How to Choose the Right Cargo Insurance Policy

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A practical guide to selecting the right level of protection for your shipments - from basic cover to specialist, high-risk cargo insurance.

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We compare quotes from leading insurers

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CARGO INSURANCE - KEY FACTORS

  • TYPE OF GOODS

  • ROUTE RISKS

  • MODE OF TRANSPORT

  • VALUE & HANDLING NEEDS

Making Sense of Cargo Insurance Options

Cargo insurance varies widely - from basic cover for standard goods through to high-risk policies designed to protect shipments exposed to war zones, fragile handling, temperature sensitivity and multi-modal transit.

Choosing the right policy ensures your goods are protected against the most likely risks based on your commodity, route, carriers and storage conditions.

Key Factors When Selecting a Cargo Insurance Policy

Match your cover to the exposure level of your shipments.


  • Type of commodity (fragile, high-value, perishable, hazardous)
  • Transport mode (sea, air, road, rail or multi-modal)
  • Origin and destination (risk rating, sanctions, war zones)
  • Storage periods and handling points
  • Packaging quality and containerisation
  • Carrier reliability and transit times
  • Regulatory requirements & Incoterms (FOB, CIF, etc.)
  • Value and fragility of the goods

Common Types of Cargo Insurance Policies


  • All-Risks Cargo Insurance
  • Named Perils / Standard Cargo Cover
  • Warehouse-to-Warehouse Cover
  • War, Strike & Political Risk Cover
  • Specialist cover for fragile, hazardous or refrigerated cargo
  • Multi-modal policies (sea/air/road/rail)

Why Choose Insure24 for Cargo Insurance?


  • Specialists in marine, freight & global logistics insurance
  • Tailored policies for commodity, route & risk level
  • Fast quotes from leading UK cargo insurers
  • Support with claims, documentation & compliance
  • Flexible cover for single shipments or annual policies

“Insure24 helped us understand our risks and choose the right cargo cover - no overpaying for things we didn’t need.”

Laura P., International Freight Coordinator

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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What type of cargo insurance is best for high-value goods?

All-Risks Cargo Insurance offers the broadest protection and is generally recommended for high-value, fragile or sensitive goods.

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Do I need different cover for sea, air or road transport?

It depends on your route and carriers. Multi-modal policies provide unified protection for shipments moving through multiple transport modes.

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Is Warehouse-to-Warehouse cover included?

Most comprehensive policies include Warehouse-to-Warehouse cover, protecting goods from origin pickup to final delivery.

+-

Do Incoterms affect who should arrange insurance?

Yes - terms like FOB, CIF and EXW determine which party is responsible for insuring the goods at different stages of transit.

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Can I insure a single shipment?

Yes - one-off shipment policies are available, or you can choose an annual policy if you ship regularly.

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