Membership in MICA is open to anyone who is interested in marine claims. There are no charges for membership. The organization began sometime in 1944 during World War II. The raw materials needed to feed and supply the armed forces were transported to the factories in the United States and Canada that made the goods. The cargoes and vessels were insured. Ordinary losses such as water damage, slackage and non-delivery occurred. The war effort demanded that the vessels keep on operating and that the vessel's officers not be detained from their duties. Cargo claims arose and accumulated. How were these claims to be processed and adjusted without affecting the war effort? Arrangements were made by the steamship claims agents to sit down with their counterparts on the insurance side to work a reasonable solution to settle these claims matters. Through all the years, MICA has remained true to its purpose - the creation of an atmosphere in which marine claims can be resolved in a reasonable manner by the parties themselves through the development of trust in each other. Please join us. |