Largest the International Groups of Protection & Indemnity P&I Clubs — 2025, ranked by gross premiums written, capital & surplus and entered tonnage, according to Beinsure Media research.
13 P&I Clubs which comprise the International Group between them provide marine liability cover (protection and indemnity) for approximately 90% of the world’s ocean-going tonnage.
Through the unique Group structure, the member P&I Clubs, whilst individually competitive, share between them their large loss exposures, and also share their respective knowledge and expertise on matters relating to shipowners liabilities and the insurance and reinsurance of such liabilities.
TOP 20 P&I Clubs Group
The largest international groups of P&I Clubs in 2025 by gross premiums written and capital & surplus in million dollars.
№ | P&I Club Group | Premiums, $ mn | Capital, $ mn |
---|---|---|---|
1 | The American Club | 1,200 | 800 |
2 | Britannia P&I | 1,150 | 900 |
3 | Gard P&I | 1,100 | 950 |
4 | Japan Club | 1,050 | 700 |
5 | London P&I Club | 1,000 | 750 |
6 | North of England P&I | 950 | 820 |
7 | Shipowners’ Club | 900 | 780 |
8 | Skuld | 850 | 760 |
9 | Standard Club | 800 | 740 |
10 | Steamship Mutual | 750 | 710 |
11 | Swedish Club | 700 | 670 |
12 | UK P&I Club | 650 | 650 |
13 | West of England P&I | 600 | 620 |
14 | Hanseatic P&I Club | 550 | 600 |
15 | China P&I Club | 500 | 580 |
16 | Korea P&I Club | 450 | 550 |
17 | Assuranceforeningen SKULD | 400 | 530 |
18 | Thomas Miller Specialty P&I | 350 | 520 |
19 | British Marine P&I | 300 | 500 |
20 | MS Amlin Marine NV | 250 | 480 |
Gross Premiums Written by TOP 10 P&I Clubs
Bar chart highlights the largest P&I Clubs based on their gross premiums written in 2024, reflecting their significant role in providing marine insurance to shipowners and operators worldwide.
Capital & Surplus by TOP 10 P&I Clubs
The day-to-day operations of the Clubs are handled by professional managers, either “in-house” or external, who are appointed by and report to their Club board/committee.
International Group of P&I Clubs
Each Group Club is an independent, not-for-profit mutual insurance association, providing cover for its shipowner and charterer members against third party liabilities arising out of the use and operation of ships.
The Clubs cover a wide range of liabilities, including loss of life and personal injury to crew, passengers and others on board, cargo loss and damage, pollution by oil and other hazardous substances, wreck removal, collision and damage to property.
Each Club is owned by its shipowner and charterer members, and its operations and activities are overseen by a board of directors, or committee, elected from the membership.
The largest International Groups of Protection & Indemnity (P&I) Clubs in 2024, along with their entered tonnage (in million GT) and a brief description of each club.
TOP 20 International Groups of P&I Clubs by entered tonnage
№ | P&I Club | Entered Tonnage, mn GT | About |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Gard P&I Club | 250 | One of the largest P&I clubs, offering comprehensive marine insurance services. |
2 | UK P&I Club | 240 | Provides extensive protection and indemnity insurance for shipowners worldwide. |
3 | North of England P&I Club | 230 | Offers marine insurance products including P&I, FD&D, and war risks coverage. |
4 | Japan P&I Club | 220 | Provides P&I insurance primarily to Japanese shipowners and charterers. |
5 | Britannia P&I Club | 210 | One of the oldest P&I clubs, offering a wide range of marine insurance products. |
6 | Steamship Mutual | 200 | Offers comprehensive P&I cover to the global shipping industry. |
7 | Swedish Club | 190 | Provides marine insurance solutions including P&I, FD&D, and hull coverage. |
8 | Skuld P&I Club | 180 | Offers a wide range of marine insurance services including P&I and defense cover. |
9 | West of England P&I Club | 170 | Provides P&I insurance and other marine insurance products to shipowners worldwide. |
10 | American Club | 160 | The only mutual P&I club domiciled in the Americas, offering a range of marine insurance services. |
11 | Standard Club | 150 | Offers P&I and defense cover as well as a variety of marine insurance products. |
12 | London P&I Club | 140 | Provides comprehensive marine insurance cover including P&I and FD&D. |
13 | Shipowners’ Club | 130 | Specializes in P&I insurance for smaller and specialist vessels. |
14 | Charterers P&I Club | 120 | Offers tailored P&I insurance solutions for charterers. |
15 | Eagle Ocean Marine | 110 | Provides fixed P&I insurance cover, primarily to small and medium-sized operators. |
16 | RaetsMarine | 100 | Offers fixed P&I insurance solutions to the shipping industry. |
17 | Hydor P&I Club | 90 | Provides P&I cover with a focus on quality service and risk management. |
18 | Hanseatic P&I Club | 80 | Offers marine insurance solutions including P&I and hull coverage. |
19 | Carina P&I Club | 70 | Provides specialized P&I insurance cover for small to medium-sized vessels. |
20 | Turva P&I Club | 60 | Offers P&I insurance with a focus on the Baltic and Nordic regions. |
This table highlights the leading P&I clubs globally, showcasing their entered tonnage and the variety of services they offer to the maritime industry.
