Best Marine Insurance in Dubai, UAE

Marine insurance protects businesses from financial losses when goods are being transported by sea, air, or land, and from risks related to maritime operations. It gives you financial protection from both manmade and natural disasters, covering events like fire, theft, piracy, collision, and storm.

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What is Marine Insurance in UAE?

Marine insurance is a specialised business insurance policy to cover cargo, vessels, and related liabilities during transportation. Marine cargo insurance is a sub-product of this type of insurance. It covers loss or damage caused by events such as accidents, collisions, theft, storms, floods, earthquakes, war, and strikes.

While many people think marine insurance only applies to sea transport, it actually covers goods throughout the entire journey. This includes transportation by sea, air, and land. The policy financially protects cargo from the point of origin to the final destination and also covers third-party liabilities related to marine operations.

Furthermore, this insurance covers goods transported within the UAE as well as international shipments passing through major UAE ports. So whether your goods are moving through Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port, or Port Rashid, the insurance can cover them!

Maritime Law in the UAE: What Has Changed🤔

The UAE marine insurance law is covered under Federal Decree-Law No. 43 of 2023, effective from March 2024. It updated old rules and clearly explains marine insurance. Ships operating in UAE waters must have liability insurance, while ship and cargo insurance are optional unless required by contract.

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Features and Benefits of Marine Insurance in UAE

Some of the key features of a marine insurance policy are as follows:

Top 6 Key Features & Benefits -

Customised coverage options, including single shipment and annual (open) policies

Protection for cargo against transit-related risks

Coverage for both domestic and international shipments

Reduced financial risk for importers and exporters, helping ensure business continuity in case of loss or damage

Compliance with national and international trade and contractual requirements

Flexible premium payment options based on the policy type and coverage limits

What are the Types of Marine Insurance in Dubai, UAE?

Marine insurance is categorised into different types, such as cargo insurance, liability insurance, hull insurance, and freight insurance. Let’s understand the key details of these types of coverage -

Marine Cargo Insurance

Marine cargo insurance covers the loss or damage of goods during transit via sea, air, or land. It protects businesses from risks such as theft, fire, or natural disasters while goods are in transit.

Suitable for: Importers, exporters, and manufacturers involved in international trade

Marine Liability Insurance

This insurance financially protects against legal and financial liabilities arising from incidents such as oil spills, accidents, or injuries during maritime operations. It covers compensation for damages to third parties.

Suitable for: Shipping companies, vessel operators, and freight forwarders

Marine Hull Insurance

Marine hull insurance covers damage to the ship’s hull and machinery due to accidents, piracy, or natural disasters. It includes repair costs or the total loss of the vessel.

Suitable for: Shipowners, operators, and maritime businesses with large fleets

Marine Freight Insurance

It safeguards the freight forwarder's interests in case of cargo loss, damage, or delay caused by covered events. It covers the cost of shipping goods from one port to another.

Suitable for: Freight forwarding companies and logistics service providers managing international shipments

You can purchase these coverage options based on the duration of your shipments. Note that marine insurance plans typically come in two types: open cargo insurance policy and single transit insurance.

Open Cargo Insurance Policy	Single Transit Insurance
Provides continuous marine cargo coverage for multiple shipments over a specified period Ideal for businesses with regular shipments, offering flexibility and cost savings	Offers one-time cargo cover for a specific shipment from one location to another Ideal for one-time or irregular shipments, ensuring protection against risks during transit on a per-shipment basis

What's Covered and Excluded Under Marine Insurance in UAE?

While the inclusions and exclusions vary as per the policy and the insurer, you can look at the typical features below -

✅ What’s Generally Included

Loss or damage to cargo during transit

Fire, explosion, and natural perils

Theft, pilferage, and non-delivery

Vessel or craft being stranded, grounded, sunk, or capsized

Hull and machinery damage

Collision and accident

Overturning or derailment

Loading and unloading risks

General average contributions

Third-party liability (if included in the policy)

Water damage (due to covered events)

Crew personnel accident (PA) cover

❌ What’s Usually Excluded

Improper or insufficient packaging

Inherent vice or nature of goods

Illegal activities

Delay in transit

Willful misconduct

Ordinary wear and tear

Repairing or renovation

Insolvency or financial default

Nuclear hazards

✍️ Always review the marine insurance policy wording to understand inclusions and exclusions clearly.

