About us

The advent of modern communications means that even a straight forward risk can be spread to insurers far and wide across the globe. In order to maintain the highest of professional standards in handling Marine losses the claims adjusters need to be able to communicate with each other freely.

The first requirement for free communication is knowing with whom to communicate and this lack of contact with colleagues around the worldwide has been an ongoing challenge for insurers working in all markets.

No forum or platform has previously existed for such contact or dialogue to take place, although for many years Marine Underwriters have had an international organisation to foster relationships between markets, the Conference has now established a very credible presence on the calendar of Marine Claims Professionals around the globe. Whilst creating a very lively and friendly atmosphere this Conference has also created debate on some serious and on going topics, such as the hotly debated Claims Guidelines, which attempts to deal with how various insurance markets should communicate with each other when dealing with the same casualty and the Educational requirements and qualifications for future Marine Claims Professionals.

To date the organisers, both past and present, have been Marine Claims Professional working in the London Insurance Market, who put together the Conference in their own time for their colleagues around the world. However, the Organising group is fluid and evolving, so volunteers and ideas are invited from any suitable source. In addition to coping with the organisation of the Conference the organisers are also full fee paying delegates, so there is no gain from their extraordinary efforts. Conference speakers are normally full paying delegates too, which helps to make the Conference one of the best value for money events in the Maritime calendar. The competition for places is always very high, but attendance is by invitation only and in spite of continuous increases in capacity, demand outstrips availability.

Traditionally, if tradition can be established in just few years, the technical subjects presented at the Conference have been relevant to the day to day work of the delegates, but some subjects of a much broader interest have been presented. In 2006 Robin Middleton the UK SOSREP, now of MSC Napoli fame, was one of the speakers and was extremely well received by the delegates. When he appeared on TV news bulletins around the world there were at least 175 surveyors, adjusters and lawyers saying to their families, «I know that man!».

However, the one major issue that has arisen from this Conference and which the delegates have a desire to see addressed, is how to attract the right calibre of people into the Marine Claims section of the Insurance Industry and provide career paths and education in order to properly support the ship owners and shippers of the world in the future. The matter is receiving attention and many people involved in Marine Insurance and concerned about the ongoing education have been contacted and are co-operating to achieve a common goal. It should be stated that this is being done independently of the Organisers of the Conference although they are regularly updated on the progress being made. This will be an ongoing debate for this Conference.

The instant and continuing success of IMCC is not surprising because it is not controlled by any sort of formal insurance body or company and the people behind the organisation are not constrained by any laid down criteria, aims or agendas. The Conferences have consistently evolved and improved year by year, both in content and achievements. The goals achieved by each Conference have been the ones set by the organisers and the standards attained to date have been extremely high.

Although the Conference remains independent it is proud to have accepted the invitation from the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) to become an affiliate organization and since 2008 delegates representing IMCC attend IUMI at both spring and autumn meetings.

The Organisers are always open to ideas for Conference topics, content and potential activities in order to maintain the unique nature of this event.