Like virtually anything you buy in life, if it is new it usually costs more. This is the case when purchasing a cargo shipping container. You can save a lot of money on your cargo shipments expenses by considering the purchase of a used shipping container. The better condition the cargo container is in, the more expensive a used one will cost.

It is important to keep these things in mind before purchasing a used container:

• Not all containers are created equally- If you are shipping cargo by sea, you must make sure that the container you purchase is sea worthy and meets all international standards. Some containers are built to be transported on land and cannot stand up to the rigors of sea travel. A cargo shipment container that will be used on the sea must be waterproof and weather proof. Weatherproof is defined as being able to withstand the wind, movements and onslaught of all elements that are possible in the middle of the ocean.
• The doors- Make sure that you carefully examine the strength of the doors. Specifically, make sure that the locking mechanisms on the doors and the levers function correctly and appear secure. If you plan on replacing the doors with new ones, keep this expense in mind when determining whether purchasing a new or used cargo shipping container makes sense.
• The interior- Quite often, cargo containers have floors made of plywood. Over the lifetime of a container, these floors can be battered by rigors of sea travel. Also, make sure that there are no signs of animal or insect problems. It is possible that the container you buy may have been inactive for a period of time. This could cause unwelcome visitors to find a home in your container. It makes sense to have your shipping container de-loused by quarantine authorities.
• The exterior- It is critically important that your cargo be shipped in a container that is rust-free. Examine both the inside and outside of the container. Look carefully as it is easy to miss signs of rust particularly near the top or bottom of the container. Quite often, rust will develop in the seams at the corners where tiny air holes remain from when the container was welded together.

Whether you ship your cargo in a new or used container, visit CargoInsurance.com to find the best rates on cargo insurance.

In 1884, a ship containing extensive amounts of cargo called the Inchmaree suffered extensive cargo damage. This was not the result of a crash, a sinking ship, or even war-related damage. The cargo on the Inchmaree was damaged thanks to the breakdown of internal pumps, and the cargo was flooded and destroyed.

The owners of the cargo submitted claims to their insurance companies. However, a British court ruled that the accident was not caused by “perils of the sea” and therefore was not covered by any of the standard policies the cargo owners owned. As you can imagine, the cargo owners were devastated by this ruling. They applied pressure on cargo insurance policy issuers, resulting in the Inchmaree Clause being added to most marine cargo insurance policies. This clause states that any accidents that occur that are not related to “perils of the sea” but are directly related to the shipping of the cargo are indeed covered.

This means that in your marine cargo insurance policy, your coverage now includes damage or loss caused by the following:

• Breakage of the ship’s drive shafts
• Bursting of the ship’s boilers
• Unseen hull defects
• Unseen machinery or auxiliary equipment damage
• Errors in navigation
• Negligence on the part of the ship’s captain, officers, engineers, crew, pilots, etc.

Marine Cargo Insurance is critical to have when shipping your cargo across any body of water by ship. Keep in mind that most policy offerings are not typically regulated by local government agencies. Getting a marine cargo insurance quote requires more scrutiny than simply taking the cheapest policy offered.

When you are seeking marine cargo insurance quotes, you should verify that the policies offered include the Inchmaree Clause. The good news is that it is very unlikely that any policy offered today would not.

Another important detail when considering marine cargo insurance is the transfer of insurance and risk once the goods are delivered to the various endpoints. You need to make sure that your policy includes the risk that shifts to the ship at the loading port, as well as the point at which the insurance coverage and responsibility transfers at the depot, truck, plane, or train. It is critical to consider the entire path of the good when determining the best marine policy, and when getting your marine cargo insurance quote.

Finding the most complete coverage at the best price is what you need when it comes to marine cargo insurance quotes! Use CargoInsurance.com to begin the process of finding the best insurance policy for your cargo.

Sending cargo by ship is a smart choice when your cargo needs to cross the oceans to reach your customers. Marine shipping is one of the most effective shipping methods available. While reviewing the cargo insurance quotes before selecting one, you likely believed that you have provided for every contingency. But what if something happens to your cargo due to an act of war? It is time to consider war risk insurance.

War risk insurance came into existence in 1914 when the United States Congress realized there was a need for it. The Treasury Department created the Bureau of War Risk Insurance to create and manage claims. This was updated in 1917 to create a life insurance program for merchant marines as well.

War risk did not stop with the end of the First or Second World War. As piracy issues continue to worsen in some geographic areas, war risk insurance for your cargo is even more critical than ever. It is important that you factor in the risk of war when you are getting your cargo insurance quotes.

