The MMIA was formed in 1904, by the various Marine Underwriting companies operating in Manchester at that time, with the principal objective of fostering co-operation and business sharing at a time when competition among Underwriters was felt to be undermining the business of marine insurance and was potentially endangering the prospect of long term profitability.

MMIA has moved on since then, to the point where there is no longer a MMIA Combined Policy Form and where it is rare for an Underwriter to write less than a 100% line on a risk. The Association has had to adapt to changing circumstances and continually to monitor, and update, its aims and objectives.

Currently the emphasis is on education, knowledge sharing and co-operation, yet within an environment of healthy competition. In addition the Association looks to foster social contact between staff at all levels of the member organisations .

This web site is intended to act as a means of communication between members and as a technical reference point. The pages within offer the facility for "discussion" between members, for keeping in touch with Association activities and events and for accessing information and advice from a whole range of sources both within and external to the Association.

The Committee of the Association intends the web site to be its principal means of communicating with members and intends for it to evolve progressively based on members' feedback.