Dredgers

Vessels involved with sprinkling or suction, which normally work in ports or inland waterways. Cover is normally granted under the Institute Port Risk Clauses covering: 1. Loss or damage, 2. Third party liabilities except in of respect employees. A dredger proprietor with a registered office in London must effect an employers’ liability insurance. However, insurance is not compulsory for injury or disease suffered or contracted outside Great Britain.

Driving of other cars (DOC)

A clause in the third party section of a private car policy permitting the insured to drive private type cars or motor cycles not belonging to him and not hired to him under a hire purchase agreement. If the insured parts with the insured car, the extended indemnity ceases to apply as the main indemnity then terminates. Occasionally, as an underwriting measure, the insurer may delete the extension.

Drop down cover

An excess layer, umbrella liability policy or excess of loss treaty that lowers, i.e. drops down, its excess point if the limits of the underlying layer or retention have been exhausted. ‘Drop downs’ are subject to annual aggregate limits. The insured/reinsured may be able to absorb a given retention level on one loss but additional losses need the added protection afforded by the drop-down. ‘Drop down’ covers may also pick up gaps in cover as may happen in umbrella liability policies and master global policies sitting over local policies. See TOP AND DROP.

Dry perils

The following are categorised as dry perils: aircraft, explosion, riot and civil commotion, malicious damage and earthquake. They are a group of perils, additional perils, that extend the cover under a standard fire policy.