If your cargo is traveling through waters considered to be high risk, war risk policies are critical. When your standard policy ends, the cargo war risk policy kicks in. In most cargo war risk insurance policies, most perils defined as “war” are covered. They include

hull breeches, ships being taken hostage by terrorists or pirates, and other issues.

War risk cargo insurance policies can remain in effect for brief periods. They can be canceled as quickly as with 48 hours notice. This allows for coverage in high risk areas with the flexibility to cancel once this risk is less.

War risk cargo insurance policies are regulated. It is necessary to verify the regulations and make sure that your cargo insurance quotes are meeting all of the regulations required.

If you are shipping goods through international waters, having a contingency insurance plan that includes cargo war risk insurance is a smart plan. Use CargoInsurance.com and find the cargo insurance policy that is the best fit for you!

You need to ship your cargo. Whether you are simply sending it across town or exporting it across the world, it is critical that your products get where they are going – and that they are protected along the way. With so many different shipping options available, it is important that you have all the information you need, including details about how to protect your goods with cargo insurance.

Cargo is defined as goods, products or materials carried by ship, truck or van, plane, or rail. Each method of transportation has its own benefits and cargo insurance requirements.

• Shipping by sea – also called marine cargo – includes automobiles, break bulk, containers, and heavy lift cargo such like manufacturing equipment, large military equipment, and items such as heat exchangers or generators.
• Shipping by air – airfreight – can include smaller pallets and packages, or even large containers called Unit Load Devices.
• Shipping by train – rail freight – allows for the shipment of smaller pallet loads, as well as coal, steel, and even trash.
• Shipping by truck or van covers elements of all of the above, and allows for the largest flexibility by location, but at the smallest volume.

If you need a quote for your cargo insurance, you need to have some very basic info available. You need to know what your cargo is, what the value of that cargo amounts to, how it will be packaged and protected for the trip. You also need to know the departure point and where it will be arriving. With this simple information, you can begin getting your quotes for cargo insurance.

When you are getting your cargo insurance quotes, you need to pay close attention to a few points. If you are seeking an “all risk” policy – basically, a policy that covers everything – do not assume that is enough. Even the best all risk policy usually includes a clause that states “except as otherwise provided.” Most exclusions are buried in the policy, in the section called “endorsements.” Read the language in the cargo policy choices before choosing. The last point to consider is that your cargo insurance policy covers the entire delivery – what is called “door to door” in cargo insurance terms. You do not want your cargo insurance policy to stop at the pier or the warehouse!

We hope that with this information, making a decision about your shipping needs and cargo insurance will be much simpler.

CargoInsurance.com- worldwide coverage!

It can be exhilarating when your company becomes large enough that you are beginning to engage in large shipments of cargo by road freight, rail, plane, or ship. There is no more important time than to make sure you are covering all of your bases when it comes to cargo insurance. There are many different factors to consider when investigating cargo insurance quotes, particularly the actual legal requirements for cargo insurance. The federal government has some regulations in place, and it makes sense to familiarize yourself with these requirements, whatever shipment method you plan to use.

Because the vast majority of cargo is transported by motor carrier (truck or van), it makes sense to look at those regulations first. Remember – just because the federally mandated cargo insurance regulations have low minimums does NOT mean that you should only purchase the least amount of cargo insurance allowed.

Listed below are the regulations set forth by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

First, the form BMC-91X and the form BMC-34 must be filed with the DOT by all contract carriers of cargo. The minimum liability required is $750,000 in coverage for non-hazardous goods, $1,000,000 for hazardous materials (check for definitions of hazardous goods) and $5,000,000 for the most hazardous materials. (again, you can check the federal regulations for what good fall into what hazardous classification) Few trucking companies carry the $5,000,000 liability coverage. The vast majority prefer to only transport goods that fall into the first two categories. Additionally, the Carmack Amendment to the DOT regulations also makes the trucker liable for the market value of the goods if they are lost or stolen. The insurance requirements, however, are relatively low, only $5,000.

If you are a cargo shipper, your goods are likely to be valued higher than the federal cargo insurance regulations minimum requirements will cover. In order to avoid the substantial loss of goods when shipping, it is imperative to purchase additional cargo insurance unless you intend to restrict your cargo shipments to less than the value of the shipping companies liability minimums. It is also very important to carefully review the cargo insurance policies – whether those offered by the shipping company or by you to protect your materials – for any coverage loopholes. Exclusions can leave you short-changed when it comes to filing a claim for goods, particularly those that are stolen.

When you are getting your cargo insurance quotes, it is important to know the federal cargo regulations because you do not want to ship your cargo with less insurance coverage than the cargo is worth. Take the time to select both your shipping company and your cargo insurance coverage with care!