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

Consolidation of a non insurance parent company with its wholly owned subsidiary, thereby creating, allowable under current tax law, a consolidated balance sheet. This consolidation of ...

Action by insurance companies and agents to voluntarily refrain from business conduct that is misleading, fraudulent, and in general would have adverse consequences for the purchaser of the ...

Insurance company that specializes in underwriting casualty insurance. ...

Bond that reimburses a business for loss caused by the dishonest act of an employee. Since crime insurance policies exclude coverage of dishonest acts of employees, it is necessary to have ...

In a liability insurance policy, limit above the minimum amount of coverage for which the policy can be written according to company or legal restrictions. ...

Type of organization of property and casualty insurance companies whose objective is to share information on fraudulent claims, handle claims in an expeditious manner, and disseminate ...

in life insurance, receipt by a company of an insurance application accompanied by the first premium. in property and casualty insurance, a company's receipt of an application. ...

Measure of the sensitivity of the insurance company's liability for resultant higher mortality rates than charged for in the premium. ...

Coverage for the insured's personal and real property and the insured's own person. Contrast with third party. ...

Popular Insurance Questions