Marine Insurance
Protection against loss of or damage to ships, vessels and cargo during transportation, including risks associated with loading, unloading and transit, subject to the policy terms.
Get a Quote NowWhat's Covered
Hull & Machinery
Cover for physical loss or damage to the vessel itself, including the hull, engines, machinery and fittings, from perils such as collision, grounding, fire and heavy weather.
Cargo Cover
Protection for goods being transported by sea, air, road or rail against loss or damage from perils of the journey, including sinking, fire, collision and jettison.
Loading & Unloading Risks
Cover for loss or damage occurring while goods are being loaded onto or unloaded from a vessel, including handling at ports, quays and warehouses in the course of transit.
Third-Party Liability
Protection against legal liability for injury to third parties or damage to their property arising from the operation of the vessel, including collision with other craft.
General Average & Salvage
Contribution towards loss deliberately incurred for the common safety of vessel and cargo, and the costs of salvage operations, as provided under maritime law.
Freight Loss
Cover for loss of freight earnings if the cargo is lost or the voyage is abandoned, protecting the revenue you would otherwise have earned from the journey.
Why Marine Insurance Matters
The Sea Is Unpredictable
Vessels face storms, heavy weather, grounding and collision. A single incident can destroy an entire shipment worth far more than the freight you paid to move it.
Cargo Value Exceeds Freight Costs
A container of goods can be worth tens of millions of shillings while the freight cost is a fraction of that. Without cover, one lost shipment can sink a business.
Banks and Contracts Require It
Letters of credit and sales contracts frequently require marine insurance as a condition. Without it, you may not be able to secure payment or fulfil your trade terms.
Loading and Unloading Are Peak Risk Moments
Most cargo damage happens not mid-ocean but during handling at ports. Marine cover extends protection across these vulnerable stages of the journey.
Liability Exposure Can Be Enormous
If your vessel collides with another ship or causes a spill, the resulting third-party claims can dwarf the value of your own vessel. Liability cover contains that exposure.
Piracy and Theft Remain Real Risks
Cargo theft, hijacking and piracy are live risks on several trade routes. Marine policies can be extended to keep you protected where standard cover falls short.
How It Works
Assess the Voyage
We look at what is being shipped, its value, the route, the vessel and the loading arrangements to understand your actual exposure.
Declare Value & Choose Cover
You declare the full value of the goods or vessel on an utmost good faith basis and select hull, cargo or liability cover to match the risk.
Cover in Force
The policy runs for a single voyage, a specified period or an open cover arrangement, protecting you for every declared shipment in between.
Lodge a Claim
If loss or damage occurs, you notify us immediately, obtain a survey report and submit the shipping documents for assessment and settlement.
Types of Marine Cover
Choose the cover that matches your role in the shipment or your vessel's operation.
Cargo Insurance
Protects the owner of goods while they are being transported. Ideal for importers, exporters and traders who need cover per shipment or on an ongoing basis.
- Single voyage cover for one shipment
- Open cover for all shipments within a period
- Covers loss and damage from insured perils
- Based on CIF or invoice value plus margin
- Supports letter of credit requirements
Hull & Machinery
Protects the vessel itself. Designed for shipowners and operators who need cover for physical damage to their boat, ship or fishing vessel.
- Cover for hull, engines and equipment
- Collision, grounding, fire and heavy weather
- Optional cover for machinery breakdown
- Agreed value or market value basis
- Suitable for commercial and private vessels
Marine Liability (P&I)
Protection and indemnity cover for the legal liability side of operating a vessel, including injury to crew, passengers and third parties, and property damage.
- Third-party bodily injury and death
- Damage to other vessels and property
- Collision liability and wreck removal
- Pollution and cargo discharge liability
- Legal defence costs included
Who Is This For
Importers & Exporters
Businesses buying or selling goods internationally need cargo cover to protect shipments and to satisfy trade contract and letter of credit requirements.
Shipowners & Operators
Owners of commercial vessels, fishing boats and private yachts can insure the hull, machinery and operating liability of their craft.
Traders & Logistics Companies
Wholesalers, distributors and freight forwarders moving high-value stock by sea, air or road can protect goods for the whole journey.
Fishermen & Coastal Operators
Fishing vessels and coastal operators face some of the highest maritime risks. Cover is available for vessels, gear, catch and crew liability.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Under-insuring the cargo
Declaring a value lower than the true CIF value to save on premium is a form of under-insurance. In a total loss you only recover the proportion you declared, not what the goods were worth.
Not declaring the value before the voyage
Marine insurance is based on utmost good faith. If you do not declare the value and nature of the goods before or at the time cover is needed, your claim can be reduced or rejected.
Assuming all perils are covered
Standard policies exclude or restrict war, strikes, inherent vice of goods and poor packaging. Always read the exclusions and ask about the extensions you actually need.
Delaying survey after a loss
Surveyors must inspect damaged cargo promptly. Waiting too long weakens your evidence and can delay or reduce settlement. Notify the insurer the moment you notice a problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between cargo and hull insurance?
Cargo insurance protects the goods being carried, whoever owns them. Hull insurance protects the vessel itself. They are separate covers and you may need one or both depending on your role in the shipment.
Should I buy single voyage cover or open cover?
If you ship occasionally, single voyage cover for each shipment is simplest. If you ship regularly throughout the year, open cover insures all your declared shipments automatically under one policy and is usually more convenient and cost-effective.
Does marine insurance cover piracy and theft?
Theft at port and piracy may be covered subject to specific war and strikes extensions or a separate piracy clause. Standard cover alone may not include it, so confirm this if you trade on high-risk routes.
What documents do I need to make a claim?
Typically you will need the policy certificate, bill of lading or airway bill, commercial invoice, survey report, and a letter explaining the loss. Your broker or agent will guide you through the exact requirements.
Am I covered while goods are being loaded or unloaded?
Yes. Cover extends to risks associated with loading, unloading and transit, subject to the policy terms. Handling at ports and quays is one of the most common causes of cargo damage, so this protection matters.
Is war and strikes cover included by default?
Usually not. War, strikes, riots and civil commotions are typically added as optional extensions or written back into the policy for an additional premium. Tell us your route and we will advise what is required.
Who arranges the survey after a loss?
The insurer or your broker appoints an independent marine surveyor to inspect the damage. Do not dispose of or repair damaged goods before the survey has been carried out, as this is your key evidence.
Can I insure a shipment I have already sent?
Late declarations may be accepted in some circumstances, but cover is not guaranteed and the insurer is not bound to accept it. Always arrange cover before or at the time the goods leave.
Real Talk
One container of goods can be worth more than your shop, your savings and your year of profits combined. One storm, one collision, one mishandled crane drop at the port and it is gone.
Marine insurance is not a box-ticking exercise for the paperwork. It is the difference between a bad month and bankruptcy.
Ship it insured, every single time.
Marine insurance products are offered by licensed insurance companies. Coverage, limits, exclusions, and premiums vary by insurer, vessel, route and cargo type. The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute a quotation or binding offer. Please contact us for personalised quotes and advice tailored to your specific shipping arrangements.
Ship With Confidence
Whether you are importing, exporting or operating a vessel, get covered before your next voyage. One policy, complete protection.
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