Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are now central to subsea pipeline inspection—supporting integrity management, leak detection, cathodic protection surveys, and post-incident investigations. The work is high value, technically complex, and often performed in harsh conditions where a single failure can trigger expensive recovery costs, project delays, and liability disputes.
From an insurance perspective, ROV pipeline inspection sits at the intersection of:
High-value mobile equipment
Offshore operations and marine liabilities
Professional services (survey, reporting, interpretation)
Contract-driven risk transfer (knock-for-knock, indemnities, waivers)
That combination means “standard” contractor insurance often leaves gaps—especially around offshore extensions, equipment in transit, and the line between physical damage and professional negligence.
Insurers underwrite ROV work based on predictable failure modes. Your cover should be built around them.
Umbilical snagging on subsea infrastructure
Thruster failure leading to collision with pipeline or structure
Flooding of electronics due to seal failure
Damage during launch and recovery in heavy sea state
Even when the ROV itself is insured, the biggest cost can be retrieval:
Mobilising a vessel and specialist team
ROV recovery tools, grapnels, cutters
Additional dive support or alternative ROV deployment
Pipeline inspection involves operating close to critical assets. Potential third-party property damage includes:
Pipeline coating damage
Impact damage to subsea valves, manifolds, or risers
Damage to client-installed sensors or subsea structures
A pipeline incident can trigger major pollution exposure. Even if you didn’t cause the leak, allegations can arise if your work:
Missed a defect
Misinterpreted data
Recommended an incorrect intervention
Offshore contracts often include:
Broad indemnities
Consequential loss exclusions (sometimes one-sided)
Liquidated damages for delay
Waivers of subrogation
Insurance may not automatically cover liabilities you assume under contract unless they would have existed at law.
Pipeline inspection is not just “operating a robot.” It’s also:
Survey planning
Data capture and QA
Interpretation and reporting
Recommendations for integrity management
A claim may allege that your report was wrong, incomplete, or late—causing the client to make a costly decision.
ROV systems and inspection data are increasingly digital and connected:
Malware or ransomware impacting operations
Data loss or corruption n- Confidentiality breaches (client asset maps, integrity data)
There is no single “ROV insurance policy.” Most contractors build a programme combining several covers.
This is the foundation: cover for physical loss or damage to your ROV, tooling, sensors, and associated equipment.
What it typically covers:
Accidental damage
Theft (including from vehicles or storage—subject to conditions)
Fire, flood, storm
Transit risks (often by endorsement)
Key questions to ask:
Is the ROV covered worldwide or only in the UK?
Does cover apply offshore and subsea?
Is the ROV insured on an “all risks” basis?
Are spares, tooling, and payloads included?
Are hired-in ROVs or hired tooling covered?
Common gaps:
Exclusions for “wear and tear” or “gradual deterioration” (fine), but also broad exclusions for “mechanical breakdown” that can be too restrictive.
Limited cover while equipment is “in use” offshore.
No cover for recovery/salvage costs.
Tip: Ensure the sum insured reflects replacement cost, not book value—ROVs and sensors can be hard to replace quickly.
ROV kits move constantly—between depots, ports, vessels, and client sites.
Why it matters: Standard equipment policies may not fully cover:
International shipping
Air freight
Sea transit
Port storage and customs delays
A dedicated cargo policy (or robust transit extension) can cover:
Door-to-door shipments
Packing and unpacking risks
General average and salvage charges
Public liability responds to third-party injury or property damage arising from your operations.
For ROV pipeline inspection, the crucial point is whether the policy is extended to:
Offshore work
Work on or from vessels
Subsea operations
“Care, custody, and control” exposures
Key areas to check:
Territorial limits (UK only vs worldwide)
Jurisdiction (UK courts only vs worldwide)
Offshore exclusions (common in standard policies)
Property damage to “the thing being worked on”
If you provide reports, interpretation, or recommendations, PI is often essential.
PI may respond to:
Negligent survey design
Incorrect interpretation of inspection data
Failure to identify defects
Late delivery of reports causing client loss
Watch-outs:
PI is usually written on a claims-made basis (you need continuous cover).
Contractual liability exclusions can bite if you agree to broad indemnities.
