"All-Risk" Cargo Insurance Explained

Don’t guess when it comes to coverage. Understand the risks and protect your high-value freight with the right insurance.

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The Difference: Carrier Liability vs. All-Risk Insurance

Many shippers assume their cargo is fully insured by the carrier. The reality is shockingly different. Understanding the gap between basic liability and true “All-Risk” coverage is the most important step in protecting your investment.

Carrier Liability

This is NOT true insurance. It’s a minimal level of protection a carrier is legally required to have. It only pays out if you can prove the carrier was negligent, and even then, claims are often settled for pennies on the dollar (e.g., $0.60 per pound), regardless of your freight’s actual value.

"All-Risk" Cargo Insurance

This is true, first-party insurance that covers your freight for its full declared value. It protects against a wide range of external risks, including accidents, damage, theft, and weather. The burden of proof shifts—the insurance company must prove your claim isn’t covered, rather than you proving carrier fault.

At-a-Glance Comparison

Feature Carrier Liability All-Risk Insurance
Coverage Basis Carrier Negligence Declared Value
Claim Payout Often pennies on the dollar Full value (minus deductible)
Burden of Proof Shipper must prove carrier fault Carrier must prove they’re not liable
Protection Against Only carrier negligence Theft, damage, acts of God, etc.
Best For Low-value, durable goods High-value, sensitive freight

When Is All-Risk Insurance Essential?

If your freight is high-value, time-sensitive, or critical to your operations, All-Risk insurance is a must. This includes:

Insurance FAQs

Carriers have 'Liability' insurance, which is not the same as full coverage. It only pays out if the carrier is proven negligent and even then, it's often limited to a small amount per pound, which may be pennies on the dollar of your freight's actual value.

All-Risk insurance covers loss or damage from any external cause, such as accidents, theft, fire, weather events, and more. It protects your financial interest up to the full value you declare, minus a small deductible. Some exclusions, like improper packaging, may apply.

The cost is a small percentage of the freight's declared value. It's a minor investment to protect a significant asset. We provide a precise quote based on your cargo's value and the shipping lane.

In the unlikely event of damage, the process is simple. You document the damage upon delivery, and our team will guide you through the streamlined claims process with the insurance provider. Because you don't have to prove carrier negligence, claims are typically resolved much faster.

Yes. We offer robust insurance options for cross-border shipments, ensuring your freight is protected no matter where it's headed in North America.

Don't Risk Your Investment

Let our experts provide a quote that includes full, all-risk coverage. Ship with the confidence that your cargo is protected from end to end.