Maritime insurance and all rights and obligations arising from this legal transaction are realized by concluding an insurance contract. In addition to ships, other vessels and goods, the liability of shipowners also can be ensured. Protection of shipowners from liability is achieved by joining P.&I. clubs, specialized institutions for insurance of liability to third parties. P.&I. clubs operate on the principle of indemnity, ie members, by joining, undertake the obligation to jointly participate in bearing damages to other members.The main principle by which P.&I. clubs operate is the so-called pay to be paid or pay first rule according to which the insured shipowner can apply to the club for a refund of the amount only when it is proven that he is responsible for the damage caused to a third party and when the shipowner pays compensation. Liabilities for which P.&I. clubs providing coverage are: liability for collision damage, liability for cargo and items loaded on the insured ship; liability for bodily injury, illness and death of the ship's crew and other persons, obligations to the ship's crew, personal belongings of crew members and other persons, fines, investigative and criminal proceedings, damage to immovable or floating objects, quarantine costs, blind passengers, turning the ship, insurance of professional lifeguards, rescue of the ship, contributions to the joint accident, liability for the wreck of the insured vessel, pollution of the marine environment, liability from towing, costs related to the instructions of the club and legal costs.