All-risk cover
Institute Cargo Clauses (A) cover for the full commercial value plus freight and a margin.
Cargo insurance that actually pays out
Carrier liability is not insurance. It is capped by international convention, and the cap is almost always far below what your cargo is worth.
Overview
Cargo Insurance with King Freight Maritime
Most shippers discover the difference between carrier liability and cargo insurance at the worst possible moment. Under the Hague-Visby Rules a carrier’s liability is limited by package or by weight, and the resulting figure rarely resembles the commercial value of the goods.
King Freight Maritime arranges all-risk marine and air cargo cover through licensed underwriters, and handles the claim with you if something goes wrong — which is the part that actually matters.
What is included
Correct valuation
Cover set at invoice value plus freight plus the customary 10 per cent, so you are not under-insured.
Warehouse to warehouse
Cover running from the origin warehouse to the destination warehouse, not just port to port.
Specialist extensions
War, strikes, riot and civil commotion cover where the route or the destination calls for it.
Claims support
Survey arranged, documents assembled and the claim pursued by us rather than handed back to you.
Open cover policies
Annual open cover for regular shippers, so each consignment is declared rather than separately negotiated.
At a glance
| Cover | What it protects against | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Institute Cargo Clauses (A) | All risks of loss or damage, subject to exclusions | Most containerised and general cargo |
| Institute Cargo Clauses (B) | Named perils, broader than C | Bulk and lower-value commodities |
| Institute Cargo Clauses (C) | Limited named perils only | Low-value, robust commodities |
| War and strikes clauses | War, strikes, riot, civil commotion | Sensitive routes and destinations |
| Open cover | Annual policy covering declared shipments | Regular shippers with predictable volumes |
Insurance is arranged through licensed insurers. King Freight Maritime facilitates cover and supports claims; the policy contract is between you and the insurer.
Documents we will need
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading or airway bill
- Insurance declaration
- Survey report in the event of a claim
- Claim bill and supporting correspondence
Frequently asked questions
Is my cargo not already covered by the carrier?
No. Carriers carry limited liability, not insurance, and that liability is capped by convention — often a fraction of the commercial value. It also requires you to prove carrier fault, which is frequently impossible with sealed containers.
What value should I insure for?
The standard basis is commercial invoice value plus freight plus ten per cent, which covers the incidental costs of a loss as well as the goods. Insuring for invoice value alone leaves you out of pocket even on a fully successful claim.
What is not covered?
Standard exclusions include inherent vice, ordinary leakage and wear, insufficient packing, wilful misconduct and delay. Insufficient packing is the exclusion that catches shippers most often — cover does not compensate for cargo that was not prepared to survive normal handling.
What should I do if cargo arrives damaged?
Note the damage on the delivery receipt before signing, photograph everything before it is moved, and tell us the same day. Do not dispose of packaging. Late notice and missing evidence are the two most common reasons claims are reduced or refused.
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Ready to move your next shipment?
Send us the lane and the commodity. We will come back with a rate, a cut-off date and the documents you need — within one working day.