What does the clause "particular average" in ocean marine policy indicate?

The clause "particular average" in an ocean marine policy indicates that only one party shares in the loss associated with a specific incident or damage. This ensures that if a certain risk materializes—such as damage to a specific cargo—only the owner of that cargo is responsible for the loss and does not require sharing the cost of the loss with others involved, like the shipowner or other cargo owners.

This principle is crucial in marine insurance since it specifies how losses are handled with respect to individual property interests, clarifying that while some losses may be shared in other contexts (like general average), this particular clause focuses on individual losses. It addresses losses that are not widespread or shared among all parties but instead impact only specific interests under the policy, making it important for the insured to understand the limitations and responsibilities that come with "particular average."