Perishable & Cold-Chain Cargo Insurance

CALL FOR EXPERT ADVICE
GET A QUOTE NOW

Specialist insurance for temperature-controlled goods in transit - including food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, frozen goods and chilled produce.

CALL FOR EXPERT ADVICE
GET A QUOTE NOW

We compare quotes from specialist marine & cargo insurers

  • Allianz
  • Aviva
  • QBE
  • RSA
  • Zurich
  • NIG

PROTECTING TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE CARGO IN TRANSIT

  • Temp deviation

    TEMP DEVIATION RISKS

  • Spoilage

    SPOILAGE & DETERIORATION

  • Reefer breakdown

    REEFER FAILURE / BREAKDOWN

  • Delays

    DELAYS & LOGISTICS DISRUPTION

Insurance Designed for High-Risk Perishable Goods

Perishable cargo moves under strict temperature conditions. Even a small deviation can cause major losses. Our specialist cold-chain cargo policies cover goods during sea freight, road transport, air freight, and storage at transit points - depending on your needs.

What Perishable & Cold-Chain Cargo Insurance Can Cover

Protection for goods that require refrigeration, freezing, or controlled temperatures throughout transit.


  • Spoilage, deterioration or contamination due to temperature deviation
  • Mechanical or electrical breakdown of reefer units
  • Delay due to vessel breakdown, port congestion or documentation issues
  • Water damage, leakage, crushing or physical loss in transit
  • General Average and salvage charges
  • Warehouse-to-warehouse cover for multi-modal shipments

Who Is Cold-Chain Cargo Insurance For?

Businesses That Commonly Require Cover


  • Food importers/exporters (meat, dairy, fruit, vegetables, seafood)
  • Pharmaceutical manufacturers & distributors
  • Chemical and biotech companies
  • Frozen goods distributors and wholesalers
  • Retailers using international cold-chain supply routes

Key Cold-Chain Risks


  • Reefer malfunction or power failure
  • Extended customs inspections
  • Vessel delays & missed transhipments
  • Packaging or insulation failure
  • Transit temperature fluctuations

Why Arrange Your Cold-Chain Cover Through Insure24?


  • Access to specialist marine cargo & cold-chain markets
  • Experience with reefer-dependent supply chains
  • Advice on packaging, monitoring, routing and Incoterms
  • Fast placement for urgent or last-minute shipments
  • Dedicated claims support for temperature-related incidents
Quote icon

Insure24 helped us secure specialist cover for a temperature-critical pharma shipment. When delay struck at port, the loss was covered and handled quickly.

Amelia P., Pharmaceutical Export Manager

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

+ -

What qualifies as cold-chain cargo?

Cold-chain cargo includes goods that must remain within strict temperature ranges - such as food, pharmaceuticals, frozen goods, chemicals, and biotech products.

+ -

Does cargo insurance cover reefer breakdown?

Yes - specialist cold-chain policies can include cover for mechanical or electrical breakdown of refrigeration equipment leading to spoilage or deterioration.

+ -

Is delay covered if it causes temperature deviation?

Delay can be covered under certain specialist cargo policies, particularly where the delay leads to spoilage. Standard cargo policies may exclude pure delay unless it results from an insured peril.

+ -

Can I insure a single cold-chain shipment?

Yes - one-off cold-chain shipment policies are available. Businesses with regular refrigerated movements may benefit from annual or open-cover arrangements.

Related Blogs

Cargo Insurance Renewal Checklist: 12 Things to Review

Renewing your cargo insurance policy is more than just a routine administrative task. It's a critical opportunity to reassess your coverage, ensure your business is adequately protected, and potenti…

Best Cargo Insurance Providers UK 2025

By Insure 24

Best Cargo Insurance Providers UK 2025

Cargo insurance is essential for businesses involved in transporting goods, whether domestically or internationally. With the complexities of modern supply chains, choosing the right cargo insurance provider can me…

Suez Canal Delays and Cargo Insurance Coverage

By Insure 24

Suez Canal Delays and Cargo Insurance Coverage

The Suez Canal stands as one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, facilitating approximately 12% of global trade and serving as the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia. When disrup…

Cargo Insurance vs Carrier Liability: Why You Need Both

Introduction

When shipping goods, whether across town or across continents, protecting your cargo is crucial. Many business owners mistakenly believe that their carrier's liability coverage is suf…

Port Delays and Cargo Insurance: What's Covered?

By Insure 24

Port Delays and Cargo Insurance: What's Covered?

15 min read Published: 2025

In today's global supply chain landscape, port delays have become an increasingly common challenge for businesses involved in international trade. These delays…

Cargo Theft Insurance: Protecting Against Transit Crime

In today's interconnected global supply chain, the movement of goods across borders and through various transit points has become increasingly complex. Unfortunately, this complexity has also creat…

Top 10 Cargo Insurance Claims and How to Prevent Them

In the dynamic world of logistics and freight transport, cargo insurance claims represent a significant challenge for businesses. Understanding the most common types of claims and implementin…

Cargo Insurance for China-UK Trade: Risks & Coverage

Introduction

In today's globalised economy, international trade between China and the UK represents a significant portion of business activity. With goods constantly crossing oceans and borders, …

Cargo Insurance Claims Process: Step-by-Step Guide

Cargo insurance claims can be complex and time-consuming, but understanding the process can help you protect your business and ensure smooth handling of claims. This comprehensive guide will walk …

What Is Cargo Insurance? Complete UK Guide 2025

 

Introduction

Cargo insurance is a critical safeguard for businesses that transport goods, whether domestically within the UK or internationally across borders. In 2025, with global supply chains b…