At its annual board meeting on 29 October 2012, the board of the UK P&I Club (the Club), one of the oldest shipping protection and indemnity insurance mutuals, agreed that the general increase for 2013 renewal will be 7.5 percent.
The premium rating increase is in addition to any increase in the cost of the International Group reinsurance premium for 2013 for the mutual members, which will be determined in the New Year.
Recognizing the challenges faced by its members and the Club’s strong capital position, the Board has separately declared a Mutual Premium Discount of 2.5 per cent on the total mutual call for the 2011 policy year. The discount will amount to a 10 per cent deduction for all mutual members for the final instalment of the 2011 call due in December this year.
In an environment of increasing claims costs despite a shipping recession, the Club needs to keep premiums moving forward in line with the actual claims experience. The general increase is a step towards addressing underlying claims inflation, as well as the anticipated future rebound in claims frequency from what have been record low levels.
Dino Caroussis, chairman of the UK P&I Club said: “The decision to make a 7.5 per cent general increase reflects the Board’s determination to keep the Club’s underwriting in balance. The Board has made the decision for a relatively modest premium increase in the short term as opposed to more substantial and painful increases in future.
Shipowners are facing extremely challenging conditions. We are therefore pleased, given our strong capital position, to be able to reduce the premium on 2011 which was a good year for the Club. However, the Board feels it would be clearly against the interest of members if a club does not increase premiums in an inflationary environment and potentially create a problem for the future.”