Marine Insurance for UAE Businesses
Protection for your cargo and vessels
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What's Covered
Marine Cargo Insurance covers your goods against loss or damage while in transit by sea, air, or land, from origin to destination. Marine Hull Insurance covers physical damage to a vessel itself, and Protection & Indemnity (P&I) Liability covers third-party claims arising from operating the vessel, such as injury, pollution, or damage to other property.
Who Needs It
Importers, exporters, and trading businesses moving goods internationally need cargo cover to protect shipment value in transit. Vessel owners and operators need hull and P&I cover as a standard requirement for operating in UAE and international waters.
Why Go Through Al Berwaz
Al Berwaz compares marine cover across leading UAE insurers to structure cargo, hull, and liability cover that matches your shipping routes and vessel operations.
Got questions? We've got answers
Straight answers to what importers, exporters and vessel owners ask us most about marine insurance in the UAE.
Ask Us a QuestionDo I need cargo insurance if the shipping line is responsible for my goods?
Yes, in most cases. A carrier's liability is limited under international conventions to a small amount per kilogram or package, and carriers aren't liable at all for many causes of loss, such as severe weather. Cargo insurance covers the real value of your goods.
How do Incoterms affect who insures the shipment?
Incoterms decide who carries the risk at each stage of the journey. Under CIF and CIP, the seller must arrange insurance for the buyer. Under terms like EXW, FCA or FOB, the risk passes to the buyer early, so the buyer should arrange their own cover. Check your Incoterms before each shipment so there's no gap.
What's the difference between Institute Cargo Clauses A, B and C?
They're the standard levels of cargo cover. Clauses A is the widest, covering all risks of loss or damage except specific exclusions. Clauses B and C only cover named events such as fire, sinking or collision, with C being the most limited. Most importers choose Clauses A.
Should I insure each shipment separately or get an annual policy?
If you ship regularly, an annual open cover is usually better. It automatically covers all your shipments during the year under agreed terms, so nothing is left uninsured by mistake. Single-shipment cover suits businesses that only ship occasionally.
How much should I insure my cargo for?
The standard practice is the CIF value of the goods (cost, insurance and freight) plus 10%. The extra 10% covers additional costs you'd face if the goods were lost, such as re-ordering and lost margin.
What's the difference between hull insurance and P&I?
Hull and machinery insurance covers physical damage to the vessel itself. Protection and indemnity (P&I) covers the shipowner's liabilities to others, such as crew injury, pollution, damage to cargo and wreck removal. Vessel owners and operators usually need both.
Are war and strikes covered?
Not under standard cargo clauses. War and strikes cover is usually added separately through the Institute War and Strikes Clauses. It's especially important for shipments passing through high-risk areas.
What should I do if my cargo arrives damaged?
Note the damage on the delivery receipt before signing, take photos, keep the packaging, and tell us immediately. We'll arrange a survey if needed and notify the carrier in writing. Claims against carriers have strict time limits, so acting quickly matters.
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