Freight Insurance
Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane & Canberra

Freight insurance can mean cover for goods being moved or liability connected with arranging and carrying them. Start by explaining whether the business owns the cargo, sells it, buys it, transports it or arranges transport for others. Identify when responsibility passes under the sale or transport agreement. A carrier’s limited liability may not match the full value of the goods, so the existence of a freight contract should not be assumed to provide adequate cargo protection. The insurance discussion should be clear about which interest is being insured and for which part of the journey.

Describe the cargo and route in practical terms. Include value, packaging, fragility, temperature needs, modes of transport and any intermediate storage. A shipment may move by road, sea and air with several handovers. Explain loading and unloading responsibilities and whether goods are consolidated with other consignments. High value equipment, perishables, used machinery and dangerous goods can raise different underwriting questions. Loss or physical damage is also distinct from delay, loss of market or a missed project deadline. Ask how those consequences are treated rather than assuming broad cargo cover includes every commercial loss associated with a shipment.

Keep the purchase or sale contract, invoice, packing list and transport documents together. They help establish the goods, value, route and responsibility at each stage. For international movements, explain the agreed delivery terms and obtain suitable advice where their meaning is unclear. Bills of lading, airway bills and consignment notes may contain limits, notice procedures and claims conditions relevant to recovery. The insurance should be arranged with a clear account of the transit rather than after a problem reveals uncertainty about who was expected to insure the goods.

Ask when cover starts and ends, whether temporary storage is included and how deviations or additional handling are treated. Check the basis of valuation, any per conveyance or location limit and the treatment of packing, inherent vice and temperature variation. For annual arrangements, review declarations and the maximum shipment value. A single large project delivery may need separate discussion even if most consignments are small. If a subcontracted carrier is involved, confirm the relevant responsibilities without assuming its certificate covers your full exposure. Liability for misdelivery or delay can require a different analysis from damage to the cargo itself.

When goods arrive damaged or short, record the condition, packaging, seal details and quantities as soon as practical. Retain photographs and transport documents, and note any visible issue on the relevant delivery record where appropriate. Protect the goods from further damage and seek guidance before disposal or extensive repairs, unless safety or perishability requires immediate action. Notify the broker and relevant carrier through the applicable process. Keep a record of salvage, refunds and replacement costs so the financial loss can be assessed without counting the same amount twice or losing track of recoveries.

At renewal, review cargo types, routes, shipment values and storage arrangements. A new overseas supplier or a change from finished stock to fragile machinery can alter the exposure significantly. Consider where several consignments accumulate at one terminal or warehouse. Review packing and handling problems from previous movements and whether transport terms have changed. Ask how the cover addresses the longest and most complex journey the business now undertakes. A useful freight review follows ownership, responsibility and physical movement together, making it clear which goods are insured before the next shipment leaves the supplier. Keep the agreed route and any approved changes visible to the staff arranging dispatch.