In short

Marine insurance covers goods while they are being transported, whether by sea, air, road or rail. Cover can be arranged for a single shipment or as an open policy that automatically covers every consignment you move during the year.

Overview

Once goods leave your premises you no longer control what happens to them, but your contract usually still says who carries the risk. Marine cover follows the goods across that gap.

Most businesses moving regular volume should hold an open policy rather than buying single transit certificates. It is cheaper per shipment, nothing gets forgotten, and declarations are made periodically instead of shipment by shipment.

What is covered, and what is not

Typically covered

Physical loss or damage in transit, on the terms of the clauses chosen
Sea, air, road and rail movement, including inland transit
Loading, unloading and transhipment
General average and salvage charges
Storage in the ordinary course of transit, within limits
War and strikes cover, where added

Typically excluded

Inadequate or unsuitable packing
Inherent vice and ordinary leakage or wear
Delay, and loss of market caused by delay
Wilful misconduct of the insured
Insolvency of the carrier, subject to the wording

Cover and exclusions vary by insurer and by the wording issued for your risk. We confirm the exact terms on the quotation before you buy.

Who needs this cover

Importers, exporters, manufacturers moving raw material and finished goods, distributors, and anyone whose sale terms leave the risk with them during transit.

Why buy this through Trust Cover

Insurer-neutral advice

Quotations from several insurers, compared on wording and claims record, not premium alone.

Exclusions explained first

You see what is not covered before you buy, in plain language.

Claims handled by us

We prepare the file, submit it and chase settlement on your behalf.

How a claim works

Note the damage on the carrier's delivery document before signing clean receipt.
Give written notice to the carrier and the insurer immediately.
Photograph the packing and the damage before unpacking further.
Arrange survey through the insurer - do not dispose of packing material.
We submit the claim with invoice, packing list, bill of lading or LR, and survey report.

Working with us

We are insurer-neutral. For every enquiry we approach multiple insurers, compare the wordings as well as the premiums, and tell you where they differ on the points that decide a claim.

After the policy is issued we stay involved: endorsements, mid-term changes, renewal reminders that start ninety days before expiry, and claims that we prepare, submit and follow to settlement.