Cargo Insurance

We can arrange marine cargo insurance for business customers, to cover against losses and damage to goods in transit at sea or by air on our services. We advise all customers to take up marine cargo insurance on all cargo for the full delivered value of the cargo, which includes freight charges. A freight forwarder's standard liability does not provide full cargo value cover as it is limited by the terms and conditions under which they trade, in our case those of the British International Freight Association (BIFA). We therefore we advise all customers to take up marine cargo insurance on a per shipment basis or through the arrangement of an annual policy.

General Average is used by vessel owners to share emergency costs incurred by the vessel in protection of the whole remaining cargo. An example is the Ever Given Suez Canal incident of March 2021, the vessel owner declared general average in order for salvage costs to be shared by the cargo owners, in proportion to the value of their cargo on the vessel. Having marine insurance cargo in place, ensures that you are adequately protected in such a situation.

When buying goods from overseas supplier on a freight prepaid basis the insurance risk up to the arrival port is usually the supplier's concern. This is definitely the case if your buying term is CIF. If you are an exporter and supplying to your customer on a prepaid basis, the risk of loss or damage to the cargo remains with you until the cargo is delivered to the agreed destination, you should ensure you have cover in place.

Marine cargo insurance can be provided on a case by case basis, or a policy can be taken out on an annual basis which covers all goods in transit for the year. For importers, please note that duty is payable on the cost of cargo insurance. Your customs clearance agent should be made aware of your premium in order to declare insurance costs on each and every customs entry submitted on your behalf.

We can arrange marine cargo insurance for your goods, please contact us by calling 0113 815 2830 or by emailing to sales@bosunlogistics.com, we look forward to being of service.