Marine Insurance Act, 1963
66. General average loss
(1) A general average
loss is a loss caused by or directly consequential on a general average act. It
includes a general average expenditure as well as a general average sacrifice.
(2) There is a general
average act where any extraordinary sacrifice or expenditure is voluntarily and
reasonably made or incurred in time of peril for the purpose of preserving the
property imperiled in the common adventure.
(3) Where there is a general
average loss, the party on whom it falls is entitled, subject to the conditions
imposed by maritime law, to a rateable contribution from the other parties
interested, and such contribution is called a general average contribution.
(4) Subject to any
express provision in the policy, where the assured has incurred a general
average of expenditure, he may recover from the insurer in respect of the
proportion of the loss which falls upon him; and in the case of a general
average sacrifice, he may recover from the insurer in respect of the whole loss
without having enforced his right of contribution from the other parties liable
to contribute.
(5) Subject to any
express provision in the policy, where the assured has paid, or is liable to
pay, a general average contribution in respect of the interest insured, he may
recover therefor from the insurer.
(6) In the absence of
express stipulation, the insurer is not liable for any general average loss or
contribution where the loss was not incurred for the purpose of avoiding, or in
connection with the avoidance of a peril insured against.
(7) Where ship,
freight, and cargo, or any two of those interests, are owned by the same
assured, the liability of the insurer in respect of general average losses or contributions
to be determined as if those interests were owned by different persons.