The probability of sustaining a loss on goods in transit is
greater
than you may think. On average, a ship sinks every
day. Long
Voyages, extensive moving and shifting of cargo,
theft, and bad
weather all add substantially to the potential
for loss or damage.
 Many shippers are misled into relying on the carrier to pay for losses in transit. Law or tariff restrictions limit the liability of Ocean carriers to $ 500 per package, International Air Carriers limit their liability to approximately $ 23.50 per kilo per the Montreal Protocol 4, and Domestic Air Carriers typically limit their liability to $.50 per lb. Also, most carriers are not responsible for losses that are unforeseeable and beyond their control.
Even if your goods arrive safely, you could still be forced to pay for someone else’s loss. The term is General Average and this maritime concept has been around for over 3000 years. Under General Average, those whose cargo survives a voyage are charged to repay the loss of another shipper whose cargo may have been jettisoned or lost for the protection of the vessel and the remaining load. Whether you want to insure your goods on a shipment-by-shipment basis through our “open cargo” policy, or if you want us to help design a policy that meets your unique transportation needs, Hasler is there to make sure your liabilities are covered and your exposure is minimized. Some of the many options we offer are: |
