Marine Insurance Act, 1963
62. Notice of abandonment
(1) Subject to the
provisions of this section, where the assured elects to abandon the subject-matter
insured to the insurer, he must give notice of abandonment. If he fails to do
so the loss can only be treated as a partial loss.
(2) Notice of
abandonment may be given in writing, or by word of mouth, or partly in writing
and partly by word of mouth, and may be given in any terms which indicate the
intention of the assured to abandon his insured interest in the subject-matter
insured unconditionally to the insurer.
(3) Notice of
abandonment must be given with reasonable diligence after the receipt of
reliable information of the loss, but where the information is of a doubtful
character the assured is entitled to a reasonable time to make enquiry.
(4) Where notice of
abandonment is properly given, the rights of the assured are not prejudiced by
the fact that the insurer refuses to accept the abandonment.
(5) The acceptance of
an abandonment may be either express or implied from the conduct of the
insurer. The mere silence of the insurer after notice is not an acceptance.
(6) Where notice of abandonment
is accepted the abandonment is irrevocable. The acceptance of the notice
conclusively admits liability for the loss and the sufficiency of the notice.
(7) Notice of
abandonment is unnecessary where at the time when the assured receives information
of the loss, there would be no possibility of benefit to the insurer if notice
were given to him.
(8) Notice of
abandonment may be waived by the insurer.
(9) Where an insurer
has reinsured his risk, no notice or abandonment need be given by him.