Types Of Insurance

Builders Risk Policy Serves as Inland Marine Insurance

The US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled that, under Michigan law, a builders risk insurance policy is a form of inland marine insurance and is controlled by the statute of limitations applicable thereto. For our purposes, the decision is probably most interesting in its historical analysis of the insurance industry and the division of casualty insurance into two large groups: fire insurance and marine insurance. Under Michigan law, fire insurance claims must be submitted within one year of the casualty. All other casualty insurance claims are subject to a six-year statute of limitations. [Source: HK Law]

Must-Haves for Vessel Repair Contracts

By Fred B. Goldsmith From MarineNews August 2010 My last column addressed critical clauses in vessel charters. Since this issue of MarineNews is focused on vessel construction and repair, this column will focus on some, but due to space limitations, not all, critical clauses in vessel repair contracts. Work to be Performed Vessel repairs are usually an expensive proposition. The vessel must be taken out of service and thus is not generating income while being repaired

Report of First Drop in Ship Operating Costs Since 2002

International accountant and shipping consultant Moore Stephens reports an average fall of 2.0 per cent in total annual operating costs in OpCost 2010, its unique ship operating costs benchmarking tool. This is the first time since 2002 that OpCost has revealed a fall in total operating costs, which compares with the 15.8 per cent average increase recorded in OpCost 2009. All cost categories were down this time, except for crew costs

Mitsui Marine, Sumitomo To Merge By April 2002

Sumitomo Marine & Fire Insurance and Mitsui Marine & Fire Insurance agreed to merge by April 1, 2002, in a move that would create Japan's largest non-life insurer. With combined assets of $51.7 billion, the merged company will outstrip current industry leader Tokio Marine & Fire Insurance, whose assets stand at $48.5 billion. Analysts say the merger will accelerate consolidation in the sector, where competition is intensifying, due mainly to the deregulation of insurance premiums in July 1998

Understanding the Ups and Downs of Insurance

Business is cyclical, and nowhere is there more evidence of its cyclical nature than in the insurance market, characterized by ups and downs in insurance premiums, coverages and profitability. By most accounts, the current insurance market has been one of the most competitive in recent memory.  With intense price-cutting and expanding coverages, these conditions are typical of a “soft” market which is very much a buyers’ market

Admiralty Law Firm’s Insurance Rescinded

In an unpublished decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled that an insurance company could rescind the professional liability insurance of an admiralty law firm for material misrepresentation in the application. The law firm (noted for filing asbestos claims against ship owners, among other things) indicated in its application that none of its lawyers knew of any circumstances that could result in a professional liability claim

Sumitomo And Mitsui Finalize Merger Conditions

Sumitomo Marine & Fire Insurance Co. and Mitsui Marine & Fire Insurance Co. on Tuesday announced terms under which they will merge next October, creating Japan's largest non-life insurer with assets of 5.7 trillion yen ($51.6 billion). In a joint statement, the companies said 1.09 Mitsui Marine shares will be allocated for one Sumitomo Marine share. The merged entity will be named Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co. with Mitsui Marine president Takeo Iguchi and Sumitomo Marine president

Oversight Hearing on Terrorism Risk Insurance Program

The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs conducted an oversight hearing on the terrorism risk insurance program. The Honorable Brian Roseboro, Under Secretary for Domestic Finance of the Treasury Department, testified about implementation of the program. He acknowledged that there has been little “up take” of terrorism insurance, but declined to speculate on the reason. Mr. Richard Hillman, General Accounting Office (GAO)

Engstrom is Named Willis' Seattle CEO

Willis has named Chris Engstrom CEO of its Seattle office, one of the global insurance broker's leading U.S. operations. Engstrom brings tremendous local market knowledge and 16 years of insurance industry experience. He previously served as senior vice president for Wagle Insurance Companies in Seattle.

War Risk Insurance for Title XI Mortgaged Domestic Vessels

The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has issued its policy review with regard to commercial war risk hull and P&I insurance on Title XI mortgaged vessels operated exclusively on the inland rivers and intercoastal waterways of the United States and the Great Lakes. MARAD has for the time being determined to continue to follow its long-standing policy that waives the Security Agreement requirement for commercial war risk insurance for such vessels