About Anker Crew Insurance
What is Anker Crew Insurance?
Anker Crew Insurance specialises in insurance solutions for maritime employers. We cover risks such as medical expenses, repatriation, disability and death involving crew members. Our support goes beyond reimbursement: we also assist employers with medical coordination, guidance and claims handling.
What is crew insurance?
Crew insurance refers to insurance solutions developed specifically to protect crew members. Depending on the policy, cover may include medical expenses, accidents, disability and repatriation. It helps maritime employers meet their duty of care towards employees working at sea or on board.
What is the difference between crew insurance and crew health insurance?
Crew health insurance mainly covers medical expenses and healthcare for crew members. Crew insurance has a broader scope and may also include repatriation, disability, death and other financial obligations for maritime employers. The right solution depends on your organisation, employment contracts, flag state and applicable laws and regulations.
Which organisations and sectors is Anker Crew Insurance intended for?
We support a wide range of organisations in the maritime sector, including shipowners, ship managers, crew managers, crewing agents, yacht owners and offshore companies. We work both directly with employers and through brokers. Our insurance solutions are used in merchant shipping, fisheries, cruise, superyachts and offshore.
What are the benefits of insurance with Anker Crew Insurance?
With Anker Crew Insurance, you receive an insurance solution that reflects your organisation and the obligations you have towards your crew. You also benefit from a single point of contact, a 24/7 alarm service and access to an international network of medical partners. We support you with medical care, repatriation, cost handling and communication with the parties involved.
Does Anker Crew Insurance provide worldwide cover?
Yes. Anker Crew Insurance provides insurance solutions for maritime employers worldwide and for almost all flag states. The exact cover depends on the insurance solution selected.
What is AIM on Crew and how do they support seafarers?
AIM supports Filipino seafarers from Manila when they need medical guidance during or after their contract. Their services may include airport assistance, coordination of medical treatment, transport, accommodation and personal support during recovery. AIM works with Anker Crew Insurance as part of our international service network.
Insurance and cover
Which crew-related risks can be insured?
Anker Crew Insurance helps maritime employers insure financial risks related to their crew. These may include costs and obligations arising from illness, accidents, repatriation, temporary or permanent disability and death. The risks covered depend on the selected cover and the employer’s contractual obligations.
When are medical expenses for seafarers insured?
Medical expenses may be reimbursed if an insured crew member becomes ill or has an accident during the contract period. This may include consultations, treatment, hospitalisation, medication or medically necessary transport. The exact reimbursement depends on the insurance policy.
Who is responsible for seafarers’ medical expenses during their contract?
Maritime employers may be responsible for seafarers’ medical expenses during their contract, depending on employment agreements, collective labour agreements, flag state requirements, international arrangements and applicable laws and regulations. Crew insurance can help cover these financial obligations. The policy and terms and conditions specify which costs are insured.
Is mental healthcare included in the cover?
Mental healthcare may be included in the cover, depending on the insurance solution selected, the policy terms and the specific situation. Anker Crew Insurance also focuses on the prevention of mental health issues on board. With our specialist knowledge, we help employers recognise early signs, encourage open discussion and reduce mental health risks among crew members. The policy schedule and terms and conditions specify which care is insured.
How does Anker Crew Insurance support employers with mental health and prevention on board?
Anker Crew Insurance looks beyond insurance alone. Drawing on our knowledge of the maritime sector, we help employers build awareness around mental health, recognise early warning signs and create an environment in which concerns can be discussed. Prevention, guidance and clear procedures all contribute to better support for crew members.
Can the insurance solutions be tailored to the employer’s requirements?
Yes. Our insurance solutions can be tailored to the organisation, the composition of the crew and the employer’s payment obligations. This may include collective labour agreements, individual employment agreements, international conventions and local laws and regulations.
Can crew members of different nationalities be insured under one insurance solution?
Yes. Crew members of different nationalities can be insured under one insurance solution. This depends on factors such as the trading area, type of work, contract structure and selected cover. Our experienced team assesses each situation to determine which solution is suitable for both the crew and the employer. The exact cover is stated in the policy schedule and the terms and conditions.
Can temporary crew members, agency workers or other maritime personnel be insured?
Yes. Temporary crew members, agency workers and other maritime personnel can be included in the insurance. Anker Crew Insurance considers the operational situation, type of work and the employees who require cover. In addition to traditional seafarers, this may also include other personnel working on board. The options are assessed for each organisation.
What is the deductible?
As standard, Anker Crew Insurance does not apply a deductible to claims. A deductible can be considered if this is desirable for your organisation. Covered costs are then handled in line with the insurance arrangements. The costs reimbursed depend on the selected cover and the circumstances of the claim.
Assistance and medical care
How does the 24/7 medical support for seafarers work?
In an acute medical situation, you can contact the Anker Alarm Service. The alarm service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and supports medical assistance, evacuation and return to the home country. Where necessary, we coordinate with medical providers and other parties involved.
