Origins.  

In February 1882 a group of shipowners based in Sunderland formed a Mutual Insurance Company to insure against the risks of their trade. The Company is now well recognised as a world leader in the insurance of commercial fishing vessels, small passenger craft, tugs, barges, harbour craft and Aquaculture. There are no outside shareholders and the Company is operated and managed soley for the benefit of its policy holders.

In the last twenty years world wide membership of the Mutual has increased dramatically with now more than 80% of the vessels insured, being located outside of the United Kingdom. The benchmark of the Company's success over the past 125 years has been an unrivalled excellence of service and close association with the industries Insured. To ensure continuity of this ethos a world wide network of Branch offices has been established as the geographical scope of the company has increased.

New Zealand members are managed from Nelson, Australasia's largest fishing Port. A small team provide underwriting and claims support working closely with staff from head office (Durham, UK) and other branch offices (Australia and USA).