means there are such statements according to which the policyholder promises to do or not to do certain things or to fulfil or not to fulfil certain conditions. Detailing these more stringently because the insurance contract can come to an end in the case, of breaking a warranty, even if the warranty was material.

9. Proximate Clause

It is a key principle of insurance and is mainly concerned with how the loss or damages happened and whether they happened due to an insured peril. The insurer will be liable to compensate for any loss or damage proximately caused by insured perils of the sea.

10. Assignment

It is feasible to assign the insurance policy unless it contains terms that expressly prohibit the assignment. A marine insurance policy can be assigned by endorsement thereon or in some usual manner.