THE PRINCIPLES AND FINANCE

OF

FIRE INSURANCE

BY

F. HARCOURT KITCHIN, B.A., A.Ι.Α.

Late Scholar of Selwyn College, Cambridge
Editor of "Bourne's Insurance Directory," etc.
Recognised Teacher of Insurance in the University of London

TIBRAP

OF THE

UNIVERSITY

GF

:

PREFACE.

In the autumn of 1903 I had the honour to deliver a course of ten lectures at the London School of Economics (University of London) on "The Principles, Practice and Finance of Fire Insurance". These lectures were well received, and caused a gratifying amount of interest, not only among those who listened to them, but also among insurance officials outside. I have, therefore, ventured to recast my Lectures in the form of this book, and present the result in the hope that it will be accepted as a serious study in the comparative science of insurance.

For many years past I have had opportunities of being in close touch with nearly every branch of insurance business, and it has become a matter of conviction that no one branch can be profitably studied by itself. The great branch of insurance on property known as Fire Insurance is closely akin in many respects to the other great branch of Marine Insurance. And in dealing with Fire Insurance here I