For well over a century, our Members have benefited from unrivalled maritime legal costs cover. Today, we combine this cover with expert advice and support for issues arising anywhere in the world.
The strengths behind our protection:
- Market leading cover - $15 million limit with no mandatory deductibles, and no release calls
- Continuity credits that reward continued Membership
- Advice and support from our legally trained and experienced team
- The combination of exceptional sector and industry knowledge, and a Member-focused, individualised approach to every case
- The knowledge that the UK Defence Club has shaped the modern maritime legal sector and continues to influence maritime-related law and practice
Our cover is the most comprehensive offered by any maritime legal costs insurer. Our Members have confidence in knowing we are focused solely on defence cover, avoiding distractions from other classes of cover.
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Independence
The UK Defence Club is an independent club, focused solely on marine legal costs cover.
What our complete independence from your P&I cover means for you:
- An extensive cover responds to our Members’ needs and claims – even against other insurers
- Unrivalled and focused expertise and experience
- Our Board and finances are focused only on legal costs insurance and the prioritisation of our Members
- Ability to be transparent with our finances as they are not combined with other capital
Our Members are our Priority
Our clarity of purpose means a clear focus on our Members and their interests. Our Members benefit from:
- Support for their own cases combined with access to advice and expertise on wider industry issues
- Freedom to use their own choice of lawyer or benefit from the agreed fee structures and alternative billing arrangements of our Preferred Legal Suppliers
- A focus on the right outcome for them
Continuity Credits – rewarding our Members
Over the last 10 years, more than £12.5 million has been returned to Members via our Continuity Credit scheme which rewards continued Membership of the Club.
At the 2025 renewal Continuity Credits were given to those Members who have been with the Club for a complete policy year applied as follows:
- 10% capital distribution; and
- an additional discount of 5% is available to those Members entering their entire fleet with the Club.
The application of Continuity Credits is reviewed by the UKDC Board on an annual basis at its November Board meeting.
"We have been dealing with some really big ticket litigation and I think we’ve handled that really well, without exception."
Daniel Evans, UKDC Club Manager
UK Defence Club has £66.1m assets
UKDC cover provides:
$15 million limit on cover
No mandatory deductibles
No release calls
The UK Defence Club has over 4,200 entered ships
UKDC has supported many landmark cases