“Fitness for purpose” obligations are often uninsurable.
Practical approach: Align your contract wording with what PI can cover—avoid guarantees and keep obligations to “reasonable skill and care.”
If you employ staff in the UK, Employers’ Liability is typically compulsory.
For offshore work, ensure:
The policy includes offshore activities where relevant
You understand any conditions around work on vessels or outside UK waters
If you charter vessels, operate from client vessels, or provide crew, you may need specialist marine liability.
Depending on your role, this may include:
Charterers’ liability
Protection & Indemnity (P&I) exposures
Liability for damage to the vessel or equipment on board
Often, the vessel owner’s P&I covers the vessel, but contracts can push responsibilities back onto contractors.
A damaged ROV can stop operations immediately. Business interruption cover can help with:
Loss of gross profit
Additional increased cost of working (e.g., hiring replacement equipment)
Some offshore projects also involve delay-related exposures, but cover can be limited and highly dependent on contract structure.
Cyber cover is increasingly relevant for contractors handling sensitive infrastructure data.
A good cyber policy can support:
Incident response and forensics
Business interruption from cyber events
Data restoration
Liability to third parties
Insurance doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Offshore pipeline inspection contracts can create exposures that policies won’t pick up.
Many offshore contracts use knock-for-knock: each party bears its own people and property losses, regardless of fault.
This can be beneficial, but it requires:
Your own equipment insurance to be strong
Waivers of subrogation to be acceptable to insurers
Most liability policies exclude pure financial loss unless it stems from bodily injury or property damage.
If your contract includes:
Liquidated damages for delay
Consequential loss exposure
…you need to understand whether it’s insurable, capped, or excluded.
If you agree to indemnify the client beyond common law negligence, insurers may decline.
Best practice: Keep indemnities proportionate, cap liability where possible, and align obligations to negligence and reasonable skill and care.
If you want competitive terms, expect questions about:
ROV type, age, and replacement value
Typical operating depth and environment
Launch and recovery methods
Maintenance and pre-dive check procedures
Crew competence, training, and experience
Incident history and near-miss reporting
Contracting model (who is principal, who provides vessel)
Geographic areas and jurisdictions
Data handling and cyber controls
Having a clear risk presentation can reduce premiums and improve cover.
Use this as a starting point when reviewing your cover.
Confirm offshore/subsea operations are included (not excluded by default)
Ensure equipment cover includes recovery/salvage costs where possible
Add transit/cargo cover for international logistics
Match territorial limits and jurisdiction to contract requirements
Add PI if you provide inspection reports or recommendations
Review contractual liability and indemnity wording for insurability
Check hired-in equipment cover and cross-hire exposures
Confirm policy definitions of “property in your care, custody, and control”
Keep asset schedules up to date (ROVs, tooling, sensors)
If you provide deliverables that a client relies on—data, interpretation, or a report—you may face allegations of negligence. PI is often advisable even if you don’t make final integrity decisions.
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Many standard equipment policies are not designed for subsea use. You need explicit confirmation that underwater/offshore use is included.
Not always. Recovery and salvage can be a major uninsured exposure unless specifically included.
It depends on contract requirements, client profile, and operating environment. Many offshore clients require higher limits than typical onshore contracting.
Often this is restricted because it may be considered “the thing being worked on” or property in your control. You may need specialist wording or rely on contract allocation.
ROV pipeline inspection is a specialist, high-stakes service. The right insurance programme is less about buying the biggest limits and more about making sure the policy language matches the reality of subsea operations, offshore contracts, and professional deliverables.
If you want your cover to respond when it matters, start with a clear map of your operational risks and contract obligations—then build equipment, liability, PI, transit, and cyber cover around that.
CTA: If you’re an ROV contractor or pipeline inspection firm operating in the UK or internationally, get a specialist review of your contracts and insurance schedule before mobilisation—small wording gaps can become big losses offshore.
