Global Marine Insurance
Real-World Scenarios in Marine Coverage
Understanding the scope of marine insurance is easier when you see how it performs in real-world situations. For businesses navigating the complexities of global trade, challenges can arise from weather disruptions, port delays or cargo damage. For instance, a container of high-value electronics, insured under an Ocean Cargo policy, could be damaged due to a sudden storm at sea. Our experienced claims specialists would work with your business to support the assessment and claims process, helping you navigate financial impacts associated with a covered loss.
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Consider another scenario: a vessel experiencing a mechanical failure that requires immediate, specialized repairs in a foreign port. This is where a Hull and Liability policy becomes critical. Our global network and industry experience help facilitate the necessary steps, from assessing the damage to navigating local regulations, all designed to get our policyholders operations back on track with minimal disruption. These examples illustrate our commitment to helping your business build confidence today to take optimistic action for tomorrow, no matter where cargo is headed.
Why choose Zurich for marine insurance?
Since 1872, Zurich Marine has protected and promoted global trade through customized policies. Zurich is a global leader in marine insurance solutions, offering a wide range of marine policies in more than 210 countries and territories.
With Marine underwriters in 24 countries, Zurich provides the depth and breadth of local knowledge to orchestrate solutions to help protect cargo and commercial vessel needs. Our U.S. Underwriting staff have, on average, more than 20 years of experience. With 950+ Risk Engineers in more than 40 countries, Zurich is empowered to address unique transportation risks and provide insights to promote healthy business practices and reduce losses.
Our specialized global Marine Claims team responds promptly to support our customers when they are needed most. We pride ourselves on listening to our customer’s challenges and working with them to craft custom solutions. We can provide industry-leading insights and responsive claims support needed in today’s complex marketplace.
200+
Countries and territories
A+/stable
Rating from A.M. Best and AA/stable from Standard & Poor’s1
950+
Experienced Risk Engineers around the world
Ocean cargo
Zurich offers customized Cargo Insurance programs to protect goods shipped by all modes of transport: air, water and/or land. Our basic cargo policy covers goods and merchandise against physical loss or damage in the normal course of transit. Coverage enhancements include Foreign Inland Transit Work In Progress, Stock, Installations and more.
Our Specialty Marine practice provides experienced Underwriters who tailor coverages and enhancements to each individual risk. Hundreds of global marine specialists support our Underwriters, Risk Engineers, Claims and servicing professionals.
Enhancements to our basic cargo policy include:
- Domestic and foreign inland transit
- Warehousing/stock throughput
- Processing
- Installation
- Delay in start-up
Hull and liability
Marine liability provides solutions for companies with exposures in the marine and international shipping industry. This includes protection and indemnity, pollution, charter liability, port authorities, ship repairers and terminal operators.
As a leading Commercial Hull and Marine Liability underwriter, Zurich leverages out industry knowledge, global network and substantial capacity to tailor programs for customers in water transportation and maritime operations. We offer primary Hull and Liability coverages as well as specific Excess and Marine Umbrella coverages, including:
- Commercial hull and machinery
- Protection and indemnity
- Vessel builders risk
- Terminals
- Ship repairers
- Wharfingers/safe berth
- Stevedores
- Charterers legal liability
- Excess marine liabilities
A Proactive Approach to Managing Maritime Risks
In an unpredictable world, a reactive approach to risk is not enough. At Zurich, we work with clients to build resilience and proactively manage maritime risks. Our team of over 950 risk engineers and industry specialists provides valuable insights designed to help you identify and mitigate Maritime related risks and potential vulnerabilities in a customer’s supply chain before they lead to losses. This approach extends beyond traditional coverage; it's about fostering a culture of prevention that helps strengthen your entire operation.
From cargo handling and storage assessments to reviewing transit routes for potential hazards, our risk services can provide critical input and advice to support your own safety protocols. We collaborate with our customer’s team to share knowledge on key practices in loss prevention, helping them stay ahead of emerging challenges like climate risks and geopolitical instability. By focusing on proactive solutions, we help our policyholders protect your assets and build a more resilient business, ready to face the future with confidence. To learn more about our approach to Marine insurance, contact your broker or find a Zurich preferred broker to start the conversation.
Related industry and insurance
FAQs
Marine Insurance helps businesses navigate the challenges of shipping goods and materials around the world. A variety of logistic risks can impact interconnected operations in a dynamic global economy. Marine Insurance manages these risks that can lead to the loss or damage of the goods being transported.
At sea, on land or in the air, global trade presents unique risks that can harm your business. Our suite of Marine Insurance products helps protect your business’ interest against loss or damage during these perilous transactions.
References
1 Members of Zurich’s Preferred Distributor Program are exceptional distributors who share a deep commitment to our mutual customers and a thorough knowledge of Zurich’s products and services. They have demonstrated success helping companies of all sizes navigate the challenges and opportunities of a changing marketplace, and we’re proud to collaborate with them.
2 Rating as of June 1, 2025. A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s financial strength rating are under continuous review and subject to change and/or affirmation. For the latest Best’s Ratings and Best’s Company Reports (which include Best’s Ratings), visit the A.M. Best website at www.ambest.com. The rating represents the overall financial status of the individual member companies of Zurich in North America, including Zurich American Insurance Company, and is not a recommendation of the specific policy provisions, rates or practices of each issuing insurance company.