Cargo Insurance That Actually Pays Out When It Matters
All-risk coverage for ocean and air freight — single-trip or annual, with claims settled in days, not months.
Most importers assume their carrier covers cargo damage. In reality, carrier liability maxes out at $500 per shipping unit under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act — regardless of what's inside. A single container of electronics, textiles, or machinery can be worth $50,000–$500,000. Coverage closes that gap, covering the full declared value of your goods from origin to final delivery.
What Sets Platton's Coverage Apart
All-Risk Marine Coverage From Origin to Door
Platton arranges marine cargo insurance that covers the full transit — from supplier's warehouse through ocean or air transport to your US receiving dock. Institute Cargo Clauses (A) standard: theft, damage, natural disaster, general average, and total loss.
Flexible Policy Structures — Single Trip or Annual
Ship once a quarter? Get single-trip freight insurance sized to that shipment's value. Ship weekly? An annual open-cover policy automatically insures every shipment under one agreement — no per-trip paperwork, no gaps in coverage.
Claims Filed in Minutes, Not Weeks
When something goes wrong, cargo coverage only matters if you can actually collect. Platton's claims process starts with a digital submission — photos, shipping docs, and damage report — and our team guides you through every step to resolution, typically within 5–10 business days.
Real Cargo Insurance Problems — and How We Handle Them
"I've Been Shipping for Years Without Insurance"
Until the first loss. Many importers discover they need import cargo insurance only after a container is damaged, stolen, or declared general average. By then, the financial hit is real. We help you set up coverage before the next shipment moves — not after something goes wrong.
"Last Time I Filed a Claim, It Took 4 Months"
Slow claims usually come from missing documentation or unclear policy language. Platton prepares your claim package upfront — bill of lading, commercial invoice, survey report, photos — and submits directly to underwriters. Most claims are acknowledged within 48 hours.
"The Carrier Said They'd Cover It — They Didn't"
Carrier liability under COGSA is capped at $500 per package — not per container, per package. If your container holds 2,000 units of electronics, that $500 cap won't cover a fraction of your loss. All-risk coverage through Platton insures the actual declared value of your goods.
"Insurance Eats Into My Margins"
Typical all-risk coverage costs 0.3%–0.8% of the declared value. On a $100,000 shipment, that's $300–$800 — a fraction of what you'd lose if even one pallet arrives damaged. We size every policy to your actual risk, commodity type, and trade lane, so you're not overpaying for coverage you don't need.
"I Don't Understand What's Actually Covered"
Institute Cargo Clauses (A), (B), and (C) each cover different perils. We explain exactly which clause applies to your shipment, what's excluded (war, inherent vice, delay), and what your deductible looks like — before you sign. No surprises at claim time.
What's Covered Under Our Cargo Insurance Policies
- Physical loss or damage during loading, transit, and unloading — including container drops, water damage, and crushing
- Fire, explosion, lightning, earthquake, flood, and other natural perils
- Theft, piracy, hijacking, and malicious damage
- General average and salvage charges — where your freight insurance pays your contribution share
- Jettison, washing overboard, and vessel stranding or sinking
Standard Policy Exclusions
- Delay-related losses — even if the delay itself was caused by a covered peril
- Inherent vice or nature of the goods (e.g., perishable spoilage under normal conditions, rust on unprotected steel)
- Insufficient or unsuitable packing not meeting industry standards
- War, civil war, revolution, and nuclear contamination (coverable via separate war-risk endorsement)
- Willful misconduct of the insured or known pre-existing damage at time of shipment
What Happens When Marine Cargo Insurance Is in Place — and When It Isn't
See how Platton's cargo insurance helps reduce losses and optimize logistics budgets globally.
A single general average event can cost an importer $10,000–$50,000 per container in contribution charges — even if your cargo arrives undamaged. With all-risk coverage, the insurer pays your share. Without it, you pay out of pocket or lose the goods.
Platton clients who insure every shipment report fewer disputes with carriers, faster customs clearance on damaged goods, and a documented loss history that strengthens future claims. Coverage isn't just protection — it's a documented advantage. Insurers have claims data and legal resources carriers don't. When disputes arise, a documented claim history consistently produces faster, higher settlements than fighting carriers uninsured.
Average Financial Loss (USD)
Financial losses
-35%
Shipping Risk Updates & Insurance Insights
Frequently Asked Questions
Trust isn't the issue — liability limits are. Under COGSA, ocean carriers are liable for a maximum of $500 per package. Under the Montreal Convention, airlines cap liability at roughly $28 per kg. If your shipment is worth more than that (and it almost certainly is), the carrier's liability won't make you whole. Your policy covers the gap between what the carrier pays and what your goods are actually worth.
Our standard all-risk policy (Institute Cargo Clauses A) covers physical loss or damage from any external cause during transit — including theft, fire, water damage, container drops, vessel sinking, and general average. Coverage runs warehouse-to-warehouse: from the moment goods leave the supplier to the moment they arrive at your US receiving location. We also arrange war-risk and strikes endorsements where trade lanes require them.
Immediately note the damage on the delivery receipt and photograph everything before moving the cargo. Then send us: the bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, photos of the damage, and a brief description of what happened. Our team submits the claim to underwriters and manages follow-up. Most straightforward claims are acknowledged within 48 hours and settled within 5–15 business days depending on complexity.
Yes. Single-trip policies cover one specific shipment from origin to destination. You tell us the commodity, declared value, and trade lane — we quote you a rate and bind coverage before the goods move. No annual commitment required. If you start shipping regularly, we can move you to an open-cover policy that automatically insures every shipment under one agreement.
Carrier liability is automatic but capped — $500/package by sea (COGSA), ~$28/kg by air (Montreal Convention). The carrier only pays if they're proven at fault, and "act of God" defenses can eliminate liability entirely. Cargo insurance covers the full declared value regardless of fault, includes perils the carrier doesn't (general average, jettison, piracy), and gives you direct access to an insurer rather than fighting a carrier's legal team.
All-risk rates for China-to-US ocean freight generally run 0.3%–0.8% of the declared cargo value, depending on commodity type, packaging, and loss history. A $200,000 shipment of consumer electronics might cost $600–$1,600 to insure. High-risk goods (fragile, temperature-sensitive, high-theft categories) may be higher. We quote exact rates after reviewing your shipment details — no ballpark, no surprises.
The Cost of Not Insuring Is Always Higher Than the Premium
One damaged container. One general average declaration. One theft at port. Any of these can wipe out months of margin. Coverage through Platton costs a fraction of what's at stake — and the claims process is built for importers who can't afford to wait. Get a quote before your next shipment moves.