Records of the Liverpool & London War Risks Insurance Association Limited

The Liverpool and London War Risks Insurance Association Limited was founded in 1913, as one of the three War Risk clubs founded to operate the Government’s state backed insurance scheme introduced when the geopolitical climate caused the private insurance market to panic. The scheme was designed to ensure that merchant shipping continued during times of war rather than shipowners simply laying up their ships because of the impossibility or high price of obtaining insurance. The majority of the collection comprises of volumes recording details of vessels covered by the Association and the administration of the scheme. There are claim books covering the period of both World Wars providing details of payments made by the Association for war losses. The voyage books give brief details of the routes of voyages made by insured vessels, this information is not readily available elsewhere due to wartime censorship. Other miscellaneous records include details of financial support given to the dependants of officers who lost their lives. The more recent records in the collection include supporting papers for the management committee meetings from 1983 to 1998. For further details see the attached catalogue or contact The Archives Centre for a copy of the catalogue. The collection is stored offsite and will be recalled upon request. Please contact The Archives Centre with details of the items you wish to consult and to arrange a visit to the Searchroom.