Contingent Cargo Insurance for Freight Brokers

Written by columbus adm

Published on: November 18, 2021 | Last Updated: March 5, 2025

 

Business isn’t all just about finding customers. Getting products from point A to point B quickly and securely is also vital. When products don’t arrive on time, business operations get interrupted. Also, sales might decrease because customers fail to avail the goods needed. Freight brokers exist to solve such problems.

Shipping takes time, and freight brokers are paid to do all of the tasks.

They;

  1. Search for a reputable company with a good history
  2. Negotiate the price
  3. Plan a route
  4. Track your cargo as soon as the shipping company proceeds to deliver it

 An estimated 18,000 licensed freight brokers are in the United States , so you won’t run out of options. Still, it’s best to work with a freight broker having freight broker’s contingent cargo insurance

What Is Contingent Cargo Insurance

A freight broker acts as a middleman between clients and shipping companies. The work involves finding a shipping company,  negotiating, preparing the goods for shipment, and tracking the goods so that the cargo doesn’t get damaged or lost and arrives on time. 

A shipping company has a freight cargo insurance policy, which protects you from significant loss by providing reimbursement equal to the total value of your shipment if your cargo gets lost or damaged. 

Contingent cargo insurance takes into effect when a shipping company won’t pay for your claim. What it does is put the responsibility of paying for damages on the shoulders of the freight broker you’re working with. 

Contingent Cargo Insurance Application

asking how long it will take for contingent cargo insurance to apply or take effect for lost or damaged cargo during shipment? it won’t pay immediately.

 A general rule is that a shipping company’s carrier must deny the application to use coverage before a freight broker’s contingent cargo insurance kicks in.

 If you don’t want to wait, coordinate with your freight broker to confirm if there’s a primary cargo insurance policy availed because, unlike contingent insurance policy, a primary cargo insurance policy can be used immediately.

Contingent Cargo Liability Insurance

. Aside from contingent cargo insurance, you also need other policies such as general liability insurance.

Let’s say the client’s shipment arrived as promised. However, it turned out that the goods were damaged. 

But instead of the shipping company, a claim is filed against you. In this case, general liability insurance will be very useful as it will account for all the costs needed to settle the client’s claim for damaged goods.

General liability insurance only applies to property damage and bodily injuries. On the other hand, contingent cargo insurance accounts only for the loss of goods due to the actions of the shipping carrier.

Does Contingent Cargo Insurance Only Apply to Lost or Damaged Cargo in Ships?

Contingent cargo insurance doesn’t only apply to cargo delivered from point A to point B using a ship. It also applies to other modes of shipping, such as through trucks or planes

 

How Much Is Contingent Cargo Insurance for Freight Brokers

Contingent cargo insurance cost is as affordable as other specialized insurance policies. Contingent cargo insurance for freight brokers cost $1,500 a year on average.

 On the other hand, availing of liability policies general liability insurance policy, for example adds another $400. If we add these figures, the total contingent cargo insurance price is $1,900 annually.  

Best Contingent Cargo Insurance Providers

Thimble

Thimble is rated by Markel that has a rating of A- .Thimble’s contingent cargo insurance is very straightforward. After providing all the details, the company will then proceed to process your application.

 If approved, you’ll enjoy up to $1 million to $2 million coverage which is already enough, provided that you only work with small businesses. 

Pros
  • Online insurance application
  • Affordable rates
Cons
  • Only tailored to small-time freight brokers

Average cost: $108.33

Our rating : 8/10

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Chubb

AM Best rates Chubb with an A++  rating. Chubb’s contingent cargo insurance comes as an additional option to its worldwide ocean cargo insurance, which costs $1,500 maximum and provides up to a $60 million coverage limit. 

 Benefits you’ll enjoy if you choose Chubb for your contingent cargo insurance are broad protection to goods in transit, fast and flexible claims process, streamlined billing and transparent accounting, and an online certificate of insurance.

Pros 
  • $60 million coverage limit
  • Set pricing
  • Provides numerous benefits
Cons
  • Not rated by Better Business Bureau

Average cost:  $125 per month 

Our rating : 10/10

State Farm 

State Farm offers insurance policies that are cheaper than the average pricing in the market. 

You might avail of contingent cargo insurance from State Farm if you talk with an agent about the specifics of State Farm distributor insurance, which provides property, business liability, client property, employee, and equipment coverage. 

Pros
  • Rated by AM Best and S&P
Cons
  • It doesn’t provide online quotes

Average cost: $140 per month 

Our rating : 10/10

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Mapfre 

Mapfre is an insurance company providing policies in the US and other countries such as the Philippines and Puerto Rico. 

Mapfre Puerto Rico offers contingent cargo insurance as part of its ocean marine and inland marine insurance. They have specialized service and loss control programs that will help to determine how much you’ve lost depending on the mode of transport, type of products, and the way they’re stored. 

On the other hand, Mapfre Philippines offers contingent cargo insurance with its marine cargo insurance, providing coverage while cargo is being transported by land or sea. 

Pros
  • Insurance coverage that tailors to the needs of freight brokers
  • Established insurer and operates in different countries
Cons
  • Contingency coverage might only be offered by Mapfre Philippines and Mapfre Puerto Rico

Average cost: $161 per month 

Our rating : 10/10

AmWins 

AmWins contingent cargo insurance comes in the form of freight broker’s liability and contingent coverage.  The base coverage is $5 million. Also, additional options provide $100,000 up to $1 million coverage for professional liability insurance, general liability insurance, and freight broker’s auto insurance. 

Pros
  • $5 million coverage
  • Has liability policies as add-ons
Cons
  • Not rated by AM Best and BBB
  • Requires specific documents before approving your insurance application

Average cost: $175 per month 

Our rating : 6/10

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Transinsurers

Transinsurers is an insurance company specializing in broker insurance, freight insurance, and trucking insurance.

Trans Insurers’ contingent cargo insurance is part of its freight brokers insurance policy that combines truck broker liability, contingent auto liability, and general liability coverage.

Pros
  • Offers truck broker liability and general liability together with contingent cargo insurance
Cons
  • Not rated by reputable organizations overseeing insurance companies
  • Quotes aren’t transparent

Average cost: $134 per month 

Our rating : 10/10

 

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