Cargo insurance that protects more than just the freight rate

Extend your protection beyond basic carrier liability for air, ocean and road shipments – with clear cover, clear costs and a simple process that fits your existing flows.

International transport of goods carries countless risks, and only a few of them are under your control. What you can control is how financially exposed you are when something does go wrong. At KG Cargo we help you arrange cargo insurance tailored to your air, ocean and road shipments, so that damaged, lost or stolen goods don’t turn into a full margin wipe-out.

  • Cargo insurance for air, ocean and road shipments handled by KG Cargo.
  • Protection that goes beyond standard carrier liability limits.
  • Clear, written confirmation of what is covered and under which conditions.
  • Simple process integrated into your existing booking and RFQ flow.
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What cargo insurance actually does for you

Many shippers assume that if they booked transport, their cargo is automatically fully covered. In reality, standard carrier liability is limited in two ways: it usually only covers part of the cargo value and only for a narrow set of events linked to the carrier’s proven responsibility. Cargo insurance is what closes that gap – it protects the agreed value of your goods against a much wider range of risks, depending on the policy conditions.

With cargo insurance you:

  • Protect the actual value of your goods, not just a limited amount per kilo or per package.
  • Have a clear policy and wording that defines what is covered, under which conditions and with which exclusions.
  • Get a structured claims process where insurer, carrier and forwarder each have a defined role.
  • Reduce the financial shock from rare but expensive incidents – loss, theft, major damage, general average on ocean shipments, etc.

Cargo insurance does not remove operational risk, but it makes its financial impact predictable and manageable.

When does it make sense to buy cargo insurance?

Not every single shipment needs additional cargo insurance. But there are clear situations where moving without it is more of a gamble than a saving.

It usually makes sense to insure your cargo when:

  • The value of the shipment is high relative to your margins or cash-flow.
  • You are shipping by ocean and want protection against major damage or general average.
  • You use air freight for urgent or high-value goods where even partial loss is painful.
  • You ship regularly and want a more stable, predictable approach to risk, not case-by-case improvisations.
  • You trade under terms like DAP or DDP, where your customer expects you to take responsibility for the goods until delivery.

If you’re not sure whether a specific shipment needs insurance, share the details and we’ll give you a straightforward opinion – including cases where we think you can reasonably skip it.

How our cargo insurance process works

We keep the process simple and close to your existing RFQ and booking flow, so your team doesn’t have to manage a separate mini-project for each policy.

  • You share shipment and value details
    When you send your RFQ or booking request, you tell us the cargo description, value, origin, destination and mode (air, ocean, road).
  • We confirm insurance options and cost
    We check which cargo insurance options apply to your case and share the premium and basic conditions together with your transport offer.
  • You decide which shipments to insure
    You choose whether to add insurance for that shipment (or for a set of recurring flows). We only proceed when you give clear written confirmation.
  • We arrange coverage and confirm it in writing
    Once you confirm, we arrange the cargo insurance and send you written confirmation of the cover, including any key conditions you should be aware of.
  • If something happens, we help coordinate the claim
    In case of loss or damage, we help you gather documents, coordinate with the carrier and insurer, and keep the process moving in a structured way.

What we need from you to arrange cover

The more complete your information at the start, the easier it is to arrange the right cover at the right cost.

  • Cargo description – what exactly you are shipping (product type, packaging, any special handling needs).
  • Shipment value and currency – ideally including cost of goods, freight and any other costs you want covered.
  • Origin and destination – including countries and postcodes.
  • Mode of transport – air, ocean (FCL/LCL), road or a combination.
  • Incoterms and responsibilities – who bears the risk at which point in the journey.
  • Any known risk factors – high-value, theft-attractive goods, fragile goods, specific route risks, etc.

If some of these points are not fully defined yet, we can help you structure them so the insurance matches your real risk profile.

Cargo insurance FAQ

Yes. Many clients start by insuring specific high-value or sensitive shipments. If your flows grow, we can discuss a more structured approach, but you don’t have to insure every single movement from day one.

Standard carrier liability is not the same as full cargo insurance. It is limited by international conventions or terms and often covers only a fraction of your actual cargo value. Cargo insurance is what protects the full value agreed in the policy.

No insurance product covers absolutely everything. Each policy has its conditions and exclusions. Our job is to explain the basics in plain language and make sure you understand what is and isn’t covered before you decide.

Premiums are typically based on the cargo value, type of goods, origin/destination and mode of transport. For some clients and flows we may agree framework conditions; for others it’s per-shipment pricing. We always show the cost transparently.

You notify us as soon as you become aware of the issue. We help you collect the necessary documentation (photos, damage reports, delivery notes, invoices, etc.) and coordinate with the carrier and insurer so the claim can be properly assessed and settled. It is crucial to document all visible damage as soon as you detect it and, where applicable, obtain formal damage reports – this is key to handling the claim correctly.