Insurance contracts are personal contracts, i.e. they depend upon trust and confidence. Consequently insurance policies are not assignable without the insurer’s agreement. However, commercial and other circumstances dictate that marine and life policies are not considered to be personal contracts.

A section of a commercial legal expenses insurance to provide similar cover for directors, partners and key personnel and their families in respect of private matters.

A household contents extension indemnifying the insured (and resident family members) against legal liability for third party injury or damage resulting from acts or omissions occurring in a private capacity. Cover excludes liability arising from: business or profession; land or buildings; motor vehicles.
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The Policy for individuals in respect of legal liability arising out of their own negligence or the negligence of their family members. These policies are known as “Personal Policies”.

Pensions for the selfemployed and persons not in an occupational scheme. Tax relief is based on net relevant earnings. Retirement can be at any time between 50 and 75. A tax-free lump sum (25 per cent of fund) is available at retirement. If income drawdown is used, the balance must fund a compulsory retirement annuity by age 75. Personal pensions can be used for contracting out. The term also applies to retirement annuity contracts, set up before July 1988.

Part of the household contents definition generally specified as ‘valuables and personal items’ belonging to the insured or his family. Personal items are items worn, used or carried about the person in everyday life. Personal belongings exclude, inter alia: money and credit cards; mechanically propelled vehicles; bicycles, caravans, bicycles, etc; fragile items; business and trade goods. Money, pedal cycles and specified articles can be insured under separate sections.

Suitable personal protective equipment must be provided unless the risk is adequately contained. PPE must be maintained in good repair and steps taken to ensure that it is used correctly. The need for PPE must be assessed and information given on its use. A breach is criminal and a civil claim can be founded on a statutory breach.

For the purpose of ICOB, it is the advice given to a specific person (including the advice given to a group of people).

Under the Health and Safety at Work, etc., Act 1974 it means: ‘all persons at work, whether employers, employees or self-employed, are covered except domestic servants in a private household. The Act extends to many not covered by the previous legislation, e.g. self-employed, those employed in education, health services, leisure industries and in some parts of the transport industry.

Covers domestic pet owners against financial consequences (veterinary fees) of accidental injury to the pet, illness and third party liability. Comprehensive cover extends to loss or theft, cancellation of holidays, cost of advertising, payments of rewards. Death benefit does not apply to elderly animals. Domestic pet cover is not available for racing dogs, guard dogs, working dogs or dogs registered under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. See EXOTIC BIRDS; EXOTIC MAMMALS.

Typically a vessel that has no valid classification, i.e. it is not registered with any recognised ship registry and is used as a vehicle for fraud on cargo owners. In Nima Sarl v. Deves Insurance Co. Ltd (2002), the Court of Appeal disallowed the insured’s claim as the vessel, considered by the insurer to be a phantom, never intended to sail for the destination named in the policy. The risk did not attach.