What should I do if a crew member becomes ill or has an accident on board?
If a crew member becomes ill, has an accident or requires urgent medical assistance, please contact Anker Crew Insurance as soon as possible or, outside office hours, the Anker Alarm Service. Collect relevant information, such as the crew member’s name, vessel name, date of the incident, medical details and any invoices. We recommend consulting us before arranging major medical expenses, evacuation or repatriation.
Who pays the medical expenses if a crew member becomes ill abroad?
If the medical expenses are covered by the insurance policy, Anker Crew Insurance reimburses the eligible costs in line with the policy terms. We can also support cost handling and coordination with medical providers. The exact reimbursement depends on the selected cover.
What happens if a seafarer needs to leave the vessel urgently?
In an urgent situation, contact the Anker Alarm Service immediately. Together with the medical parties involved, we assess what assistance is required. If treatment on board or locally is not possible, medical evacuation or transport to a suitable treatment centre can be arranged.
How does the medical evacuation of a crew member work?
When medical evacuation is necessary, Anker Crew Insurance coordinates transport and communication with healthcare providers and other parties involved, where required in cooperation with the alarm service. Depending on the situation, the crew member may be transported to a hospital, a suitable treatment centre or the home country. Please contact Anker Crew Insurance before arranging medical evacuation or repatriation yourself.
Who arranges the repatriation of an ill or injured crew member?
Anker Crew Insurance can coordinate repatriation if treatment on board or locally is not possible. We arrange transport, any required medical escort and communication with medical providers in close cooperation with the shipowner and other parties involved. This ensures that repatriation is organised carefully and appropriately for the situation, with one clear point of contact throughout.
How are medical expenses handled and paid worldwide?
Anker Crew Insurance works with an international network of medical partners. Depending on the situation and the policy arrangements, medical payments may be made directly or costs incurred by the employer may be reimbursed. In the event of hospital admission or major treatment, please contact us as early as possible so the approach can be agreed in advance.
Claims
How do I submit a claim to Anker Crew Insurance?
Please report a new claim to Anker Crew Insurance as soon as possible. Medical expense claims can be submitted through the Crew Portal, where you can upload documents and follow the status of ongoing claims and reimbursements. In an acute medical situation or hospital admission, please contact Anker Crew Insurance directly or, outside office hours, the Anker Alarm Service.
What can I arrange through the Crew Portal?
Through the Crew Portal, you can submit medical expense claims, upload documents and track the status of ongoing claims and reimbursements. The portal helps employers provide claim information in a structured way and monitor progress digitally.
Which information and documents are required for a claim?
The documents required depend on the situation and the type of claim. For a medical expense or repatriation claim, we may ask for details such as the date of the accident or report of illness, the crew member’s name and date of birth, rank, vessel name, medical information and the relevant invoices. Anker Crew Insurance will let you know which additional documents are needed to assess the claim.
How quickly is a claim processed?
Processing time depends on the nature of the claim and whether all required information and documents are available. Through the Crew Portal, you can follow the status of ongoing claims and reimbursements and upload any additional information.
What happens if a seafarer dies during the contract period?
If death is included in the selected cover, Anker Crew Insurance pays a lump sum in line with the insurance arrangements. Depending on the situation, we may also support practical matters such as transport, local formalities and repatriation to the home country. The applicable support and reimbursement depend on the policy and the circumstances.
MLC 2006
Is crew insurance mandatory under the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006)?
MLC 2006 requires shipowners and employers in certain situations to provide financial security for matters such as repatriation and contractual compensation in the event of death or long-term disability. The obligations that apply to your organisation depend on factors such as the flag state, employment contracts and applicable laws and regulations. Crew insurance can be used to cover these financial obligations.
Which obligations does a maritime employer have under MLC 2006?
Under MLC 2006, maritime employers may be required to provide financial security for repatriation, medical care and contractual compensation in the event of death or long-term disability. The exact obligations vary by situation and are linked to factors such as the flag state, employment conditions and applicable laws and regulations.
Will I receive an insurance certificate or MLC certificate?
If this is part of the selected insurance solution, you will receive the required policy documents and certificates. These documents can be used to demonstrate which cover and financial security have been arranged. The certificates available depend on the policy, the flag state and the applicable requirements.
Do Anker Crew Insurance solutions meet MLC 2006 requirements?
The insurance solutions offered by Anker Crew Insurance are designed to align with the requirements of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006. They can provide financial security for matters such as repatriation and contractual compensation in the event of death or permanent disability. The quotation, policy schedule and accompanying terms and conditions specify which MLC obligations are covered by a specific policy.
Why is a standard international health insurance policy not always sufficient for seafarers?
Seafarers work in an international maritime environment with specific risks, contractual arrangements and legal obligations. A standard international health insurance policy does not always fully reflect these circumstances. This may include remote medical assistance, repatriation, financial security under MLC 2006 and the employer’s obligations towards crew members.