Logistics Insurance
Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane & Canberra

A logistics business may arrange transport, operate warehouses, consolidate loads and coordinate other carriers without physically handling every shipment. Describe the role performed at each stage: collection, cross-docking, storage, line haul, final delivery and returns. Identify when goods are in your custody and when another party takes control. Customer expectations may extend across the whole movement even where your own involvement is limited. Explain subcontracting, overseas movements and any specialist services such as temperature-controlled storage or high-value handling. That operational map provides a clearer starting point than a single description of freight or distribution services.

The nature and concentration of goods matter as much as annual turnover. A warehouse may hold a customer’s entire seasonal stock, while a transfer point may accumulate several loads for only a few hours. Record maximum values and the types of goods held or moved. Include fragile items, hazardous goods and products with temperature or security requirements where relevant. Describe loading equipment, access controls and the systems used to track consignments. These details help frame separate questions about cargo, warehouse liability, property and cyber exposures, each of which can have different insured interests and conditions.

Consignment notes, customer trading terms and subcontractor agreements can allocate responsibility for loss, damage and delay. Understand which terms apply to the movement and whether the customer has asked you to accept broader liability than usual. A promise to reimburse the full value of goods may exceed the liability accepted under a proposed policy. Ask how contractual assumptions, declared values and limitations are treated. Keep evidence of instructions about packing, handling, routes and delivery conditions. For an unusual or valuable shipment, raise the details before collection so the insurance discussion can address the actual arrangement.

Distinguish physical damage to goods from the commercial effects of late delivery. A shipment may arrive undamaged but still cause a dispute about missed production or an event deadline. Temperature excursions can also raise questions before visible deterioration is established. Ask which events and losses the wording addresses and what evidence would be needed. Review arrangements for goods stored between legs of a journey, including storage duration and third-party facilities. A policy described as transit cover should not be assumed to extend indefinitely to warehousing, nor should warehouse liability be assumed to insure the customer’s goods on an all-risks basis.

When a loss or shortage is reported, bring together the collection record, scans, transfer details, seal information and delivery evidence. Preserve temperature logs or photographs where they exist and are relevant. Record the difference between an item not scanned and an item confirmed missing. Contact points should be clear across dispatch, warehouse and customer service teams so the timeline does not fragment between systems. If goods need to be isolated, moved or disposed of, consider the policy’s assessment and approval requirements while taking appropriate steps to protect people and prevent further damage.

At renewal, review new routes, larger storage commitments and changes in the carriers used. Update maximum accumulation values when a major customer changes its stockholding pattern. Consider how a failure of the warehouse management system would affect identification, dispatch and evidence of custody. Test whether staff can access essential consignment information during an outage. Keep records of extra handling, temporary storage and other costs following an incident, but confirm the relevant cover before assuming reimbursement. A practical recovery plan should address the movement of goods and the reliability of the records that explain where they were throughout the disruption.