Marine Hull Insurance
Protection for ships, barges, fishing vessels and their machinery.
Vessels face storms, groundings, collisions and fire, and repairs are expensive and slow. Marine hull insurance protects the vessel itself, its machinery and equipment, and your share of salvage and general average costs. We work with you on valuation, trading area and the right clauses.
Who needs it
- Owners of cargo ships, tugs and barges
- Fishing boat and trawler owners
- Dredger, ferry and inland vessel operators
What's covered
Hull and machinery
Physical loss of or damage to the vessel from perils of the sea, fire and explosion.
Total loss
Actual or constructive total loss of the vessel.
Collision liability
Your liability for damage to other vessels, as per the running-down clause.
Salvage and general average
Your share of costs to save the vessel and cargo.
What's not covered
We show you the catch before you buy. Common exclusions (exact terms vary by insurer and plan):
- Wear and tear and lack of maintenance
- Unseaworthiness known to the owner
- War and strikes, unless added
- Delay and loss of hire, unless separately covered
Popular add-ons
War and strikes
Cover for these risks, often required in certain waters.
Loss of hire
Income lost while the vessel is out of action after a covered incident.
Documents checklist
To get a quote or buy
- Vessel details: type, year built, flag, tonnage
- Classification and survey certificates
- Agreed value and trading area
- Crew details and past claims
To make a claim
- Claim form and policy copy
- Master's statement and log book extracts
- Survey report and repair estimates
- Port or coast guard reports, where applicable
Frequently asked questions
Is crew injury or pollution covered?
Usually not under hull cover. These fall under Protection & Indemnity (P&I) insurance, arranged separately.
Can fishing boats be insured?
Yes. Insurers offer hull cover for fishing vessels; terms depend on the vessel and where it operates.
Related cover
Fire & Burglary Insurance
Property cover for buildings, machinery and stock against fire and allied perils, with burglary cover for theft after forced entry.
ExploreSpecific Marine (Cargo) Insurance
Insurance for goods in transit, one shipment at a time: domestic, import or export, on all-risk or named-peril terms.
ExploreGroup Term Life Insurance (GTLI)
Employer-paid life cover for employees, as a flat amount or a multiple of salary, with simple group underwriting.
ExploreNot sure what you need?
Tell us about your family or business and we will suggest the right cover, in plain language.
Mon–Sat, 9 am – 7 pm