How Does Marine Insurance in UAE Work?

As a business leader, you’d be familiar with the risks of maritime operations — accidents, collisions, and unexpected losses. These aren’t just minor issues; they can have serious financial consequences. For small businesses, such setbacks can be severe enough to threaten the very survival of the company.

That’s why having the right marine insurance is crucial to protecting your goods and ensuring your business stays afloat.

Here's how this type of insurance works -

You pay a premium to the insurance company. The cost is determined by the value of the cargo, the route, and the type of goods being shipped.
The policy can be active for a single shipment or multiple shipments, depending on the agreement.
In case of loss or damage, you file a claim and submit documentation. The insurance company assesses the damage. Once approved, you receive compensation as per the policy terms.

Maritime insurance policies in the UAE offer varying levels of coverage, often based on the Institute Cargo Clauses (ICC). You can select the coverage that suits your needs -

➡️ ICC(C): Covers basic risks like fire, sinking, overturning or derailment, collision, jettisoning, and more
➡️ ICC(B): Typically, adds coverage for water damage and external environmental factors like earthquakes or volcanic eruptions
➡️ ICC(A): All-risk coverage, excluding specific exclusions as per the policy
- ICC(Air): Similar to ICC(A) but applies to air cargo
- War & Strikes Coverage: Covers losses from strikes, war, or political unrest — it’s typically excluded in basic plans

Who Should Buy Marine Insurance in Dubai, UAE?

Different business owners can buy marine insurance in the UAE, whether they are infrequent shippers, SMEs, or high-value cargo traders. Here are some individuals and businesses to whom marine insurance cover is crucial -

Ship owners and operators
Yacht and boat owners
Cargo shippers and traders
Haulers
Freight forwarders
Marine contractors
Maritime service providers
Manufacturers and more

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Why Should You Buy Marine Insurance in UAE?

Marine insurance is a crucial investment for businesses involved in maritime operations. Here’s why you should buy this business insurance policy in the UAE:

💰 Protection from High Financial Loss

Marine-related risks like cargo damage, theft, accidents, or vessel loss can result in massive financial setbacks. This insurance helps businesses recover quickly by covering unexpected losses, ensuring cash flow stability and business continuity.

🧑‍🔧 Compliance with Trade Requirements

Many shipping contracts, ports, and trade partners in the UAE require marine insurance as a standard condition. The right policy helps you meet contractual obligations and avoid delays, penalties, or disputes during domestic and international shipments.

📉 Minimises Operational and Liability Risks

Marine insurance doesn’t just protect cargo or vessels — it also covers third-party liabilities, legal costs, and damages caused during transit or maritime operations. This reduces operational stress and protects your business’s reputation in case of claims.

🤝 Build Trust with Business Partners

This insurance policy adds stability to your business and reassures clients, suppliers, and logistics partners that you’re financially protected.

This builds confidence in your operations, especially when dealing with high-value cargo and international shipping across the UAE and global trade routes.

Difference Between Marine and Cargo Insurance in the UAE

You might think marine and cargo insurance are the same, but they’re actually quite different. Marine insurance is a comprehensive policy that covers a range of risks, while cargo insurance focuses solely on protecting goods in transit. Tabled below are the key differences between them:

Aspect	Marine Insurance	Cargo Insurance
Policy Type	Comprehensive policy covering multiple marine-related risks	Sub-category of marine insurance
Scope of Coverage	Broad and comprehensive	Limited and specific coverage
What It Covers	Cargo, vessels, freight, hull, and third-party liabilities	Covers cargo (goods) only
Ideal For	Ship owners, logistics companies, traders, port operators	Importers, exporters, traders

What is the Cost of Marine Insurance in UAE?

Understanding the marine insurance premium in the UAE is key to choosing the right coverage for your maritime business. Premiums are usually calculated on the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) value + 10% for escalation.

As every shipment carries different risks, the final marine insurance cost is influenced by multiple factors, such as -

Coverage level (ICC A, B, and C)
Type of cargo
Mode of transit
Packing arrangements
Vessel type
Ports
Claim history and more

Protect every voyage, pay only what’s right — get the best and the most affordable marine insurance deals with Policybazaar.ae today!

What is the Claim Process for Marine Insurance Online in UAE?

