Insurers rarely take over ownership of cargo which is lost or damaged. The cargo remains the property of either the exporter or the importer, depending on the terms of the contract of sale.

If you are going to submit an insurance claim, you have an obligation to minimise any financial loss that arises from loss or damage to your property. If you do not do this, you may be prejudicing your insurance claim.

Summary for ALL claims:
* You should inspect cargo on arrival
* You must hold the transport operators liable for any loss or damage
* Act swiftly - the cargo remains your property

Contacts:
For Export Claims: Ensure a surveyor is appointed for an independent evaluation.
For Import Claims : Contact Vero Marine.

Procedure:
[1] You should always inspect cargo for loss or damage on arrival. Failure to do so creates difficulties in proving that damage occurred in transit. If your cargo arrives in a container, the external surfaces should be inspected for damage, or any leakage.

[2] Do not give a clean receipt to the delivering carrier unless you can immediately inspect the cargo and you have found it undamaged. When there is any doubt, you should mark any documentation with "Received in Apparent Good Order and Condition". Never accept the carrier's driver’s explanation that the cargo was received by the carrier in a damaged condition. Use the Initial Notice of Claim form to assist in lodging a claim on the carrier.

[3] As soon as you are aware of a potential loss / claim, you must give notice to all transport operators / third parties involved.

[4] For export claims: A full list of survey agents can be found here for claims agents. For import claims, contact Vero Marine. You have a legal obligation to act swiftly. Failure to do so can prejudice your insurance claim.

[5] You must take all steps to avoid / minimise any further physical or financial loss. The cargo remains your property. The surveyor is only there to record and advise, not to take control. Any delays caused by your inaction may affect your insurance claim.

[6] This is the documentation usually required when presenting a claim:
* Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
* Commercial Invoice
* Insurance Certificate
* Copy of notice of claim lodged against carrier
* Documentation relating to out-turn / receipt of goods
* Local Carriers Waybill, where applicable
* Copy of temperature records, where available
* Invoices to confirm salvage / sale price, where applicable
* Copy of instructions to carrier regarding carriage temperature, where applicable
For a marine insurance claim to be paid, insurers require BOTH evidence of physical damage to cargo, and complete documentation.

[7] Once all required documentation is to hand, the loss can be established by the surveyor. The surveyor will report in full to Vero Marine or our overseas agents.

[8] Settlement is made by Vero Marine, (usually by TT). Once you have provided all the information requested by Vero Marine and the surveyor, you should provide your bank details.

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY COMMERCIAL CARGO CLAIM ASSISTANCE - CUNNINGHAM LINDSEY 0800 800 270

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