Definition of "Abandonment clause"

In marine insurance, clause giving an insured the right to abandon lost or damaged property and still claim full settlement from an insurer (subject to certain restrictions). Two types of losses are provided for under abandonment clauses:

  1. Actual total lossproperty so badly damaged it is unrepairable or unrecoverable; causes include fire, sinking, windstorm damage, and mysterious disappearance. For example, until the 1980s the Titanic, which sank off Newfoundland in 1912, was deemed to be unrecoverable and the Commercial Union Insurance Company had paid its owners for their loss due to sinking. Owners of ships that mysteriously disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle have been able to collect insurance proceeds. Disappearance of pleasure craft due to drug pirates has resulted in indemnification of owners through insurance proceeds.
  2. Constructive total lossproperty so badly damaged that the cost of its rehabilitation would be more than its restored value. For example, a ship and/or its cargo is damaged to such a degree that the cost of repair would exceed its restored value. The insured can abandon the property if (a) repair costs are greater than 50% of the value of the property after it has been repaired and (b) the insurance company agrees to the insured's intent to abandon.

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Insurance Terms

Property, liability, or health coverage above the primary amount of insurance. For example, the primary coverage is $100,000 and the excess insurance is $1 million. After the losses exceed ...

form of BOILER AND MACHINERY INSURANCE that covers power generating plants. form of BUSINESS INCOME COVERAGE FORM that covers a utility customer's losses resulting from interruption of ...

Insurance that covers each and every loss except for those specifically excluded. If the insurance company does not specifically exclude a particular loss, it is automatically covered. ...

Coverage for suits brought by a plaintiff as the result of bodily injury incurred while using an elevator on the insured's premises. ...

Coverage on real property written to have no time limit. A single deposit premium pays for insurance for the life of the risk. The insurer earns enough investment income on the deposit to ...

Legal procedure through which a court determines the rightful claimant (of two or more claimants making the same claim) against a third party. Insurance companies use interpleader if claims ...

number of serious injuries per 1,000,000 employee-hours worked. ...

Claim, such as a worker's lien, to property under the care, custody, and control of another. This situation occurs when a worker is not paid for labor provided. For example, a carpenter ...

Insurance written on the personal and real property of an individual (or individuals) to include such policies as the home owners insurance policy and personal automobile policy. ...

Popular Insurance Questions