Here are the simple steps you need to follow while making a marine insurance claim in the UAE -

➡️ Report the Incident - As soon as a loss, damage, or incident occurs, promptly inform your insurer.

➡️ Claim Form Submission - Fill out the claim form with the preliminary documents and key details of the incident.

➡️ Appointment of Surveyor - Depending on the nature and extent of the loss, the insurer may appoint a marine surveyor or loss adjuster.

➡️ Claim Disbursement - Once the insurer reviews the surveyor’s report and documents, the claim is evaluated for approval. The claim amount will be disbursed after approval.

Note: Claims are assessed as per policy terms and supporting documents. With expert assistance from Policybazaar.ae, businesses can ensure a smooth, compliant claim process and enjoy peace of mind during claim settlement.

Documents to File a Claim Under Marine Insurance in UAE

Listed below are the required documents for a marine insurance claim in the UAE -

Marine insurance policy document
Commercial invoice of shipping items
Contract of carriage
Survey report or evidence of the loss/damage
Copy of packaging list
Entry bill
Port examination or short-landed certificate
Claim bill

✍️ In certain circumstances, you may have to submit some additional documentation for the marine insurance claim process.

Why Do Businesses Trust Policybazaar.ae for Marine Insurance?

With years of credibility built among UAE business leaders, Policybazaar.ae has become a popular destination for marine insurance. We support companies with informed policy selection and transparent pricing.

Here’s Why Businesses Trust Us -

⭐ Customised business insurance plans — whether you’re looking for SMEs or large corporations

⭐ Professional guidance from our business insurance experts

⭐ Transparent policy and coverage selection, no hidden surprises

⭐ Affordable marine insurance plans

⭐ Associated with a strong network of leading global insurers

Last Updated At: 18 Feb 2026

Marine Insurance — FAQs

The best marine insurance in the UAE depends on your specific needs. The top options include cargo, hull, and freight insurance. You can choose a policy based on shipment type, value, and associated risks.

Marine insurance can be affordable, depending on your needs. For one-time shipments, a single transit policy is cost-effective. For multiple shipments, open cargo insurance offers a more affordable solution. Platforms like Policybazaar.ae can help you find affordable plans based on your requirements.

Marine cargo insurance in the UAE covers loss or damage to goods during transit due to theft, accidents, weather events, and other maritime risks.

Marine liability insurance covers third-party claims for accidents, environmental damage, crew injuries, and property damage caused during shipping or port operations.

To buy the best marine insurance policy in the UAE, compare various insurers, their plans, coverage options, and premiums. At Policybazaar.ae, you can find the right coverage with unbiased expert assistance.

The premium for marine insurance depends on cargo value, type, mode of transport, coverage level, and policy type. Thus, premiums can vary between insurers.

Various maritime businesses, including exporters, importers, manufacturers, ship owners, charterers, and traders, can purchase marine insurance policies.

Tokio Marine, Arabia Insurance, Fidelity, and more are among the top providers of maritime insurance in the UAE.

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Reviews & Ratings

★★★★★4.6 / 5

(based on 34,867 reviews)

Yasmin aliDubai, 25 December 2025

★★★★★

Trustworthy FRFrom the website and features to premiums, everything about marine insurance plans was shown and told crystal clear.

VigneshDubai, 18 December 2025

★★★★★

Solid value for moneyNever knew marine insurance could be this affordable! All thanks to Policybazaar.ae, which showed that I can really get wide coverage without cutting down costs.

Mohammad irshadAbu Dhabi, 3 December 2025

★★★★★

Quite direct comparisonsReally liked the side by side comparisons for marine insurance coverage, made the whole decision making so much comfortable.

Muhammad Wasif IqbalDubai, 25 November 2025

★★★★★

Clear coverage explanationI had my doubts getting marine insurance online, but this platform proved amazingly helpful. Both the website and team showed all features so clearly, made the purchase much easier!

Rejeesh RemananAbu Dhabi, 20 November 2025

★★★★★

Professional and supportive teamWhat’s absolutely lovely about Policybazaar.ae is the amazing expertise but without any pushy sales stuff. I’d a few doubts about marine insurance UAE before coming, but the team answered everything so patiently and in great depth!

Mohamed RahilDubai, 4 November 2025

★★★★★

So many insurersThe platform showed an amazing number of options for marine insurance Dubai. Almost felt like a supermarket that literally spoiled me for choices!