Explain the following terms under marine insurance: (a) hull policy (b) cargo policy (c) freight policy (d) marine perils (e) average

Answer Details

Meaning of the terms under marine insurance:

1. Hull policy: This is the marine policy that covers loss of or damage to the ship or vessel itself, together with its machinery, equipment and fittings, against marine perils such as sinking, collision, stranding and fire.
2. Cargo policy: This is the policy that covers loss of or damage to the goods or merchandise carried on board the vessel during the voyage, protecting the cargo owner against perils such as water damage, jettison, theft and total loss.
3. Freight policy: This is the policy that covers the shipowner against the loss of freight, that is the money payable to him for carrying the cargo, which he would forfeit if the cargo or ship were lost before the freight was earned.
4. Marine perils: These are the dangers or fortuitous events peculiar to a sea voyage against which marine insurance provides cover, for example storms, collision, stranding, fire, jettison, piracy and barratry.
5. Average: In marine insurance average means a partial loss. It is of two kinds: particular average, a partial loss falling on one interest alone, and general average, a loss deliberately and reasonably incurred for the common safety of the whole adventure, which is shared rateably by all the interests saved.