Safe Passage for Everything That Matters.
Protection for goods while being transported by land, air, or sea
Cargo insurance provides coverage for goods, merchandise, and materials while they are being transported from one location to another. Whether shipped by truck, rail, air, or vessel, cargo is exposed to risks that are not covered by standard property or general liability policies. Cargo Insurance is designed to protect the financial value of the goods being transported against loss, damage, or theft while in transit.
This coverage is critical for businesses involved in shipping, logistics, distribution, manufacturing, or any operation where property moves between locations.
What Cargo Insurance Covers — Cargo insurance typically responds to loss or damage involving covered goods during transportation, including:
Physical Damage to Cargo — Protection for goods damaged due to accidents, handling incidents, or unexpected events during transit.
Theft or Missing Shipments — Coverage when cargo is stolen, lost, or fails to arrive at its intended destination.
Loading and Unloading Risks — Protection for damage that occurs while cargo is being loaded onto or unloaded from a vehicle, aircraft, or vessel.
Collision, Overturn, or Vehicle Accident — Coverage when cargo is damaged due to a transportation accident.
Weather-Related Damage — Protection for loss caused by storms, wind, or other covered weather events, depending on policy terms.
Non-Delivery or Misdelivery — Coverage for certain situations where goods are not delivered as intended.
Coverage may apply to owned goods, sold goods, or goods in your care, custody, or control, depending on policy structure.
What It Does Not Cover — Cargo policies are specialized and often exclude:
Improper packaging
Normal wear and tear
Delay without physical damage
Intentional acts or fraud
Illegal or prohibited goods
Mechanical breakdown of the vehicle
Unscheduled or undeclared shipments
Loss outside the coverage territory
Coverage depends heavily on how shipments, routes, and values are reported to the insurer.
Who Needs Cargo Insurance?Cargo insurance is commonly required for businesses involved in transporting or shipping goods, including:
Trucking companies
Freight brokers and logistics firms
Manufacturers
Wholesalers and distributors
Importers and exporters
Retailers shipping inventory
Construction and equipment suppliers
Businesses moving high-value property
Many shipping contracts, lenders, and customers require proof of cargo coverage before goods can be transported. Accurate valuation, scheduling, and description of property are critical to proper coverage.
How Coverage Is Structured — Cargo insurance can be written in different forms depending on the operation, including:
Motor Truck Cargo policies for trucking operations
Shipper’s interest coverage for owners of goods
Freight forwarder or logistics coverage
Open cargo policies for ongoing shipments
Per-load coverage for individual shipments
Policies include:
Per-load or per-occurrence limits
Aggregate limits
Deductibles
Territory restrictions
Commodity restrictions
Reporting requirements
Accurate reporting of cargo type, value, and routes is essential to avoid denied claims.
A truck overturns and the shipment is destroyed
High-value goods are stolen from a trailer
Cargo is damaged during loading at a warehouse
Freight is lost while being transported across state lines
Imported goods are damaged during inland transport after arrival
Without proper cargo insurance, these losses often fall directly on the business responsible for the shipment.
Why Proper Placement Matters — Cargo coverage varies widely depending on:
Type of commodities hauled
Radius of operation
Security requirements
Policy exclusions
Contractual liability assumptions
Admitted vs. surplus lines placement
Incorrect limits, undeclared commodities, or improper policy structure can result in large uncovered losses.
Our Approach
At Cory Washington & Co., we structure Cargo Insurance based on the actual movement of goods — including what is being transported, how it moves, and who is responsible at each stage. We review contracts, shipping agreements, and operational details to make sure coverage aligns with real-world exposure.
Our goal is to protect your shipments, your contracts, and your financial stability every time cargo is on the move.
Disclaimer — All insurance descriptions on this website are provided by Cory Washington & Co. LLC strictly for general informational purposes. They are not intended to be, and should not be relied upon as, legal, financial, or insurance advice. The information presented is general in nature and does not guarantee the availability, terms, conditions, or scope of any insurance coverage. Actual coverage is determined solely by the specific policy language issued by the insurer and remains subject to underwriting approval. Nothing on this website creates or implies an agent-client relationship, binds coverage, or alters any existing policy. Cory Washington & Co. LLC expressly disclaims any liability for actions taken, or not taken, based on the content provided here. For advice regarding your particular situation, please consult directly with a licensed insurance professional at Cory Washington & Co. LLC or another qualified insurance professional, and always review your policy documents in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get cargo insurance through Cory Washington & Co.?
Request a quote or contact our team. We start with a short conversation about your operations, analyze your exposures, then negotiate cargo insurance across multiple carriers that compete for your account and present options with the trade-offs explained. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
How much does cargo insurance cost?
There is no flat rate. The cost of cargo insurance reflects your industry, your size (payroll and revenue), your claims history, and the limits and deductibles you choose. We market your account to multiple carriers, compare the real quotes side by side, and explain what is driving each number so you can weigh coverage against price with confidence.
Who needs cargo insurance?
It depends on your situation. Some coverage is required by law; more often, cargo insurance is required by a contract, lease, lender, or client before they will do business with you — and even when it is not mandated, it guards against exposures that can be severe. We review your operations and obligations and tell you plainly what you need and why.
What if another agency has already declined or non-renewed my coverage?
Difficult, specialty, and previously-declined placements are a core part of our work. We access excess & surplus (E&S) and specialty markets that many generalist agencies cannot, and we explain the trade-offs clearly so you can decide with confidence.
Available in all 50 states. See how requirements differ in California, Texas, Florida, New York, or choose your state.