Average Adjuster

An Average Adjuster is a professional who specializes in handling the adjustment of general average and particular average in marine insurance. Their core responsibility is, after a marine casualty, to determine the contributory values for general average sacrifices and expenditures according to the adjustment rules in the bill of lading, charter party, or insurance policy (such as the York-Antwerp Rules), and to prepare an adjustment statement as the basis for the amounts to be contributed by each beneficiary. Use cases include: after a general average occurs, the shipowner declares general average and appoints an adjuster; cargo owners must provide general average security before taking delivery; insurance companies refer to the adjustment report when settling claims. Notes: The adjuster is usually appointed by the shipowner but must remain neutral; the adjustment process takes a long time and may affect cargo owners' taking delivery; the adjustment fees themselves are also part of general average. Unlike an insurance loss adjuster, who mainly assesses particular average losses, an average adjuster focuses on general average contribution; unlike a maritime lawyer, an adjuster does not handle litigation but only performs technical adjustment. Foreign trade practitioners should understand that under terms such as FOB and CIF, if general average occurs, the buyer may bear contribution obligations, so attention should be paid to the general average clause in the bill of lading.