A classification society. It grants vessels their ‘class’ if the vessel meets the standards of construction, material and workmanship, and maintenance to be certificated as ‘seaworthy. ABS publishes the RECORD, an alphabetical register of vessels with detailed information on construction, dimensions, etc.

Liability insurers regard any US exposure as material and therefore all known exposures should be disclosed. The exposure may arise through: (a) having employees and/or representation in the US; (b) products exported to the US; (c) US business trips. The concern has its origin in: (i) strict liability in many states; (ii) jury awards; (iii) an established contingent fee system (lawyers work on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis); (iv) punitive damages awards; (v) liberal interpretations of policies; (vi) reluctance to take contributory negligence into account.

Marine policy forms and clauses that are the US equivalent of Institute Clauses. They are approved and issued by the American Institute of Marine Underwriters.

A New York-based association of marine underwriters. They discuss problems common to their business and operate many technical committees that produce marine forms and clauses.

A fund established in New York to hold all Lloyd’s dollar premiums, whether originating in the US or not, and from which dollar claims are met. The fund, managed for Lloyd’s underwriters by Citibank, makes Lloyd’s one of the largest customers of one of the world’s largest banks. Most of the fund is invested in US Treasury Bonds making Lloyd’s one of the largest private investors in the US government.

The difference between the face value of a life policy and the mathematical reserve that has accrued. The net amount at risk declines throughout the duration of the contract while the reserve and its cash value increase. The amount at risk is the sum that an insurer would have to draw from its own funds rather than the policy reserve in the event of having to pay a claim for death.

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Actuarial term for the difference between the sum insured and the mathematical reserve.

The sums contributed as general average contributions to make good general average sacrifices. The allowances or amounts to be made good are formula-based to ensure equity in the adjustment. With expenditure, the amount made good is the expenditure itself.

Payment of a claim in error by an insurer is recoverable if the mistake is of a fact, but not if the payment is by mistake of law. Failure to deduct excesses or apply average are mistakes of fact and can be recovered.

Support activities so closely related to the ‘Business of the insured that they are regarded as integral to it. The definition of ‘Business’ in liability policies extends to include ownership, maintenance and repair of premises, the provision and management of canteens, social, sports or welfare organisations for the benefit of employees and the insured’s ambulance, first aid (excluding medical practitioners) and fire services. The private work clause brings in a non-business situation, i.e. cover applies to the execution of private work by employees for any director or senior official of the insured.

For an insurer, authorised by the FSA to insure a principal risk under one of the general classes of insurance, it means a risk included in another class that is connected with the principal risk. Ancillary risks can be insured (a) when concerned with the object covered against the principal risk, and (b) when included in the same policy covering the principal risk. However, risks arising under credit insurance, suretyship and legal expense insurance cannot be treated as ancillary risks but legal expenses cover permitted as ancillary in travel policies, or when connected with the use of sea-going vessels.