Arctic and sub-Arctic work is unforgiving. Cold water, ice, wind, darkness, and extreme remoteness turn “minor” incidents into major losses fast. Whether you’re operati…
Platform decommissioning (offshore oil & gas, marine structures, and associated topsides/subsea assets) is a different beast to routine maintenance…
Offshore wind installation is a high-value, high-risk phase of a project. A single loss can delay commissioning, trigger liquidated damages,…
Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are now central to subsea pipeline inspection—supporting integrity management, leak detection, cathodic pro…
Subsea cable installation is a high-value, high-risk operation. A single incident—dropped equipment, vessel collision, weather downt…
There isn’t one universal “best” marine equipment insurance provider in the UK for 2025. The right choice …
Marine equipment insurance renewals have a habit of sneaking up on you—right when you’re busiest. And because marine kit often moves between sites (yard, vessel, quay, workshop, storage,…
When running a marine-related business in the UK, protecting your valuable equipment and operations is essential. Whether you operate a boat repair yard, marine engineering firm, yacht brokera…
When operating a marine-related business or owning vessels and equipment, understanding the right insurance coverage is critical to protecting your assets and operations. Two key typ…
The underwater technology sector has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, with Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) becoming essential tools across mult…
When operating in deep water environments, equipment failure isn't just an inconvenience—it can be catastrophic. Whether you're running a commercial diving operation, offshore construction…
The subsea industry operates in one of the most challenging environments on Earth. When installing equipment thousands of feet below the ocean surface, the margin for error is razor-thin, and…
Working at height is one of the most hazardous activities in construction, maintenance, and industrial sectors. Tether systems—including fall arrest equipment, harnesses, lanyards, and …
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) represent a significant investment for businesses operating in marine research, offshore energy, underwater construction, and environmental monitoring sect…
Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) represent significant capital investments for businesses operating in offshore industries. From subsea inspections to oil and gas operations, these sophisticated mach…
Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) represent significant investments for businesses operating in subsea industries, offshore energy, marine research, and underwater inspection sectors. These sophisticated p…
For businesses that rely on heavy machinery, specialized equipment, or technical apparatus, regular inspection and certification are not just regulatory requirements—they are fundame…
The subsea industry represents one of the most challenging and high-risk sectors in modern commerce. Operating beneath the ocean's surface demands exceptional safety protocols, rigorous standards, and…
The maritime industry operates in one of the most challenging environments on earth. Saltwater corrosion, extreme weather conditions, constant mechanical stress, and the sheer complexity of modern …
When operating in subsea environments, offshore installations, or deep excavation projects, equipment failure at depth presents unique challenges and potentially catastrophic financial consequences. Underst…
When operating equipment that relies on tethering systems, the consequences of failure can be catastrophic. From construction sites to marine operations, telecommunications installations to industrial faci…
Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) represent a significant capital investment for businesses operating in subsea, offshore, and underwater inspection industries. These sophisticated pieces of equipment can…
The subsea industry operates in one of the most challenging environments on Earth. Equipment deployed beneath the ocean's surface faces extreme pressures, corrosive saltwater, unpredictable current…
Marine equipment represents a significant investment for businesses operating in maritime sectors, from commercial fishing operations to marine construction and offshore services. Understanding t…
The aquaculture industry has experienced remarkable growth over the past decade, with fish farming operations expanding to meet global demand for sustainable seafood. As these operations become more…
Scuba diving offers enthusiasts the opportunity to explore underwater worlds, discover marine life, and experience the thrill of weightlessness beneath the waves. However, this exhilarating hob…
Marine research institutions face a unique combination of risks that set them apart from traditional academic facilities. From deep-sea submersibles to coastal laboratories, oceanographic vessels …
Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) operators face unique challenges in their daily operations, from deep-sea exploration to underwater infrastructure inspection. The specialized nature of ROV work demands equally…
The subsea engineering sector represents one of the most technically demanding and high-risk areas of the engineering industry. Operating in extreme underwater environments, subsea engineering firm…
Marine survey companies operate in a specialized and high-risk environment where precision, expertise, and professional judgment are critical. Whether conducting pre-purchase surveys, damage …
Operating in the offshore services sector presents unique challenges and risks that require specialized insurance coverage. Whether your company provides marine support, platform maintenance, subs…
