How to Claim Marine Insurance in India.
How to Claim Marine Insurance — Complete Guide for Indian Exporters
Learn how to claim marine insurance in India when export or import cargo arrives damaged, short, lost or undelivered. This step-by-step guide explains what exporters should do immediately after discovering cargo loss or damage, including notifying the insurer, carrier and relevant parties, preserving cargo and evidence, arranging an independent surveyor, documenting the loss and submitting the required marine insurance claim documents. Understand the marine cargo insurance claim process, survey requirements, claim documentation, policy conditions, exclusions and common mistakes that can affect claim assessment and settlement.
When cargo arrives short, damaged, wet, lost or with visible signs of transit damage, the first priority is to protect the cargo, document the loss and notify the relevant parties without unnecessary delay. Indian exporters and importers should check their marine insurance policy or certificate and promptly inform the insurer or claims contact about the incident. The carrier, shipping line, freight forwarder, warehouse, port or other responsible party may also need to be notified depending on the circumstances. Do not discard damaged goods, packaging, seals or other evidence before the insurer or appointed surveyor has had an opportunity to inspect the loss.
The next step is generally to document and establish the extent and circumstances of the loss. Take clear photographs and videos of the cargo, packaging, container, seals, labels and visible damage. Preserve the Bill of Lading or other transport document, commercial invoice, packing list, delivery receipt and any shortage or damage notation. Where required, an independent marine cargo surveyor may be appointed to inspect the goods, assess the physical damage, document the condition of the cargo and provide a survey report. For damaged or short-delivered shipments, exporters should also preserve correspondence with the shipping line, carrier, freight forwarder, warehouse, port and consignee.
The marine insurance claim can then be submitted with the required supporting documents. These may include the marine insurance policy or certificate, commercial invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading, transport documents, delivery records, survey report, photographs, claim form, shortage or damage certificate and relevant correspondence, depending on the nature of the loss. The insurer will assess the claim against the applicable policy wording, coverage, exclusions, insured value, evidence of loss and other policy conditions. Cargo Cover Advisory assists exporters, importers, manufacturers and logistics businesses in understanding marine insurance claim requirements, documentation and survey coordination, subject to the applicable policy terms and insurer procedures.