Cargo Insurance

Obviously, Mainfreight does everything in its power to prevent and/or limit damages. However just like in regular traffic, something might go wrong during transport. Mainfreight offers you peace of mind by offering you an additional insurance.

Mainfreight works together with dedicated carriers which work according the same high quality standards.  Everybody is doing their utmost to limit and prevent irregularities. Especially in case something goes wrong, you need to be aware of the legal framework.

For instance, do you know the carriers liability does not cover all of your potential costs? Mostly the carrier will  appeal to their maximum liability which is usually based on the gross weight of the damaged goods.The owner (of the goods) may face serious consequences, because just a part of the material costs will compensated if the carrier accepts liability.

In practice

1.     During a flight from Taiwan to The Netherlands a shipment of 100 laptops with a value of 30.000,00 euro is fully damaged. Weight of this shipment is 300 KG. Liability from the carrier is a fact. The Montreal Convention applies to all air transports. This Convention has a maximum indemnification per kilogram gross weight of 22 SDR. The rate of SDR fluctuates and will be calculated by several factors. The maximum compensation in this case: 300 kg x € 25,00 (22 SDR) = € 7.500,00.  In this case insurance premium would be € 73,13 + € 25,00 administration costs. Total costs for additional insurance would be € 98,13 and covers the complete gap of € 22.500,00.

2.     During sea transport from The Netherlands to the USA, fire on the ship arises and  your container including goods is  completely lost. The value of the goods is € 50,000.00 and the weight is 3.200 kg. The Hague Visby Rules apply to transport by sea. Fire is an exclusion whereby the carrier cannot be held liable for the loss of the goods and no compensation will follow. Furthermore General Average will be invoked by the sea carrier to retrieve the costs for sharing any losses resulting from a voluntary sacrifice of part of the ship or cargo to save the whole in an emergency. These costs will be divided over all cargo owners and must be paid in advance. The height of this amount is difficult to estimate but usually a percentage of 15% on the value of the goods is maintained. In this case insurance  premium would be € 94,00 + € 25,00 administration costs. Total costs for additional insurance would be €119,00 and covers the complete gap of € 50.000,00 and the costs for General Average.

The solution

To prevent a gap between the carriers liability and the actual value and unexpected costs, Mainfreight can offer you a cargo insurance. This insurance is actually an extra service of Mainfreight and includes a payment/compensation based on the actual suffered material damage and takes care of everything.