Due to the severe consequences of late reporting, if members are in doubt whether or not to report a potential claim, they are strongly recommended to do so. KPI’s general time bar provision gives a time limit of six months (rule 17).

P&I claims
The most common categories of P&I claims are

•         dry and wet cargo claims
•         personal injuries and crew claims
•         pollution claims
•         contact with fix and floating object
•         collision
•         dispute and fines

Within KPI all types of P&I claims are handled by the respective Business unit. A practical, hands-on approach to claims handling is supported by legal expertise. High authority limits and short lines of command provide for swift decision making, minimizing the impact of claims on members’ trading.

Closeness to members
Claims below USD 50,000 represent the vast majority of all claims reported to KPI. Our approach is to handle such claims in the most cost effective way, i.e. within our own organization, and in co-operation with the member. The best result is often achieved by combining KPI’s expertise within legal and technical issues with the member’s own knowledge of his specific trade.

Marine insurance matters may be extremely complex, involving legal processes dictated by national or international maritime law. When complicated situations such as arrests or major casualties arise, a KPI member can draw on the services of our experienced, highly skilled legal teams. Also in these matters, a close working relationship between KPI and the member is often of vital importance.

Keeping costs down
Surveyors or correspondents may be needed to collect important evidence or to provide other assistance on the premises of an incident, while external lawyers may have invaluable input contributing to defend members’ interests.

However, KPI has a policy of keeping external claims handling costs at a minimum. Before a lawyer is instructed, the member should always contact us in order to obtain an approval that KPI will cover the legal costs.