Protection & Indemnity Insurance
Protecting you when your vessel creates liability towards others.
Some of the largest marine losses are not losses to the vessel itself. P&I
insurance protects owners and operators against a wide range of liabilities
arising from the ownership, navigation, and operation of a vessel worldwide.
What is Protection & Indemnity Insurance?
Operating a vessel can create significant liability towards passengers, crew, other vessels, marinas, port authorities, and the delicate marine environment. Protection & Indemnity insurance, universally referred to as P&I, is bespoke liability coverage engineered to respond to these multi-jurisdictional third-party obligations.
Hull & Machinery protects what you own
Fixed Premium P&I versus Mutual P&I
Many yachts and smaller operations may use fixed premium P&I structures, which can provide comprehensive cover with agreed terms and premiums. Larger or more complex risks may require access to specialist mutual P&I markets.
What can P&I insurance cover?
People & property
- Passenger injury or death
- Crew liabilities & MLC
- Guest property & cargo
Marine liabilities
- Collision liabilities
- Damage to docks & marinas
- Fixed / floating objects
- Towage liabilities
Environment & legal
- Pollution liabilities
- Compulsory wreck removal
- Statutory fines & penalties
- Legal defence costs (FD&D)
Why does it matter?
Liability claims can become extremely significant even when the vessel itself suffers little or no damage.
Passenger injury & high-value liability
A guest is seriously injured during a charter and makes a claim against the vessel owner.
Marina pontoon & facility impact
The vessel damages a pontoon or marina infrastructure during manoeuvring.
Environmental pollution & wreck removal
Following a serious casualty, authorities require pollution response or removal of the vessel.
These situations may create substantial financial liabilities. P&I insurance is designed to protect against these exposures.
Not every vessel needs the same P&I structure
P&I insurance can be arranged through different marine insurance markets depending on the size, activity and complexity of the risk.
The right Protection & Indemnity Insurance solution depends on the vessel, contractual obligations, trading area, passenger exposure and required limits.
For many yachts and smaller commercial operations, fixed premium solutions may provide an appropriate structure.
Larger or more complex operations may require access to specialist mutual P&I markets.
What do insurers look at?
Marine insurers will consider a range of factors when assessing P&I risks, including:
The vessel & people
- Vessel type and size
- Passenger capacity
- Crew structure
Use & navigation
- Private or commercial use
- Charter activity
- Navigation area
- Flag
Liability & history
- Contractual obligations
- Requested liability limits
- Claims history
Who is it for?
Private boats
Sailing yachts
Motor yachts
Charter vessels
Liability requires more than a standard policy
P&I exposure can vary significantly from one vessel to another. We review how the vessel is used, who comes on board, where it operates and what contractual obligations apply before approaching specialist marine insurance markets.
- 01
Understand
We identify your liability exposures.
- 02
Structure
We define appropriate limits and coverage.
- 03
Place
We approach suitable P&I markets.
- 04
Support
We assist throughout the policy and claims process.
