What does inland marine insurance cover?

– Commercial Inland Marine Insurance is a comprehensive policy.
– Provides 24/7, 365-day coverage.
– Safeguards businesses involved in importing, exporting, or transporting goods within India.
– Covers goods in transit via various modes, including road, rail, and air.
– Protects against potential damage, loss, accidents, and perils during operations.

2.Key Benefits in a Nutshell

 Extensive coverage for various risks.
– Damage due to accidents, theft, natural disasters, and fire incidents included.
– General expenses like contributions to general average, salvage costs, and sue and labour expenses covered.
– Protection against liabilities arising from collisions, contact with other vessels, or property damage.
– Coverage for delays in transit, quarantine compensation, temperature-controlled cargo, and more.

3.Who Needs Commercial Inland Marine Insurance?

– Essential for importers, exporters, manufacturers, distributors, and businesses involved in goods transportation.
– Beneficial for those dealing with valuable items.

4.The Crucial Coverage – Explained

– Comprehensive coverage for goods in transit via various modes.
– Includes protection for damage due to accidents, theft, natural disasters, and fire incidents.

4.1 Standard Coverage under Marine Insurance Policy:

1. Accident Cover: This covers damage to cargo due to accidents during transportation.

2. Theft Cover: This covers the loss of cargo due to theft or pilferage.

3. Natural Disaster: This covers damage caused by natural disasters such as storms, floods, or           earthquakes.

4. Fire Accident Cover: It provides coverage for losses resulting from fire incidents during transit.

5. General Expenses Cover:This covers general average contributions, salvage, and sue and labor expenses.

6. Liability Cover: It offers protection against liabilities arising from collisions, contact with other vessels, or property damage.

7. Delay in Transit Cover: This provides coverage for delays in transit that lead to financial losses.

8. Quarantine Compensation: This offers compensation for expenses incurred due to vessel detention or quarantine.

9.Temperature Sense Cover: This covers the deterioration or spoilage of perishable goods.

10. Riots, War & Civil War etc: It provides protection against risks associated with war or political unrest affecting transportation routes.

11. Business Financial Safety: It offers financial security for businesses involved in international trade or shipping.

5. Riding the Wave of Additional Coverage Options

– Flexibility with additional coverage options.
– Protection for high-value goods.
– Coverage against strikes, riots, civil commotions, war, terrorism, and temperature-controlled cargo.
– Specialized coverage for items exhibited at trade shows or transported via oversized cargo.

5.1 Additional Add-ons Under the Open Marine Insurance Policy:

1. Extended Coverage for High-Value Goods: This add-on provides extra protection for transporting valuable items, ensuring they are fully covered in case of any unforeseen incidents during transit.
2. Strikes, Riots, and Civil Commotions (SRCC) Coverage: This protects against losses or damages caused by strikes, riots, or civil commotions during transit.
3. War and Terrorism Coverage: This provides coverage for losses or damages resulting from acts of war, terrorism, or political violence.
4. Temperature-controlled Cargo Coverage: This offers protection for perishable goods that require temperature-controlled transportation, covering losses caused by temperature deviations or equipment failures.
5. Exhibition or Trade Show Coverage: This extends coverage to goods displayed or exhibited at trade shows, exhibitions, or fairs.
6. Customised Coverage: This tailors the policy to meet the specific needs and requirements of the insured, providing additional coverage for unique or specialised goods or circumstances.
7. Valuable Papers and Documents Coverage: This add-on ensures the safety of important business documents during transit, covering the loss or damage of these valuable papers, offering financial security and minimising disruptions to your operations.
8. Loading and Unloading Clause: This clause provides coverage for any damages that occur while goods are being loaded onto or unloaded from the transport vehicle, protecting against potential losses during these critical stages.
9. ODC (Over Dimensional Cargo) Clause: The ODC clause offers specialised coverage specifically for transporting large or oversized cargo, ensuring protection for these unique shipments and addressing any potential risks associated with their transportation.

6. The Art of Claiming: How it Works

The claiming process involves systematic steps.
– Promptly notify the insurance company about the loss.
– Provide necessary documentation, including policy copy, a detailed statement, shipping documents, proof of value, and relevant evidence.
– The claim is assessed, and the eligible amount is determined for settlement.

6.1 Where are the following step which are carried out when a claim arises.

Notification: You should promptly inform the insurance company about any loss or damage that occurs during transit.

Documentation: You are required to submit necessary documents, including a copy of the policy, a detailed statement, shipping documents, proof of value, and relevant evidence.

Detailed Sales and Purchase Proofs: These documents should demonstrate your financial transactions from the policy start date to the claim initiation date.

Claim Form: You should complete and submit the provided claim form with essential information.

Additional KYC Documents: This involves including copies of identification documents, such as the Aadhaar card and PAN card, as well as a self-declaration letter of ownership.

Verification: The insurance company assesses the claim, conducts investigations if necessary, and may appoint a surveyor for assessment.

Settlement Decision: The insurance company determines the eligible amount and communicates this decision to the insured.

Additional Supporting Documents: You should also provide an image of a cancelled cheque, a subrogation letter (if applicable), and a discharge voucher.