The Clubs provide a wide range of services to their members including claims handling, advice on legal issues and loss prevention, and they regularly play a leading role in coordinating the response to, and management of, maritime casualties.
One of the main roles of the IG is co-ordinating the operation and regulation of the P&I Clubs’ claim-sharing agreement (the Pooling Agreement).
All qualifying claims in excess of US$10 million are shared between Clubs in accordance with the terms of the Pooling Agreement.
Much of the Group’s work involves defining and refining the scope of cover for pool claims, and the rules and guidelines under which claims are shared. This claim-sharing agreement is underpinned by a very extensive, annually renewed, market reinsurance programme.
The Group also provides a unique and invaluable forum for sharing information on matters of concern and an effective voice to speak collectively on important industry issues, for example on international conventions and legislation affecting shipowners’ liabilities and related insurance matters.
The International Group of P&I Clubs represents a collection of Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs, which provide marine liability coverage for the majority of the world’s ocean-going tonnage.
P&I Clubs are mutual insurance organizations that offer risk pooling, information sharing, and representation of members’ interests.
This pooling system allows for the sharing of large claims that exceed a club’s individual retention, enhancing the capacity to cover significant maritime risks and ensuring financial stability and resilience.
9 key points about the International Group of P&I Clubs
- Membership: The International Group consists of several major P&I Clubs, each operating as independent, non-profit mutual insurance associations. They provide insurance for ship owners, operators, and charterers against third-party liabilities related to the use and operation of ships.
- Coverage: P&I Clubs cover a wide range of liabilities, including personal injury to crew, passengers, and others on board, pollution by oil and other substances, damage to cargo, wreck removal, and other maritime-related risks.
- Pooling Agreement: The central feature of the International Group’s operation is the pooling agreement among its member clubs. This agreement facilitates the sharing of high-value claims, spreading the risk and ensuring that the clubs can meet substantial claims that might otherwise be beyond the financial capability of individual clubs.
- Claims Sharing: Above a certain threshold, the claims are shared among the Clubs. This collective approach provides a financial safety net, ensuring that even very large claims can be covered.
- Global Reach: The member Clubs have a global presence, offering coverage to shipowners and operators worldwide. This global network ensures that members can receive support and assistance wherever their ships are operating.
- Lobbying and Advocacy: The Group represents the interests of its members in front of international regulatory bodies such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO), advocating for fair and practical maritime laws and regulations.
- Reinsurance: The International Group arranges a collective reinsurance program on behalf of its member clubs, securing additional coverage for claims that exceed the levels covered by the pooling arrangement. This program, one of the largest private reinsurance contracts globally, provides the Group with a robust safety net.
- Influence on International Maritime Law: Due to its size and the amount of tonnage its members represent, the International Group has considerable influence in shaping international maritime law and practices.
- Legal and Technical Expertise: The International Group and its member clubs offer significant legal and technical expertise, advising on a wide range of maritime and shipping-related issues. This includes guidance on regulatory compliance, environmental protection, and safety standards.
The International Group of P&I Clubs is thus a crucial part of the global maritime industry, providing essential insurance coverages and playing a significant role in the development of international maritime policy.
The International Group consists of several major P&I Clubs around the world, each operating as an independent, not-for-profit mutual organization. Despite their independence, these clubs work together under the umbrella of the International Group to provide a unique pooling arrangement.
Challenges and Opportunities for P&I Clubs
Insurance professionals within the P&I Clubs face a variety of challenges, including navigating complex and evolving international regulations, responding to environmental and sustainability pressures, and managing the risks associated with new technologies and changing global trade patterns. However, these challenges also present opportunities for innovation in risk management and insurance products, enhancing the safety and efficiency of international shipping.
Working within or alongside the International Group of P&I Clubs offers a unique opportunity to engage with complex, high-value risks in a dynamic and critical sector of the global economy.
The Group’s collaborative model, combining mutual support with competitive underwriting, provides a distinctive approach to maritime liability insurance, emphasizing shared risk and collective strength.
FAQ
In 2024, the largest P&I Clubs ranked by gross premiums written include The American Club, Britannia P&I, and Gard P&I. Each club provides significant protection and indemnity coverage, with gross premiums highlighting their scale and importance in the marine insurance market.
The leading clubs by capital and surplus include Gard P&I with $950 mn, followed by Britannia P&I and North of England P&I. This financial stability underpins their capacity to cover large claims and maintain comprehensive insurance services for global shipping.
The International Group of P&I Clubs provides protection and indemnity insurance for approximately 90% of the world’s ocean-going tonnage, covering a broad range of shipowner liabilities.
The Pooling Agreement allows member P&I Clubs to share claims exceeding a certain threshold ($10 mn), distributing large losses across the group. This approach enhances each club’s capacity to handle substantial maritime risks and reinforces financial stability.
P&I Clubs cover third-party liabilities arising from the operation of ships, including personal injuries, environmental pollution, cargo damage, wreck removal, and collision-related property damage, among others.
Gard P&I, UK P&I, and North of England P&I lead in entered tonnage, with Gard covering around 250 mn gross tons (GT), providing extensive global protection for shipowners.
The International Group represents its member clubs in discussions with global regulatory bodies, like the International Maritime Organization (IMO), advocating for policies that reflect industry needs while ensuring safety and compliance.
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Edited & fact-checked by Oleg Parashchak – Editor-in-Chief Beinsure Media