Machinery Loss of Profit Policy :- Can Help Business Concerns

A close up view of: -Machinery loss of profitDespitelonger required.Indemnity PeriodIn contrast to a
all the precautions taken by managers, companiesmaterial loss, the loss of profits following a business
may suddenly find itself in a situation that threaten itsinterruption depends on the time factor involved. In
survival, e.g. as a result of natural disasters, accidents,other words, the longer the period for which
fire, industrial espionage, sabotage, damage to theiroperation is interrupted or impaired, the greater the
reputation, or the failure of a supplier, the powerloss of profits. For this reason it is essential to set a
supply or a telecommunications network.It is wellcertain limit for the period during which the insurer is
accepted fact that risks can never be entirelyobliged to provide indemnity for an interruption loss.
eliminated. However, while corporate managementsThis is done by the insured specifying an indemnity
cannot guarantee that losses will be precluded, theyperiod limit which represents the maximum time for
are at least expected to deal with loss events andwhich an insurer is liable for loss of profits. The period
the attendant aftermath in a satisfactory manner.Inof indemnity begins on the date on which material
addition to the traditional tasks of risk management -damage could first be said to have occurred, as
identifying, analyzing, reducing and transferring risksjudged according to the recognized principles of
companies are thus increasingly being expected toengineering, at the latest, however, on the date
prepare systematically to deal with loss events. Awhen the loss of profits commenced. Generally the
step for this purpose is machinery loss ofindemnity period limit is three, six, nine or twelve
profit.IntroductionUnder both machinery and firemonths. The basic rule is that the indemnity period
insurance, indemnity is provided, in respect oflimit should relate to the amount of time required for
damaged or destroyed machinery, solely for theremoving the interruption loss, i.e. for repairing the
material loss sustained by the insured. These typesmachinery damaged or for the delivery of new
of insurance do thus not protect the insured againstmachinery in cases of a total loss, assembly and trial
all the losses which arise in connection with a fire orrun. Higher premiums are, of course, charged for long
the breakdown of machinery, since in most cases aindemnity period limits.In other words the indemnity
material loss also causes an interruption orperiod commences with the date of damage and
interference of the insured's business operations. Thelasts till such a time as the business is restored to its
result is a financial loss in the form of lost profit andpre damaged level or the period stipulated policy
unearned standing charges. In many cases the losswhich ever comes first. The policy insures earnings of
sustained as a result of an interruption orthe business lost during the indemnity period. But in
interference of business operations by far exceedsany case indemnity period will not exceed 12
the mere material loss.months.Graph showing relation of indemnity period
An awareness of the need for insurance protectionwith damageSum InsuredSum insured is net profit
against the financial consequences of materialplus standing charges. For calculating profit past years
damage arose at the beginning of this century, anddata are taken. It is difficult to calculate gross profit
the result was the introduction of the two variants,for future so it is allowed to increase gross profit by
loss of profits following fire insurance and loss of50%.Refund of premium is allowed if estimated figure
profits following machinery breakdown insurance -is more then the actual figure but subject to that
also called machinery loss of profits (MLOP) insurance.refund does not exceed 50% of premium
As the size of modern production facilities increases,collected.PremiumPremium rates depend on the critical
MLOP insurance is becoming more and morenature of the machinery covered by the breakdown
important. The individual production stages in modernor explosion policies; their relative importance and
processes are often accomplished by just onecontribution to final output; the repairs, maintenance
machine, the failure of which leads to substantialand stand by facilities available and the indemnity
interruption losses.Machinery loss of profit policy isperiod opted.Exclusions1. Loss or damage to
just a replica of fire loss of profit policy. Like fire lossmachinery or other items which are not listed in the
of profit is require standard fire policy same withlist of machinery insured even if the consequence of
MLOP. It requires machinery break down policy ormaterial damage to an item indicated in the list of
boiler and pressure plant policy or eclectic equipmentmachinery insured is involved2. Any restriction on
policy. In US it is known as Business interruptionreconstruction or operation imposed by any public
insurance. Sometimes it is also called as businessauthority3. Shortage, destruction, deterioration and
income coverage or loss of profit insurance, isspoilage of or damage to raw materials, semi-finished
typically a rider or endorsement added to a business'sor finished products or catalyst or operating media
property/casualty policy. As such, what's coveredeven if the consequence of material damage to an
under the main property/casualty policy will determineitem indicated in the list of machinery insured is
what is and is not covered for business interruption.involved4. Alterations improvements or overhauls
For example, P/C policies typically cover fire, but notbeing made while repairs or replacements of
floods or earthquakes, so if an earthquake damagesdamaged or destroyed property are being carried
the business, your business interruption coverageout5. Extension of repair period beyond 4 weeks on
won't kick in unless insured have obtained additionalaccount ofa. Inability to carry or delays in carrying
coverage for earthquakes.Need for MLOPBusinessout repairsb. Prohibition to operate the machinery due
expert Ms.Meenakshi Gupta said this policy is mustto import and/or export customs & other restrictions
for every business organization as the marketor by statutory regulationsc. Inability to secure or
competitions is so tight that one minor loss can ruindelays in securing replacement parts, machines or
the whole business.The incident of machinery breakstechnical servicesd. Transport of parts to and from
down not only cause loss of property to industry butthe insured premises6. Willful acts or Gross Negligence
result in stoppage of work, resulting in loss ofon the part of Insured &/or his employees7. War or
production and loss of fixed charges which ultimatelywarlike operations, Civil Commotion, Strike &
results in loss of profit. To cover loss of profitLocked-out workers8. Nuclear reaction, nuclear
