Hull & Machinery Insurance — UK Owner's Guide
Institute Hull Clauses, agreed value vs market value, Inchmaree, sue-and-labour, deductibles, lay-up returns. How H&M is structured for UK and EEA vessel owners.
What hull & machinery insurance covers
The policy wording decides what hull & machinery insurance responds to, so the useful first step is to read the insuring clause, the exclusions and the conditions together rather than the schedule alone. Most disputes after a loss come from a condition that was not met, not from the headline cover.
For cargo and hull the conditions that matter most are usually the clauses the cover is written on, the declared values, packing and stowage, the trade lanes, and any survey or warranty the underwriter has attached.
What an underwriter asks for
A complete enquiry gets a faster and cleaner answer. These are the items an underwriter reads first.
- Commodity, packing and typical values per shipment or per vessel
- Trade lanes, ports and modes of transport
- Claims history for the last three to five years
- Current clauses and any contract terms that set the insurance requirement
How London Marine Insurance helps
Send the details through the form below. We review each enquiry by hand, ask for anything missing and come back within one business day with next steps or a clear no, so you are never left waiting.
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Tell us a few details about the operation and we'll come back with indicative terms within 24 hours.