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Container cranes along a harbor in soft morning fog, with calm water in front

Plan cargo coverage before your goods set sail

Ting Insurance Services LLC is an independent agency that helps California importers and exporters explore ocean cargo insurance. Tell us what you ship, where it goes and the sale terms for your next shipment.

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What it usually covers

Ocean cargo insurance covers goods shipped by sea against covered physical loss or damage. The exact policy wording determines which losses qualify. Discuss these parts of the coverage:

  • Loss or damage to the goods. Ask which causes of damage are covered, including rough handling and damaging weather.
  • Your share of an emergency expense. “General average” can require ship and cargo interests to share certain sacrifices or expenses incurred to rescue the voyage. Cargo insurance may cover your contribution, subject to its terms.
  • The journey described in the policy. Identify the origin, destination and any connecting truck journey. Inland marine addresses goods moving over land; ask how the proposed policies fit together.

Ask about deductibles, exclusions and where coverage starts and ends. Have the proposed wording checked against your shipment rather than assuming every stage or cause of loss is included.

Who it is for

Start here if you import or export goods by sea and want to discuss coverage before shipping. Bring the sales agreement as well as the transport details.

Who arranges insurance depends on the agreed sale terms. Incoterms are rules that allocate tasks, costs and risks between buyers and sellers; they also address insurance responsibilities. Confirm the actual term, version and named place in your agreement.

What to have ready

Bring what you have for the shipment you want to discuss:

  • What you ship, including packaging and handling needs.
  • The shipment value and supporting invoice.
  • Origin, destination and planned route, including inland transport.
  • How often you ship and the next departure date.
  • The sale terms, including the Incoterms version and named place, and the bill of lading if available.
  • Current cargo coverage and any insurance arranged by the buyer, seller or freight forwarder.

These are conversation prompts, not a complete underwriting checklist. Sale terms and existing arrangements matter when deciding who buys coverage.

Common questions

Doesn't the shipping line pay if my goods are damaged? (show answer)
Its liability may be limited. For US foreign-trade carriage within its scope, the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act sets a default maximum of $500 per package, or per customary freight unit for unpackaged goods. The Act allows a different result where the goods' nature and value are declared before shipment and inserted in the bill of lading, or a higher maximum is agreed. Liability is not an automatic payment of that amount. Ask how the law and bill of lading apply to your shipment.
What does general average mean for my shipment? (show answer)
A deliberate sacrifice or extraordinary expense to address a shared emergency can lead to costs being allocated among ship and cargo interests. Your contribution can arise even if your own goods arrive undamaged. Ask whether the cargo policy covers that contribution and what to do if you receive a notice.
Should the buyer or seller arrange the insurance? (show answer)
Check the agreed sale terms. Incoterms address each party's responsibilities, including whether a party must arrange insurance. Ask for the coverage documents rather than assuming the other party has arranged enough coverage.
What about goods moving only by truck within the US? (show answer)
Ask about inland marine coverage for that journey. It includes property moving over land, such as by truck or train. You can also start with our Manufacturing and warehouses page.

Let's talk before your next shipment

Tell us about your goods, route and sale terms. As part of every quote, we review the current policy and coverage documents you provide.

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We review your request and contact you.

Sources (5)

  1. Cargo Insurance - International Trade Administration. Accessed Nov 6, 2026. Public exporting guidance, published October 20, 2016; used for basic cargo coverage and sale-term responsibilities, not current prices or policy wording.
  2. Know Your Incoterms - International Trade Administration. Accessed Nov 6, 2026. Buyer/seller responsibilities and identification of the chosen term and version.
  3. 46 USC 30701, statutory note: Carriage of Goods by Sea Act - US House Office of the Law Revision Counsel. Accessed Nov 6, 2026. Section 4(5), liability limitation and exceptions. The limit is in the COGSA note, not the definition in section 30701 itself.
  4. General Average cargo insurance for your sea freight shipments - Kuehne+Nagel. Accessed Nov 6, 2026. Direct public logistics-provider explainer of shared expenses and undamaged cargo; not evidence of any agency relationship or any particular policy's coverage.
  5. Understanding inland marine insurance - Insurance Information Institute. Accessed Nov 6, 2026. Overland transit coverage category.