Particular Average

Loss falling on a single interest — the ship alone or a specific consignment of cargo — without contribution from the others. Particular average is the opposite of general average and is governed by the Marine Insurance Act 1906 s.64 and the relevant cargo or hull policy. The shipowner's H&M policy responds to particular average to the vessel; a cargo policy responds to particular average to the cargo. The classic mistake is to assume general average applies to every shipboard casualty — the great majority are particular average and recoverable only against the policy on that interest.