Single-Shipment Cargo Insurance

CALL FOR EXPERT ADVICE
GET A QUOTE NOW

One-off cover for a single cargo movement by sea, air, road or rail - ideal for ad-hoc, project or high-value shipments.

CALL FOR EXPERT ADVICE
GET A QUOTE NOW

We compare quotes from leading insurers

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

ONE-OFF CARGO COVER FOR A SINGLE JOURNEY

Flexible single-trip cover when you don’t need an annual cargo policy

Single-Shipment Cargo Insurance is ideal when you only have one or a small number of shipments to insure - such as one-off imports or exports, project cargo, new machinery orders or occasional consignments outside your normal trade. You pay for cover for that shipment only, with terms tailored to the route, value and goods.

What Single-Shipment Cargo Insurance Can Cover

Protection for one defined shipment, from departure point to final destination.


  • Physical loss or damage to cargo from external causes
  • Cover during loading, main transit and unloading
  • Ocean, air, road and rail transits (or combinations)
  • Theft, pilferage and non-delivery (subject to terms)
  • Damage from collision, grounding, fire or overturning
  • General average and salvage contributions
  • Project cargo and one-off machinery shipments
  • New purchases or occasional export consignments
  • Door-to-door or warehouse-to-warehouse cover

Who Is Single-Shipment Cargo Cover For?

Typical Clients & Scenarios


  • Businesses importing or exporting goods infrequently
  • One-off shipments of plant, machinery or equipment
  • Project cargo for construction or infrastructure work
  • New trading routes or trial export markets
  • Single container, batch or consignment shipments
  • Occasional high-value orders that exceed standard cover

Why Choose Single-Trip Instead of Annual Cargo?


  • You do not ship regularly enough to justify an annual policy
  • A one-off shipment falls outside your existing cargo scope
  • A large or high-value shipment needs specific limits and terms
  • A customer requires evidence of cover for a particular shipment
  • You are testing new suppliers, routes or markets on a trial basis

Why Arrange Single-Shipment Cover Through Insure24?


  • Access to marine cargo insurers for one-off shipments
  • Flexible cover based on your shipment value and route
  • Advice on Incoterms, responsibilities and evidence of insurance
  • Support with documents for banks, customers and suppliers
  • Ability to move to an annual cargo policy as volumes grow
Quote icon

“We only ship overseas a few times a year. Insure24 arranged single-shipment cargo cover quickly each time, with documentation our suppliers and bank were happy with.”

Finance Director, Engineering Company

ONLY PAY FOR THE COVER YOU NEED


  • Cover for a single clearly-defined cargo movement
  • Suitable for occasional or high-value shipments
  • Can be arranged quickly with key details of the load
  • Door-to-door protection across agreed routes
  • A stepping stone to full annual cargo programmes

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

+-

What is Single-Shipment Cargo Insurance?

Single-Shipment Cargo Insurance provides cover for one specific movement of goods, from a named origin to a named destination, over an agreed time period and route. It is designed for businesses that need one-off or occasional cargo cover rather than an annual policy.

+-

What information do I need to arrange cover?

Insurers will usually need details of the goods, their value, packing, origin and destination, route, transport method (sea, air, road, rail), Incoterms, and who is responsible for arranging insurance under the contract.

+-

Can I cover more than one leg of the journey?

Yes. Cover can often be arranged on a door-to-door or warehouse-to-warehouse basis, including pre-carriage and onward carriage legs, provided these are agreed with the insurer.

+-

Is single-shipment cover more expensive than annual cargo insurance?

For businesses that ship frequently, an annual cargo policy is usually more cost-effective. For occasional shipments, single-shipment cover can be cheaper overall because you only pay when you actually ship.

+-

Can I extend cover if the shipment is delayed?

In many cases, cover can be extended if there are unforeseen delays, but this must be agreed with the insurer. It’s important to notify your broker promptly if delays occur.

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…