Whenever you make a claim, the insurer requires a formal written notification so they have something official from you.

In marine losses, most times Underwriters use a Master’s Protest. This document in various forms has been used for centuries, and while it appears to be a formidable statement and fraught with pitfalls it really forms the basis of your claim and in most cases does not mean much more than confirming that a loss took place; this is what I think happened and this is when and where it took place.

Signing a Master’s Protest will get the show on the road and allow the adjuster/loss surveyor to move along and deal with the business of determining the amount of the loss, discussing alternatives and generally move toward settlement, or in some cases denial of your loss.