When a casualty occurs or a dispute arises, what a Member needs most is fast, expert and pragmatic support. Insurance is, in the end, a promise – and the claims service is where that promise is kept. The Ship Owner Marine Insurance Association’s global team of experienced claims handlers deals with disputes of every kind, around the clock and around the world, and our reputation among Members rests above all on the quality of that service.
An Exceptional Wealth of Expertise
Our claims team brings together an exceptional wealth of expertise – master mariners, lawyers, average adjusters and insurance specialists – providing appropriate and efficient legal support to Members, aimed at resolving disputes in a cost-effective and commercial manner. We understand that a claim is not just a legal problem; it is a commercial one. Our handlers work to protect the Member’s position while keeping ships trading, relationships intact and costs under control.
24/7 Emergency Response
Casualties do not keep office hours. Our emergency response service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing immediate assistance in the event of a collision, grounding, fire, pollution incident or any other casualty, wherever in the world it occurs. From the first call, a dedicated handler takes charge of the file and coordinates every aspect of the response.
A Global Correspondent Network
Through our network of trusted correspondents, Members have local representation in every major port worldwide – people who know the local authorities, the local lawyers and the local practices, and who can be on board or at the port within hours of an incident.
Early Case Assessment and Security
Every claim begins with an honest, expert assessment of its merits and likely outcome, so that Members can make informed commercial decisions from the outset. Where a ship is arrested or security is demanded, we arrange the swift provision of club letters of undertaking and other security, releasing ships from arrest and keeping cargo moving with minimum delay.
Cost-Effective Resolution
Our preference is always for negotiated, commercial settlements that resolve matters quickly and preserve business relationships. But where proceedings are necessary, Members have the full backing of expert legal representation, managed by handlers who fight hard and spend wisely.
Beyond Claims
Our claims handlers are also happy to assist Members at any stage of their contractual negotiations – reviewing charterparty terms, advising on clauses and helping Members avoid disputes before they arise – and to deal with general enquiries on any matter of a shipping nature. Whatever the issue, wherever the ship, our team is only a phone call away.
Why Work With Us
As a specialist marine insurance provider, we combine deep technical knowledge with a genuinely commercial outlook. Our Members benefit from competitive and transparent terms, cover that is tailored to their actual trading pattern rather than a one-size-fits-all wording, and a team that is available around the clock, every day of the year. We measure our success not by the policies we issue, but by the problems we solve for our Members – quickly, quietly and cost-effectively.
Get in Touch
If you would like to learn more about our claims service, request a quotation, or simply discuss your current insurance arrangements with an expert, our underwriting team would be delighted to hear from you. Contact us today by phone or e-mail, or complete the enquiry form on our contact page, and one of our specialists will come back to you within one business day. There is no obligation, and every enquiry is handled in strict confidence.