Continental Underwriters, Ltd.

Coverages

Builder’s Risk
(Marine Related)
Beyond stevedores, boat builders and ship repairers, a multitude of contractors find themselves involved in shoreside activities such as dock and pier construction or piling and foundation work. In these cases, a builder may seek the additional protection, underwriting and claims handling expertise of a firm experienced in the marine market.

Cargo
The protection of cargo, particularly in international shipments, involves a multitude of concerns. Relevant factors may involve the nature and volume of commodities, the condition of port and cargo handling facilities, national customs and political concerns, special climate conditions and hazards to navigation. In-depth experience on the part of the insurer is absolutely essential to securing quality coverage.

Charterer’s Liability
Charterer’s Liability provides coverage for risk assumed under the terms of a vessel lease called a “charter party.” Under such a lease, the ship owner provides a fully manned and out-fitted vessel for a single voyage (voyage charter) or for a specified period of time (time charter). Vessels are most commonly chartered to support oil and gas exploration or production, for scientific research or for corporate entertainment.

Excess Liability Coverages
Certain contracts may require a service provider to purchase additional limits to liability policies. Usually these coverages come in one of these forms:

	Following Form - providing additional limits under the same terms and conditions set forth in one or more scheduled primary marine liability policies
	Bumbershoot - providing excess non-marine liability insurance on a following form basis
	Umbrella - offering liability protection over both marine and non-marine primary policies on a following form basis
	Excess P&I - providing excess coverage which is limited to specific Protection & Indemnity policies on a following form basis.

General Liability
Continental Underwriters provides General Liability Insurance to marine-related companies and operations. This coverage provides the insured with protection from:

	Legal claims due to an accident or mishap on the insured’s premises
	Legal claims arising out of a marine-related operation

Coverage normally extends to completed operations, protecting the insured from claims made, for example, on a finished construction project such as a wharf or pier.

Hull & Machinery
Hull and Machinery Insurance covers all sorts of water craft from barges and towboats to crew and supply vessels, research vessels, huge oil tankers and a host of other commercial vessels.

This coverage protects hulls, machinery and equipment on board, as well as property damage due to a collision with another vessel. Additional coverage may be issued for risks such as Tower’s Liability, Strikes, Riots and War at the request of the owner. Factors which determine the limitations of coverage as well as the amount of premium include:

	Condition of the vessel (surveys are usually required)
	Age, size, construction, horsepower and value of the vessel
	Where the vessel operates
	Experience of the owner, captain and crews
	Loss history
	What the vessel is used for (type of towing, cargo, etc.)

Pollution
Regulation at every level of government to protect specific areas of the environment is of constant concern to responsible vessel owners. The legal expense resulting from an accident or pollution claim filed can be devastating.
Marine-related activity which involves cargo and/or machinery which is potentially damaging to the environment may require Pollution coverage. Hull and Machinery Insurance covers all sorts of water craft from barges and towboats to crew and supply vessels, research vessels, huge oil tankers and a host of other commercial vessels.

Protection & Indemnity (P&I)
Protection & Indemnity (P&I) Insurance stands as the major form of liability insurance for vessels. It protects against claims for bodily injury, property damage and specified pollution losses resulting from the operation of a vessel.

P&I coverage does not provide coverage for collision with another vehicle - circumstances usually covered under Hull & Marine Policies. In some circumstances, Excess P&I (protection in addition to the primary P&I coverage) may be required.

Typically, a P&I policy will cover:

	Loss of life, injury or sickness of crew, passengers and/or third parties
	Damage to cargo on board the vessel (excluded on certain river forms)
	Damage to piers, docks, jetties and other fixed or floating objects
	Wreck-removal costs
	Environmental damage and clean-up costs arising from fuel or cargo discharge
	Collision liability for amounts in excess of the vessel’s value

Factors which determine the limitations of coverage as well as the amount of premium include:

	How the vessel is used
	The age, size, construction, horsepower and value of the vessel
	The number of crew, passengers and other parties on board
	Cargo exposures
	Navigation limits
	Claims history

Ship Repairer’s Legal Liability
Contractors working to repair or renovate a customer’s vessel at dock, in a shipyard or on the water should have legal protection. Ship Repairer's Legal Liability covers:

	Damage to vessels, equipment and other interests on board
	Damage to the property of others which may be caused by vessels in the insured’s custody
	Liability of the insured while vessels are proceeding to and from the insured’s worksite

Stevedore’s Legal Liability
Stevedore’s Liability protects contractors against claims arising out of their cargo-handling operations. Any independent contractor or terminal operator who is moving cargo within terminal areas, off of vessels, trucks, rail cars or other conveyances should be covered in this area.

Tankerman’s Legal Liability
Tankerman’s Legal Liability protects contractors against claims arising out of their the transfer of cargo on and off of tanker vessels. Traditionally a high risk area because of the volatile nature and potential for pollution inherent to many types of cargo, Tankerman’s Legal Liability poses tremendous difficulties for many less experienced insurers.

Terminal Operator’s Liability
Because of the broad definition of “marine terminal,” which can include the material goods and activities surrounding wharves, piers, docks, stevedores, storage tanks and warehouses, the forms and underwriting concerns associated with Terminal Operator’s Liability vary tremendously. In very broad terms, Terminal Operator’s Liability protects against liability claims for vessels, cargo and property damaged while under the terminal operator’s custody and control.

Wharfinger’s Liability
Wharf owners purchase Wharfinger’s Liability to protect themselves against claims resulting from damage to vessels, cargo and or other property at their dock or wharf facilities as far as wreck removal expenses or downstream damage caused by a breakaway. This coverage is typically purchased by dock owners where non-owned vessels take on or discharge cargo, take on fuel and supplies, or tie up for any period of time.