because of machinery breaks down it requires aradiation or radioactive contamination9. Loss or
specific policy given with machinery break downdamage caused by any faults or defects existing at
policy or boiler and pressure plant policy or eclecticthe time of commencement of this insurance within
equipment policy.The basic features of MLOPthe knowledge of the insured or his responsible
insurance will be dealt with.1 Subject matterrepresentatives whether such faults or defects were
insuredMLOP insurance provides cover for the actualknown to Company or notTime exclusionExplosive
loss of profits sustained as a result of a businessfactory, petrochemical, power plant and fertilizers 14
interruption caused by material damage indemnifiabledays exclusion where as in other industry it is 7
under machinery insurance. MLOP insurance providesdays.Underwriting consideration- Risk inspection
indemnity also in cases where the material lossreport.- Description of plant- Date of make- Work
amount falls below the deductible to be borne by theperformed- Alternative means of working- Repair
insured under the machinery cover. Basically speaking,time- Spare parts held- Unattended plant- Percentage
a loss due to an interruption or interference ofof daily loss. Incase production is halted.- Any
business operations is made up of the followingalternative means of working available.- Stand by
factors:1. The reduction in operating profit, i.e. themachine.- Breakdown experience.The possibilities of
profit from selling the goods produced and traded byloss minimizationThe results of MLOP insurance
the insured and from rendering services.2. Thedepend to a great extent on the loss minimization
standing charges, i.e. the costs incurred entirely or inmeasures taken. It is therefore quite obvious that
part if operations are interrupted or impaired. Thesethis topic deserves special attention. Such measures
comprise wages and salaries, including social securityfor loss minimization are, for example, the hiring of
contributions if they continue to become due duringsubstitute motors, generators, transformers, boilers,
the interruption; interest, economic depreciations,small turbines, etc. or the speeding up of repair work
basic rates for third-party energy, expenses for theby carrying out complex welding operations even on
current upkeep of buildings and machines, rent, taxeshigh-alloy materials or using metalock and other
and other non-specified working expenses, expensesspecial repair methods on the damaged
for the preservation of vested rights, insurancecomponents.Terms used in policy:The following terms
premiums and other business expenses, e.g.used in this policy will be defined as follows:a. Gross
guaranteed commissions.3. Not included in standingProfit is defined as the sum produced by adding to
charges, however, are turnover taxes and expensesthe Net Profit the amount of all insured fixed charges.
for raw or auxiliary materials, fuels and goodsIf there is no Net Profit the amount of all insured
purchased unless they serve to continue operations;fixed charges less that proportion of any loss from
excise taxes, freight charges, specified license andbusiness operations as the amount of the insured
inventor's fees and similar expenses. Loss minimizationfixed charges bears to all fixed charges.b. Net Profit is
costs are also covered if they lower the insurer'sdefined as the net operating profit exclusive of all:1)
obligation to indemnify. These include expenses thatCapital receipts and accruals; and2) Outlay properly
avoid, minimize or terminate an interruption loss soonchargeable to capital;Resulting from the business of
after the occurrence of material damage.Lossthe Insured at the described location after due
minimization is of great importance in MLOP insurance.provision has been made for all fixed charges and
The following are examples.1. Purchase/sale ofany other expenses, including depreciation, but before
semi-finished goods2. Provisional repairs3. Earlydeduction of any taxes on Profits.c. Insured Fixed
overhauls4. Purchase of non-identical (but compatible)Charges are defined as all fixed charges unless
machinery5. Express, airfreight6. Overtime work,specifically excluded in the declarations.d. Sales are
additional shifts, work on Sundays7. To acceleratedefined as the money paid or payable to the Insured
repairs on undamaged machines to reduce thefor:1) Goods sold and delivered; and2) Services
interruption loss8. Rent of machinery (e.g.rendered;e. Rate of Gross Profit is defined as the
transformers, boilers, compressors)9. Shifting ofrate of Gross Profit earned on the sales during the
operations to alternative plants10. Making up for thetwelve (12) full calendar months immediately before
production loss after reopeningCoverageMachinerythe date of physical loss or damage to the insured
loss of profit policy gives cover against consequentialproperty.f. Standard Sales are defined as the sales
losses following loss or damage to the propertyduring that period in the twelve (12) months
insured under machinery breakdown and/or boiler andimmediately before the date of the loss or damage
pressure plant insurance. This policy covers actualto the insured property which corresponds with the
financial losses suffered by the insured due toperiod of indemnity.Marketing aspect for betterment
business interruption arising from:a) Reduction inof MLOP policy in IndiaCapered to other products of
turnover andb) Increase in cost of workingTheengineering insurance, MLOP is very less in number.
standard policy thus insures the loss of gross profitsThis product requires proper advertisement and
in the business because of accident to the machinery,making the small business owner aware of this policy.
boiler and pressure plant, electric equipment coveredThis policy is more suitable for small industrial sector
under respective policy.What Can Beof India which facing many difficulties. Agents are
Insured?Continuing Overhead Expenses: - which haverequired to train about coverage and usages of
to be met out of reduced earnings such as rent,policy, so that they will be in position to explain other.
taxes, interest on debentures, mortgages and loans.Special advertisement campaign is required.Vishnu
Increase in Cost of Working: - necessarily incurred toRamdeo
overcome or to minimize the effects of damageMBA (Insurance)
upon the business such as renting of temporaryNational Law University
premises, hiring of machinery or extra labourJodhpur.
costs.Loss of Profit: - which would be earned byIndiamr.Vishnu Ramdeo has done his garduation in
industry if there was no damage tohonours in accounting and finance. He has done his
machinery.Wages: - of employees not gainfullyMBA in Insurance from National Law University,
employed during the interruption period andJodhpur India. his intreset areas are insurance,
payments to employees whose services are notaxation,investment,equity research and law.