Economy
How to Find The Best Marine Insurance Provider For You
For maritime businesses, the stakes are high, and the seas can be unpredictable. Whether you own a shipping fleet, operate a fishing company, or oversee marine logistics, safeguarding your assets with the right marine insurance is prudent. It’s also essential for the sustainability of your enterprise. Here are some tips for how to find the best marine insurance provider. By following these strategic steps, you can ensure your business remains afloat, even in the face of unforeseen challenges.
1. Assess Your Maritime Needs
The first crucial step towards securing the ideal marine insurance provider is a comprehensive assessment of your maritime business needs. To navigate the complexities of this industry successfully, you must understand your unique risks and vulnerabilities. Consider the types of vessels you operate, the nature of your cargo, the routes you take, and the specific challenges your business faces. By gaining clarity on these aspects, you’ll be well-prepared to discuss your insurance requirements with potential providers. Understanding your maritime needs also involves estimating the potential financial impact of various risks, such as damage to vessels, loss of cargo, or liability claims. This evaluation will serve as the foundation for tailoring your insurance coverage to ensure you’re adequately protected against these risks.
2. Research Specialized Marine Insurers
Maritime business demands specialized knowledge and expertise. Therefore, it’s wise to focus your search on marine insurance companies that specialize in this type of coverage. These specialized insurers possess an in-depth understanding of the unique risks and challenges that businesses like yours encounter regularly. They can offer tailored solutions designed to address the specific needs of marine enterprises. When researching potential insurers, consider their track record within the marine industry. Look for providers with a proven history of working with businesses similar to yours and a strong reputation for efficient claims handling. Customer reviews and testimonials from other marine business owners can provide valuable insights into an insurer’s performance and reliability.
3. Evaluate Financial Stability
The financial stability of your chosen marine insurance provider is paramount. As a business owner, you want the assurance that your insurer can meet its financial obligations, particularly when it comes to honoring insurance claims. Review the financial strength ratings and creditworthiness of potential providers to ensure they have the financial capacity to support your business throughout the policy period. An insurer with a strong financial foundation is better equipped to respond to large-scale incidents or catastrophic events that may result in significant claims. Evaluate their financial reports and assess their ability to handle claims promptly and efficiently, even in challenging circumstances.
4. Examine Coverage Options
The world of marine insurance offers a wide array of coverage options to address the diverse needs of maritime businesses. When seeking the best marine insurance provider, thoroughly examine the coverage options each insurer offers. Look beyond basic policies and assess their ability to tailor coverage to your specific requirements. Consider the types of policies available, such as hull insurance, cargo insurance, liability insurance, and specialized coverages like protection and indemnity (P&I) insurance. Ensure that the insurer can provide a comprehensive package that aligns with the risks your business faces daily. Don’t hesitate to engage in detailed discussions with potential providers to explore endorsements, riders, and policy enhancements that can further enhance your coverage.
5. Customer Support and Claims Handling
The quality of customer support and claims handling is a critical factor in your relationship with a marine insurance provider. Assess their responsiveness, accessibility, and willingness to assist when you need it most. In the event of a claim, you want an insurer that can expedite the process, minimize disruptions to your operations, and offer guidance throughout the claims journey. Inquire about their claims history and their ability to handle complex maritime claims efficiently. Seek references from other marine business owners who have experienced the claims process with the insurer to gain insights into their level of service and support during challenging times.
Conclusion
Finding the best marine insurance provider for your maritime business requires careful consideration and a tailored approach. By assessing your maritime needs, researching specialized insurers, evaluating financial stability, examining coverage options, and prioritizing exceptional customer support and claims handling, you can secure the comprehensive insurance coverage your business deserves. This proactive approach ensures that your maritime enterprise remains resilient and prepared for the challenges and opportunities that the vast seas present.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc kept the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange in the green territory by 0.04 per cent on Friday, July 16.
The securities depository company added N2.50 to its share price to settle at N95.14 per unit from the preceding session’s N92.64 per unit.
However, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc slid during the session by N5.85 to N141.81 per share from N147.66 per share.
But when the bourse closed for the day, the market capitalisation increased by N1.08 billion to N2.593 trillion from N2.592 trillion, while the NASD Security Index (NSI) appreciated by 1.80 points to 4,320.67 points from 4,318.87 points.
During the session, the value of securities slid by 38.9 per cent to N63.5 million from N104.1 million, the volume of securities went down by 34.5 per cent to 1.2 million units from 4.8 million units, and the number of deals declined by 15.4 per cent to 33 deals from 39 deals.
Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Plc was the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units valued at N8.4 billion, followed by Infrastructure Credit Guarantee (Infracredit) Plc with 2.3 billion units worth N6.5 billion, and CSCS Plc with 75.4 million units traded for N5.3 billion.
GNI Plc also ended the day as the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units exchanged for N8.4 billion, followed by Infracredit Plc with 2.3 billion units sold for N6.5 billion, and Resourcery Plc with 1.1 billion units transacted for N415.7 million.
By Dipo Olowookere
The bulls regained control of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited on Friday after surrendering power to the bears a day earlier as a result of mild selling pressure.
Yesterday, the Nigerian bourse rebounded by 0.54 per cent, mainly due to the gains recorded by First Holdco and others.
Data harvested by Business Post indicated that the industrial goods and energy sectors were flat, while the banking index chalked up 3.13 per cent. The insurance space expanded by 1.08 per cent, and the consumer goods counter rose by 0.21 per cent.
Consequently, the All-Share Index (ASI) went up by 1,316.52 points to 243,462.13 points from 242,145.61 points, and the market capitalisation grew by N850 billion to N157.057 trillion from N156.207 trillion.
The market breadth index was bullish during the last trading session of this week, printing 31 appreciating stocks and 23 depreciating stocks, representing strong investor sentiment.
First Holdco led the advancers’ log after it climbed 9.97 per cent to N95.95, Haldane McCall appreciated by 9.94 per cent to N3.65, LivingTrust Mortgage Bank soared by 9.73 per cent to N3.72, LASACO Assurance jumped by 5.26 per cent to N2.00, and Thomas Wyatt gained 5.10 per cent to quote at N3.09.
On the flip side, Red Star Express declined by 9.50 per cent to N20.00, Omatek slipped by 6.08 per cent to N1.70, C&I Leasing shrank by 5.93 per cent to N5.55, Jaiz Bank crashed by 5.03 per cent to N8.50, and Livestock Feed fell by 3.89 per cent to N8.65.
As for the activity chart, market participants bought and sold 685.9 million equities for N42.7 billion in 44,134 deals on Friday versus the 498.5 million equities worth N34.9 billion traded in 39,484 deals on Thursday, implying a rise in the trading volume, value, and number of deals by 37.59 per cent, 22.35 per cent, and 11.78 per cent, respectively.
Investors’ darling for the day was First Holdco, with a turnover of 225.9 billion units valued at N21.0 billion, Guinea Insurance sold 53.4 million units for N45.2 million, Zenith Bank traded 41.5 million units worth N4.7 billion, Access Holdings exchanged 29.1 million units valued at N720.6 million, and UBA exchanged 27.5 million units for N1.2 billion.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has appealed to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to deepen its sensitisation on the newly introduced Green Tax Surcharge Policy.
The chairman of APFFLON, Mr Akeem Ayobiojo, made this plea on behalf of his colleagues on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at the Customs House in Abuja, during a stakeholders’ engagement with the agency.
He also called for improvements in the administration of Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports and Post Clearance Audit and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Mr Ayobiojo stated that freight forwarders were happy to work with the customs, commending the organisation for implementing Chapter 99, describing it as a major relief for manufacturers.
He, however, emphasised that a deeper understanding of the new tax was necessary for his members, saying more predictable procedures would reduce delays and unexpected costs for importers and freight forwarders.
In his remarks, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, assured manufacturers, freight forwarders and other players in the nation’s trade sector that the NCS would continue to engage them on fiscal policies affecting their businesses, saying sustained dialogue remains key to resolving implementation challenges and improving the country’s trading environment.
He also promised them the service’s resolve to enhance and facilitate trade, acknowledging that, “Your feedback is important because it helps us understand what is happening in the field, and where necessary, we will take your concerns to the Federal Ministry of Finance and other relevant government institutions.”
Speaking about Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), Mr Adeniyi further explained that Nigeria would not lower the standards required under the Authorised Economic Operator Programme as the initiative is guided by global benchmarks established by the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
On her part, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs for Tariff and Trade, Ms Caroline Niagwan, clarified that electric vehicles can be imported without payment of duty only by holders of Import Duty Exemption Certificate (IDEC) issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance.
She also urged importers facing classification disputes to take advantage of the Advance Ruling system, noting, “Once an Advance Ruling is issued based on genuine documentation, importers have certainty on classification, valuation or origin before the goods arrive, thereby reducing unnecessary disputes during clearance.”