The subsea contracting industry operates in one of the most challenging and high-risk environments on Earth. From offshore oil and gas installations to renewable energy projects and underwater in…
Operating high-pressure equipment in deep-depth environments presents unique challenges and substantial risks. Whether your business involves commercial diving, subsea construction, offshore oil a…
Operating equipment in harsh environments presents unique challenges that standard insurance policies often fail to address. Whether your business operates in extreme temperatures, corrosive atmo…
Operating water-based equipment in tropical climates presents unique challenges that require specialized insurance coverage. From intense UV exposure and saltwater corrosion to hurricane risks …
Operating equipment in the Arctic and North Sea presents some of the most challenging conditions in the world. Extreme cold, ice formation, harsh weather, and remote locations create unique risks th…
Operating equipment in shallow water environments presents unique challenges and risks that require specialized insurance coverage. Whether you're involved in marine construction, dredging, coastal m…
Published on Insure24 | Commercial Insurance for Specialist Operations
Ultra-deep water operations represent some of the most cha…
Offshore construction projects represent some of the most complex and high-risk ventures in the construction industry. From oil and gas platforms to wind farms and sub…
Setting up a new platform—whether it's an industrial manufacturing system, digital infrastructure, logistics network, or technology platform—represents a significant investme…
Marine research represents one of the most challenging and rewarding scientific endeavours, yet it comes with substantial financial and operational risks. From deep-sea exploration vess…
The subsea maintenance industry operates in one of the world's most challenging and unpredictable environments. From remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to specialized tooling and interventi…
Subsea infrastructure represents some of the most valuable and vulnerable assets in the global energy and telecommunications sectors. From oil and gas pipelines to undersea cables and producti…
Platform decommissioning represents one of the most complex and costly operations in the oil, gas, and renewable energy sectors. Whether you're involved in offshore platform removal, ons…
A comprehensive guide to protecting your offshore pipeline operations with specialist insurance and maintenance coverage
Subsea pipeline infrastructure represents one of…
A comprehensive guide to protecting your subsea infrastructure projects
Subsea cable installation represents one of the most critical yet complex infrastructure…
The offshore wind industry represents one of the most dynamic and rapidly expanding sectors in renewable energy. As governments worldwide commit to net-zero targets and businesses inve…
Subsea manipulators represent some of the most sophisticated and expensive equipment in marine operations. These robotic arms, capable of performing intricate tasks thousands of metr…
Published: 2025 | Updated: November 2025 | Reading Time: 12 minutes
Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) represent significant investments for marine, offshore, and inspection operations. …
Operating subsea equipment is one of the most challenging and expensive undertakings in modern industry. Whether you're involved in offshore oil and gas exploration, renewabl…
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) represent a revolutionary leap in marine technology, enabling businesses to conduct deep-sea exploration, environmental monitoring, offshore infras…
Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) have revolutionized industries from offshore oil and gas exploration to marine research and underwater construction. However, operating these sophisticated piece…
The subsea industry operates in one of the most challenging environments on Earth. Deepwater operations require specialized equipment, including cutting tools and …
Underwater inspection equipment represents a significant investment for marine contractors, research institutions, and subsea service providers. From remotely oper…
The oil and gas industry represents one of the most capital-intensive and high-risk sectors in the global economy. From offshore drilling platforms to onshore production facilities, co…
Subsea lighting equipment represents a critical investment for marine research facilities, offshore oil and gas operations, aquaculture farms, and underwater tourism ventures. These special…
Complete guide to protecting your LARS equipment with comprehensive commercial insurance
Launch and Recovery System (LARS) equipment represents a significant in…
Offshore oil and gas operations depend on sophisticated topside control equipment to manage production, safety, and environmental compliance. These surface systems represent millions of poun…
Tether Management Systems (TMS) represent critical infrastructure in offshore operations, subsea construction, and deepwater exploration. These sophisticated systems manage umbilical cables that d…
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) represent cutting-edge technology in marine surveying, oceanographic research, and subsea operations. These sophisticated robotic systems can cos…
Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) have become indispensable in offshore and subsea operations, enabling companies to conduct critical work in deep water environments where human presence …
Marine equipment insurance protects one of your most valuable business assets. Whether you operate fishing vessels, cargo ships, offshore platforms, or maritime support equipment, understanding the…
Marine equipment insurance is a specialized form of commercial insurance designed to protect businesses that operate, own, or rely on maritime equipment and machinery. Whether y…
My Account
