ACA is an agent for one of the most reputable marine insurers in the country. This association means we can negotiate insurance rates through our volume and pass the savings onto our clients. It is always worthwhile to check our rates, and seek our advice on whether your policy actually covers your cargo movements in full.

Don't trust people who promise that they will not damage your goods during transportation. Trust the people who assist you in lowering your risk and choosing reliable business partners!

Few of us like to deal with claims, so here are a few useful rules on how to protect yourself from unnecessary damage:

Make sure you have valued your goods correctly and ensure you have sufficient insurance coverage. An insurance claim can be made at any time, even after despatch of goods, however, your insurance application must be lodged and processed prior to any damage occuring or you may not be covered.

If you do not know how to arrange Cargo Insurance ACA International P / L will be more than happy to handle this for you upon receipt of the CONTACT US FORM accessible at the bottom of this page.

Remember an ALL RISK insurance does not cover every risk !

Make sure that you know the conditions of carriage and liabilities of the NVOCC who is responsible for your goods. It may be difficult to recoup money from an unkown NVOCC that is not represented by a first class agent in your home country.

If you are facing a damage, make sure, that…

• a) you or your warehouse makes a written exception (note of reserve) on the delivery document. This document is to be signed also by the Carrier and/or stevedores or landing authority at delivery point of goods. Claims are only recognised should damage be apparent immediately or with notification within three days of a concealed loss and/or damage.
• b) you hold the carrier (possibly not only the NVOCC, but also the actual carrier), the forwarder, the shipper and the warehouse and any other party possibly involved in the transport, liable by registered letter for the damage.
• c) you do not get upset when the carrier rejects your claim. This is part of their standard claim-procedure!
• d) you do NOT DEDUCT your claim from Freight- and or Duty charges payable to the carrier or the forwarder as this may affect your ability to claim.
• e) you inform your Insurance company in accordance to the conditions of the Insurance policy stipulated.
• f) you invite any party involved in the transport chain to make a survey on the damaged cargo, by stipulating a date and place at which the cargo/equipment will be available for inspection.
• g) if you are not aware of any survey-inspector indicated by the insurers you should ask for the intervention of the nearest LLOYDS AGENT to effect a survey (this survey inspector is also called an Average Agent)
• IMPORTANT: The Insured, the Consignee or others on their behalf, are always bound to protect the recovery action of the Insurers in respects of those who are responsible of the loss and/or damage and to interrupt the period of prescription according to the terms of Law.

Your Insurance will require documentation:

• Survey Report
• Insurance policy or Insurance Certificate (original duly endorsed)
• Bill of Lading (If Airfreight: Airway Bill)
• Loading reports
• Shipping Instructions
• Copy of the claim letter to the Carrier's Agent
• Original reply to claim letter
• Copies of letters in which you hold the carrier responsible
• Commercial Invoice (the insurance does not pay more than the actual damage)
• Packing List (incl. list of weights)
• Carrier's short delivery certificate or letter
• Any other document in respect of the loss and/or damage which may facilitate the adjustment of the claim