It is shipper&s responsibility to adhere to commonly packaging related
issues.
Most of the goods are lost due to improper labeling. All your packages must have
address labels with full details of To & From and numbered as 1 of 5, 2 of 5....
and sealed properly. And most of the damages are caused due to using poor
quality box/carton packaging material. The material used for packaging must be
able rated to handle the weight & the adequate cushioning material used for the
weight of item being shipped. These reasons could become a reason of denial of
claim by insurance company.
You must buy insurance for the full shipment. If you wish, you may list low or zero value for the cartons in
your invoice/packing
list and appropriate value for the items you wish to insure but make sure that list is provided to the
provider. Items which has value will only be considered for damage/loss.
Each vendor in USA has a limited liability coverage which is different than insurance. Generally it is not
covering limited amount
which is not enough to recover the actual or replacement value of your goods. As an example for ocean
shipments, AIR 7 SEAS provide
$500 per piece (as shown in No.column of Bill of Lading) for general cargo but for Household Personal &
Used goods, it is a released value to $0.10/Lb
Generally for Commercial goods, CIF/CNF value + 10% is protected for insurance. This gives 10% over your
Invoice to cover
additional expenses, time & efforts you go through to get reimbursment from the insurance company. For
professionally packed
Household Personal goods, it is the replacement value which you find will cover the loss/damage.
Pairs & Sets Clause states - Where any insured item consists of articles in a pair or set this Policy is not to pay more than the value
of any particular part or parts which may be lost without reference to any special value which such article
or articles may have as part of such pair or set, nor more than a proportionate part of such pair or set.
For commodities other than Household Personal Goods, one can request to add the coverage.
Make the list by Carton/Package#s with content and value on a spreadsheet with your Name & address shown
above
preferably to fit on one page. It is not safe to write contents on the box.
If you under-insure any claims settlement will be proportionate to the percentage of under-insuring.
If you insure goods for half their real value, you will be reimbursed for half a claim.
Institute Cargo Clauses are international treaties & their wordings are accepted in most of the
countries.
International shipments moves across many borders, through many legal jurisdictions, using ICC Clauses
lessens the chance of
any misunderstandings or delays in payment in the event of a claim.
ICC Clauses A covers everything EXCEPT what it specifically excludes, such as War & Strikes. If you
purchase ICC A, War & Strikes
coverage in combination you have what is commonly referred to as Full Cover or All Risks.
No. The ICC Clauses C does cover General Average and the limited ICC Clauses C does not pay for partial
loss, damage or theft unless that loss was caused by the 'Named Perils. It covers nothing except what it
specifically says it covers.
You can request a rider to cover your goods when stored with the carrier transporting your goods. Goods has
to be packed as ready to go and the insurance premium is paid in advance for the estimated storage time.
Normal storage while goods are being prepared for shipment or waiting for ship/airplane are already covered
in your regular cargo insurance.
It does not matter who is moving your shipment, you can get cargo insurance coverage for any licensed
carrier. It doesn't matter if your shipment is moving by boat, plane, truck or train. You can get
coverage for any transit including shipments with multiple modes of transport.
Claims are submitted to insurance company and they pay after collecting all required documents & answers
they need. We are an agent for them and provide you their policy, c
Insurance is only covered if the premium is paid. If you are late but shipment is still in transit, at
the discretion of AIR 7 SEAS you could still have the coverage. After the arrival of the shipment, your
goods are not covered.
The charges collected from you were for shipment and related services only. The claim process is a
service by itself and it takes time, a knowledgeable person, specific procedures & communication with
Insurance company & vendors. We do assist to initiate the claim but to follow thru and finish the
process, there is a nominal fee to be charged to the beneficiary, paid to us in advance since the
reimbursement payment from the insurance company is released directly to the beneficiary. Our service
fee is to file the claim only and not a guarantee of an approval or reimbursement from the
Vendors/Insurance company.
To determine basis of amount to claim to file the Formal Claim, following documents are mostly required
(but not limited to) for any claim -
a) Proof of damage: Any document from the carrier or their agent showing exceptions i.e. Delivery Receipt you signed upon receipt of goods.
b) Proof of Insurance: If insured, original insurance certificate/receipt showing premium paid.
c) Value of Goods: Commercial Invoice, List of inventory with values etc.
d) Transportation Document: Air Waybill, Bill of Lading etc.
e) Value on damages: The amount, how determined and supporting documents
f) Estimate of repair: Needed only if partial loss. Estimate to repair damages (normally 2 reqrd)
g) Photographs: If available
Every vendor has a time baring clause under their conditions so it is suggested to expedite the process
to meet the time limitations, if any. Otherwise claim will be denied just because you are late in filing
therefor it is suggested that you file the claim immediately after finding the loss/damage. Placing
vendor a notice does not extend the time bar. Most of the insurance companies give 30 days to file the
claim.
Each party have rights to hire their own surveyors depending on the situation and the extent of loss.
Any local independent surveying company could be hired.
No, the delays are not covered under the cargo insurance policy. Insurance to cover delays is generally
for the goods such as Perishable,
Project cargo when delays may cause loss in value of goods and that can be requested separately.
Yes, only if you can prove that goods packed were in good/working condition and damage to them can only
occur while in transit & not caused due to poor packaging/marking.
Insurance company normally place a deductible for these items to avoid small amount of claims and place
the limitations such as Scratch, Dents etc. which are difficult to prove that they occur during
transportation.
No, it is against the law to file claim &/or get compensated by more than one party. Primary
insurance coverage comes first in the event of a loss, regardless of the carriers liability or their
terms and conditions and you can protect your shipment for it's actual Full declared value.