Would protection and indemnity insurance cover damage to cargo resulting from the insured's negligence?

Protection and indemnity (P&I) insurance primarily covers the legal liabilities of shipowners and operators arising from the operation of their vessels. This type of insurance typically includes coverage for various liabilities, such as crew injuries, wreck removal, and environmental damage. However, it generally does not specifically cover damage to cargo resulting from the insured's negligence.

In most cases, damage to cargo due to the negligence of the insured would fall under the domain of a cargo insurance policy rather than P&I insurance. The responsibility for losses resulting from negligence, particularly those related to the care and handling of cargo, is usually addressed by separate arrangements or policies tailored to cargo risks.

Therefore, while P&I insurance does provide broad liability coverage, it would not extend to cover damage to cargo due to the negligence of the insured itself. Understanding the specific scope of P&I insurance helps clarify why this coverage does not apply in cases of negligence-related cargo damage.