SEPIA Club Profile - Operations

Underwriting Services

Enquiries from Shipowners, Ship Managers or Charterers through their chosen brokers and producers regarding membership of SEPIA, the new independent Protection and Indemnity Club, can be directed as hereunder: -

The South of England Management AG,
European Representative Office,
Zimex Business Aviation Centre,
Bimenzältenstrasse 75, Haus B,
CH-8058 Zurich Airport,
SWITZERLAND.
Telephone: (41) 433 883488
Facsimile: (41) 433 883489

Application Forms for entry and the Association’s Second Edition Rules are available upon request.

Types of Ship

The Managers are prepared to consider on behalf of the Association, the entry of all types of ships, but principally those over 7,500 gross tons trading internationally but excluding those ships with a predominantly U.S. trading pattern or which are U.S. flagged and/or crewed. Older tonnage, non-I.A.C.S. classed ships and singleton operations will be considered.

Attachments

SEPIA aims to be innovative. For the 2005 year forwards, the Association can accept business on a “risks attaching” as opposed to a “claims occurring” basis. This means that shipowners will no longer be tied to a historical tradition which forces them to have to accept 20th February as the only policy date feasible. For the future with SEPIA, shipowners have a choice over the twelve months’ period that their policy will run for.

Condition Surveys

As is customary, ships over 10 years of age will need to be condition surveyed annually by an approved surveyor in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Managers.

Limits of Liability

SEPIA currently offers a range of optional limits of liability up to US$100,000,000 any one accident or occurrence but in the longer term, it is the intention to make available limits of liability up to US$500,000,000. All such security is and will be 100% with Lloyd’s and/or other “A+” rated Standard & Poor’s security.

COFRs

Suitable Evidence of Insurance to satisfy the U.S.C.G. OPA 90 Certificates of Financial Responsibility requirements can be arranged, as and when required, for ships calling at U.S. ports.

Calls

SEPIA offers terms to Members on an estimated total cost basis and it is the Managers’ intention to endeavour to underwrite risks without recourse to supplementary calls. Along with the Club’s development, reinsurance protection will be purchased in order to safeguard the Club’s retention and minimise the need for unbudgeted additional calls.