FD&D Insurance

Do you want to protect your interests and assets with the world’s largest team of specialist Freight, Demurrage and Defence (FD&D) lawyers?

You’ll benefit from industry-leading support from our global team of fully qualified lawyers. They handle FD&D claims and enquiries exclusively, and will provide you with direct and immediate specialist legal advice.

Want to know more?

Contact Katherine Birchall or Steven Cockburn on +44 191 232 5221.

What We Offer

FD&D provides you with cover for legal costs and expenses in relation to claims which are not otherwise insured. We will help you to defend improper claims and to pursue proper claims to safeguard your assets.

The scope of our cover is very wide. It provides you with legal support and costs insurance to deal with a large variety of differing types of claims and enquiries. Further details of the types of issue we deal with are provided below. With few exceptions, there’s no rules limit on our FD&D cover.

You’ll also receive close support in your day-to-day operations. Whether you need help to review a contract, draft a specific provision, or require advice on an emerging issue, our specialist lawyers will make sure you’re protected legally and, of course, consider your commercial position.

In 2020, our dedicated FD&D team received over 5,500 claims and enquiries, the vast majority of which were handled in-house.

In addition, you’ll enjoy a range of proactive measures to help prevent disputes from arising. This support ranges from providing you with legal articles and updates to training and development activities, such as seminars and workshops.

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FD&D: On Your Side

Our commitment to, and delivery of, service excellence means that our Members and their brokers know they have a first class team supporting their business.

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What We Do

We see a huge variety of differing types of claims and enquiries, including issues relating to:

FD&D: Key Areas

Bills of lading

Breach of charter

Bunker quantity & quality

Crew claims

Cyber crimes

Damage to hull, machinery & equipment

Delivery & redelivery

Detentions

Freight / deadfreight

Hire

Infectious diseases

Lawfulness of orders

Laytime & demurrage

Letters of indemnity

Loading & discharging of cargo

Maintenance issues

MOA / newbuild contracts

Permissible cargos

Sanctions

Speed & consumption

Stevedore damage

Trading ranges & rights

FD&D Insurance FAQ's

What is FD&D cover?

Freight, Demurrage and Defence cover, commonly known as FD&D, is discretionary insurance that includes the legal costs of pursuing proper claims and defending improper claims, which are not otherwise insured by P&I. With a few exceptions there is a no rules limit on FD&D cover. North’s team of specialist lawyers are on hand to help you safeguard your assets.

What is the scope of FD&D cover?

The disputes covered under FD&D include, bills of lading, cyber crimes, bunker quantity and quality, freight/dead freight, infectious diseases and lawfulness of orders. The cover also includes breach of charter, damage to the hull, machinery & equipment, plus much more, outlined under our FD&D key expertise areas. It is important to note that the cover provided relates only to the legal and other allied expenses involved in the dispute, not the liability itself. You should never be put off by a claim so please consult with our FD&D team to get direct and immediate specialist legal advice.

Who will handle my FD&D Claims?

North has the largest dedicated FD&D team worldwide. Our team of 45 qualified lawyers ensure that our Members receive immediate legal advice and support from the inception of their claim or enquiry until its conclusion, whether through settlement or legal process. Our lawyers are experts in their field of law and our Members know that we often have more experience in specialist FD&D matters than any other organisation. We have very close relationships with our Members who know and trust our team.

What do North’s FD&D team offer?

North is a leading global marine insurer, with over 160 years of history in the industry and an experienced team of 45 specialist FD&D lawyers. During this time we have continued our purpose of enabling our Members to trade with confidence through our advice, guidance and claims handling expertise. We care about our Members and their business, giving them immediate access to lawyers who can handle enquiries, claims and provide commercial and pragmatic legal advice when needed. Over time we have grown in size, experience, capacity and service. North’s global team is built with your business in mind, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.

FD&D Rule Book (2022 - 2023)

Your guide to Freight, Demurrage and Defence (FD&D) cover for shipowners and charterers worldwide.

Our Team

Our in-house team comprises solely qualified lawyers. With over 45 lawyers based around the world, who focus exclusively on FD&D matters, you’ll have the largest global team of specialist FD&D lawyers on your side, helping you to protect your business.

Our highly qualified team have practised with leading law firms and have a deep understanding of FD&D issues. They will provide immediate reactive and proactive legal support to protect your interests – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

View Our People

Overview & key facts

Value Added Benefits

We are always looking for more ways to help the day to day running of your business. Members are able to access a wide range of extra benefits to make your life easier, ranging from crew welfare to crisis communications management.

View Our Benefits