A talk with an underwriter in 1802

A booth at the coffee shop… 

Mr. Norton: Your porcelain shipment is a fragile commodity. The charge for insurance is contingent upon the declared worth thereof, and the character of the vessel employed.
Mr. Darcy: And what sort of vessel would you deem most fit for such goods in these times?
Mr. Norton: A sound merchantman, sir, possessed of a firm reputation. A packet ship, or an East Indiaman of robust build, would best secure your wares against the perils of the ocean.
Mr. Darcy: And what premium might be expected for coverage of said shipment?
Mr. Norton: Generally, one might reckon a rate of from three to five percent upon the cargo’s value. Given the unsettled nature of the seas, owing to the ongoing continental wars, the higher rate would naturally apply.
Mr. Darcy: Are circumstances presently perilous?
Mr. Norton: Quite so. The Napoleonic conflicts impart notable hazards—privateers, naval blockades. Such perils must be borne by mind and purse alike.
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Voice-over

Mr Norton, an underwriter with a good reputation, explains customary clauses relating to claims, delays and indemnification, and gives advice on selecting a well-appointed vessel under the command of a captain known for careful conduct. A further appointment is arranged for the signing of a contract.