Ocean Marine Policy Feature Checklist
What to confirm in a ocean marine policy — what's standard, what's often limited, and what to add if needed — plus the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current ocean cargo or marine 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-Risk Cargo Coverage | Covers physical loss or damage from any external cause, not just named perils. | Standard | |
| General Average & Salvage | Pays your share of salvage costs after a ship casualty, and posts the guarantee to release cargo. | Standard | |
| Warehouse-to-Warehouse | Covers goods from the origin warehouse to the final destination, including inland legs. | Often limited | |
| War & Strikes | Covers war, terrorism, and strike risks — excluded unless added. | Often limited | |
| Storage Before and After Transit | Covers goods held at ports or warehouses — often limited to a set number of days. | If needed | |
| Refrigeration Breakdown | Covers spoilage when reefer equipment fails. | If needed | |
| Carrier Liability Is Not Enough | Ocean carriers' liability is limited by law and packages — cargo insurance fills the gap. | Standard |
The gap most often missed in this coverage
The most commonly missed gap in this coverage is relying on the carrier. Ocean carriers' liability is limited by law, and after a ship fire every cargo owner may have to contribute to general average before their goods are released — even if their cargo wasn't damaged. Shippers should carry all-risk cargo coverage with general average, add war and strikes coverage, and declare dangerous goods correctly.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your ocean marine coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Ocean Marine Insurance · Ocean Marine Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What should a ocean marine policy include?
Standard features to confirm in a ocean marine policy include All-Risk Cargo Coverage, General Average & Salvage, Carrier Liability Is Not Enough. 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 ocean marine 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.