𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 — 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽-𝗯𝘆-𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 A cargo claim is won or lost long before you file the paperwork — mostly in the first 24–48 hours after damage is discovered. Here's the sequence that protects your claim.
🔹 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟭 — 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆
Inform your insurer or agent the moment loss or damage is discovered — most policies require notice "as soon as possible," and delay alone can be used to dispute a claim.
🔹 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟮 — 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
Do not move, repack, or dispose of damaged cargo until a surveyor has inspected it. Photograph the damage, packaging, container number, and seal condition before anything is touched.
🔹 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟯 — 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆
Request a Lloyd's Agent or insurer-approved surveyor to inspect and certify the extent of loss. This survey report becomes the backbone of your claim.
🔹 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟰 — 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
File a formal claim/notice with the shipping line, port authority, or carrier within their specified time limit (often 3 days for visible damage, longer for concealed damage) — this preserves your right of subrogation.
🔹 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟱 — 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝘁
Original insurance policy/certificate
Commercial invoice and packing list
Bill of lading / airway bill
Survey report
Claim/notice letter to carrier
Photographs of damage
Landing remarks or delivery challan showing exception noted at receipt
🔹 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟲 — 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀
Prepare a claim statement showing invoice value, salvage value (if any), and any recoverable costs, consistent with the policy's valuation clause.
🔹 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟳 — 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺
Submit the complete document set to your insurer within the policy's claim-filing window — incomplete submissions are the most common cause of processing delays.
🔹 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟴 — 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱
Respond promptly to any insurer queries or requests for additional evidence — unanswered queries are a leading reason claims stall or lapse.
🔹 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟵 — 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Once approved, the insurer settles the claim and may pursue subrogation against the carrier or third party responsible — this is handled by the insurer, not the exporter.
📌 Bottom line: A well-documented claim filed on time is rarely rejected. Most disputes trace back to late notification, disturbed evidence, or missing paperwork — not the underlying policy coverage itself.
