UK DEFENCE Club, which provides legal expenses insurance for shipowners, has announced a 5% target increase for the 2025 renewal, more than offset by a generous cashback for existing members.

In a recent circular to members, the Thomas Miller-managed marine mutual highlighted the challenges posed by political upheavals in some countries and regulatory changes aimed at responding to the effects of climate change.

Members are having to adapt to the requirements of the EU’s emissions trading scheme and the FuelEU mechanism, although disputes relating to these may only become readily apparent in the years ahead.

There has also been an increase in average charges for work undertaken by UK law firms, it added.

“Although the club is trying to move the approach away from hourly rates to different types of arrangements which provide greater certainty for members and the club alike, there is still some way to go,” it argued.

In light of the above trends, a 5% premium adjustment for the 2025/26 policy year was deemed necessary to keep abreast of claims trends and inflation.

However, it was also agreed that the existing credit for members entering their entire fleet, which has been in operation since 2015, should be increased from 2.5% to 5%, with that offer open to new members.

The UK Defence Club will also maintain its capital distribution policy, which has been in place for ten years, with the level of cashback jumping from 3.5% to 10% for existing members.

The distribution, alongside any full fleet credit, means that since inception of this programme, in excess of $17m has been returned to members.

Membership now stands in excess of 4,000 owned and chartered entries and is in the order of 215m gt.

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