Contingent Cargo Policy Feature Checklist
What to confirm in a contingent cargo policy — what's standard, what's often limited, and what to add if needed — plus the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current contingent cargo policy and check the box next to each feature you can confirm it includes — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor.
Tick each feature you can confirm your policy includes — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Confirm? | Policy feature | What to confirm | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| What Triggers Payment | Contingent cargo usually pays only after the carrier's insurer denies the claim — confirm the trigger. | Standard | |
| Legal Liability vs. Shipper's Interest | Legal-liability forms pay only when you are liable; shipper's interest pays the shipper for broader losses. | Standard | |
| Per-Load Limit | Confirm the limit covers your highest-value load, not the average. | Standard | |
| Theft by Deception / Fictitious Pickup | Loads handed to impostors are often excluded — the fastest-growing type of cargo theft. | Often limited | |
| Commodity Exclusions | Confirm electronics, alcohol, tobacco, or pharmaceuticals aren't excluded or sublimited. | Often limited | |
| Contractual Liability for Full Value | Shipper contracts that make you liable for full value may go beyond a legal-liability form. | Often limited | |
| Reefer Breakdown | Covers spoilage when refrigeration fails — commonly restricted by endorsement. | If needed | |
| Broker E&O | Covers your own errors, like giving a carrier the wrong delivery details. | If needed |
The gap most often missed in this coverage
The most commonly missed gap in this coverage is the gap between what shippers expect and what the policy pays. Contingent cargo waits for the carrier's insurer to deny the claim and is often written on a legal-liability basis, while shipper contracts may promise full value right away. Match your shipper contracts to the policy, ask about shipper's interest coverage, and confirm theft by deception is covered.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your contingent cargo coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Contingent Cargo Insurance · Contingent Cargo Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What should a contingent cargo policy include?
Standard features to confirm in a contingent cargo policy include What Triggers Payment, Legal Liability vs. Shipper's Interest, Per-Load Limit. This checklist also flags the features that are often limited or sublimited and the ones to add if needed, with a plain-English note on each.
Is this checklist insurance advice?
No. It is a free educational tool to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed professional. It affords no coverage and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice — only your actual policy language governs what is and isn't covered.
Can Cory Washington & Co. review my contingent cargo coverage?
Yes. Share your checklist and we'll review your program line by line, market your account across multiple carriers, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
This checklist is a free educational tool from Cory Washington & Co. to help you review your own coverage and have a more informed conversation with a licensed insurance professional. It is general information only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy, change, or cancel any policy. Coverage terms, availability, limits, and requirements vary by policy, carrier, and state, and only the language in your actual policy governs what is and isn’t covered. Checking or leaving blank any item above does not indicate that you are adequately insured or under-insured. Using this checklist does not create a client, agency, or fiduciary relationship. Always consult a licensed professional about your specific situation.