Cargo Insurance: Why Insure your Cargo?
WHAT IS A CARGO INSURANCE POLICY?
ALPI USA, Inc.’s role and what you will recover should a loss occur
Shipping by Ocean
While ALPI USA, Inc. arranges for the transportation of your goods, by law, it is the carrier who bears responsibility for loss or damage to your freight. The carrier’s liability for freight moving over the ocean is governed by the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA). Under the terms of COGSA, the most you could recover from shipping lines in the event they are proven negligent is $500 for each customary freight unit (CFU). Measurement of the CFU is widely defined, and it can vary from one container to one pallet.
COGSA is centered on the liability of the carrier. At the heart of the concept of carrier liability is the idea that the carrier is not responsible for paying claims if they did not cause or contribute to the loss. In the event that ALPI USA, Inc. acts as an NVOCC and assumes carrier liability, recovery in the event of a claim is still limited by COGSA in the bill of lading terms and conditions.
In an effort to better define carrier liability, Hague-Visby rules were created to define 17 circumstances under which the carrier cannot be held liable. If a loss is caused by any one of the following defenses; the ocean carrier will not pay for any part of the loss.
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Fire |
Defects not discoverable by due diligence |
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Perils or dangers of the sea (storms, etc.) |
Quarantine restrictions |
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Act of God |
Acts or omissions of the shipper or owner |
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Act of War |
Strikes, lockouts or labor shortage |
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Act of public enemies |
Riots or civil commotions |
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Arrest, restraint or seizure |
Inherent defect, quality or vice of the goods |
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Insufficient packing |
Attempting to save life or property at sea |
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Any neglect, default, or error of the carrier in navigation of or management of the ship |
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Shipping by Air
Air carriers limit their liability in a similar fashion as ocean carriers. Under the Montreal Convention, carriers will pay 19 SDRs (about $28) per kilogram only if it can be proven they were negligent. Once again, the burden of proof is on the shipper, and it is often difficult to prove that the carrier was at fault.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
“All Risk” Shipper’s Interest Coverage provides the owner of the cargo with coverage for direct physical loss or damage to the cargo without the need to prove liability. If a loss occurs; you will be paid directly and any recovery possible from the carrier will be handled by our subrogation specialists.
Advantages of Insuring Your Cargo Through ALPI USA, Inc.'s Policy
- Covered Losses are paid without the need to prove carrier negligence. After your loss is paid, we work with the carriers to ensure your historical losses are minimized.
- ALPI USA, Inc. will report and handle claims on your behalf