Marine transit insurance at a glance
What is marine transit insurance?
If your business takes you across the seas, you can be exposed to risks from mother nature, misadventure and even piracy. Such risks can prevent your cargo from reaching its destination, or cause costly damage during the voyage.
Marine transit insurance refers to a range of insurance products which help protect your business from loss or damage to vessels and cargo. It can cover the door to door delivery of goods worldwide, by sea, road, rail and air – including their storage on the way.
Who should consider it?
Marine transit insurance is important for businesses involved in shipping or receiving goods, Marine insurance can provide valuable cover on both land and sea for:
- Importers.
- Exporters.
“The Australian maritime sector has an estimated annual revenue of $5.76 billion
and added approximately $2.03 billion to the Australian economy in 2019-20. Australia is the fifth largest user of shipping services in the world, and 80% of Australia’s imports and exports by value are carried by sea.”
(Australian Industry and Skills Committee, Maritime, 2022 )
Did you know?
1,570m
1.570 million tonnes of cargo is forecast to be exported by sea from Australia in 2022.
(Ibisworld, Total mass of exports by sea, 2022)
99%
99% of Australian exports use sea transport.
(Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, Maritime, 2022)
Waters off West Africa, South America, around the Caribbean and the Singapore Straits are considered piracy hotspots.
(Gard, Piracy trends and hotspots, 2021)
What insurance should you take out - and what can it cover?
There are different types of marine-related insurance policies – the type you choose will vary based on your specific needs. Marine transit policies can cover goods which are being moved within Australia or overseas.
Depending on the type of policy you choose, marine insurance policies can cover:
Accidental damage
All causes of physical damage provided that they are the a result of an unexpected and non-deliberate external action.
Dropping during loading and unloading
Dropping during loading or unloading if this is not an excluded event specified under a specified risks policy.
Collision
Damage caused due to the collision of the carrying vehicle, vessel, train, aeroplane. It may be a collision between two conveyances or it might involve the conveyance hitting another object such as a bridge, wall, tree etc.
Insured events
Only the events listed in the policy.
Fire, explosion & lightning
Cover for fire, explosion and lightning.
Malicious damage
Malicious acts, vandalism and sabotage by third parties
Impact of goods with external objects other than the conveying vehicle or road
Full impact cover can be provided, including goods falling from and within the vehicle.
What usually isn't covered?
Exclusions, the excess you need to pay and limits of liability can vary greatly depending on your insurer. Policies generally won’t include cover for:
- Consequential loss/loss of market.
- War.
- Delay.
- Inherent vice; i.e. the damage due to a feature of the product being transported.
Case Study
Kerri runs a small business that exports organic cheeses from Australia to Asia. It’s a new business, so she works very hard to provide quality products and build her client base.
Recently, a shipment of her cheeses that were going to a new client was left on the dock unrefrigerated due to failure of the cold storage area in the dock – and the cheeses were spoilt. Not only did Kerri lose valuable product, but she also missed out on the repeat business of the new client.
Thankfully, Kerri had marine transit insurance, which covered her products from the time they left her business until they were in her client’s possession. While her insurance didn’t help her keep the new client, at least the insurance reimbursed Kerri for the cost of the cheeses that were spoilt.
FAQs
You might consider changing providers to get better rates, improved coverage, better customer service, or access to specialised policies that suit your evolving business needs.
Review your policy regularly, compare it with competitors’ offerings, and consult with an insurance professional to assess if your coverage aligns with your current business risks and needs.
Risks include potential coverage gaps, policy exclusions you might overlook, or losing loyalty benefits with your current insurer. So it is important to carefully review new policies to ensure they meet all your needs.
The process is usually fast once we have all the right paperwork, but it can vary depending on the complexity of your business and the type of coverage needed. This means it is best to be prepared and start looking before your existing insurance expires.
Some policies have cancellation fees or short-rate penalties. Check your policy or ask your current insurer about any potential fees before switching.
You’ll typically need to provide business details, claims history, financial information, and specifics about your operations, assets, and employees.
Coordinate the start date of your new policy with the end date of your old policy. We can help you minimise your exposure to risk when changing suppliers, but it is important that you start the process early.
An insurance broker or professional represents multiple insurance companies and works on your behalf to find the most suitable coverage. Direct insurers are individual companies that sell their own policies directly to businesses.
Brokers offer expertise, access to multiple insurers, personalised service, assistance with claims, and we can often negotiate better rates or coverage terms.
Brokers typically earn commissions from insurance companies. In most cases, you won’t pay directly; similar to a mortgage broker, they are paid by the insurers.
Often, yes. We have access to multiple insurers and can leverage our relationships to negotiate competitive rates, or have products that are not available to the public.
Look for someone with experience in your industry, good references, proper licensing, and a wide network of insurers. They will be your point of contact when something goes wrong, so also consider their communication style and responsiveness.
Generally, yes. Professionals like us typically manage most communications, including policy changes, claims, and renewals, acting as an intermediary between you and the insurer.
Yes, a good broker will explain complex terms, policy details, and coverage options in plain language to help you make informed decisions.
Your specific needs will depend on your industry and operations, so it is best to chat so we can guide you through the risks you may not be aware of. Common types of insurance include general liability, property, professional liability, workers’ compensation, cyber liability, and business interruption insurance.
Review your coverage annually at minimum, but it is also best practice to review when your business undergoes significant changes like expansion, new products/services, or changes in operations.
Not necessarily. Premiums depend on various factors. A new insurer might offer lower rates, especially if your business circumstances have changed favourably.
Yes, we can often help you bundle policies (like combining property and liability coverage) to get discounts and streamline your insurance management.
First, communicate your concerns to your insurance professional or the insurer directly. If issues persist, you can file a complaint or consider switching providers again.
Look beyond just the premium price. Compare coverage limits, deductibles, exclusions, and additional benefits. Consider the insurer’s financial stability and reputation for customer service as well. Most importantly, make sure you are comparing like-for-like coverage.