Ocean freight is remarkably safe — and remarkably unforgiving when it is not. Containers do go overboard, warehouses do flood, and consolidated cargo does get handled roughly. Marine cargo insurance converts these rare catastrophes into paperwork, for a premium that is a rounding error on a rug shipment's value.
Who Insures, Under Which Term
Under FOB, insurance is your job from the moment the goods are on board — arrange it through your freight forwarder or a cargo insurer. Under CIF, the supplier buys insurance to your named port, but conventionally at minimum cover; check the certificate and top up if you want fuller protection. Under EXW or DDP, follow the risk: whoever bears the transit risk should hold the policy.
What Cover to Buy
Ask for "all risks" institute cargo clauses (the widest standard cover) rather than named-perils cover, insure at CIF value plus ten percent (the customary formula covering goods, freight and a margin of expenses), and check the policy covers the full journey — warehouse to warehouse, not just port to port. For LCL shipments, confirm cover during consolidation handling, which is where rugs most often collect damage.
If You Ever Claim
Note damage on the delivery receipt before the driver leaves, photograph everything unopened and opened, keep the packaging, and notify the insurer and forwarder immediately — claims run on promptness and evidence. A supplier's export-grade packing is your real first line of defence; the policy is the second.
Our rugs leave Bhadohi in moisture-barrier baling designed for six weeks at sea, and our packing lists give insurers the clean data they like. Ask us how your order will be packed — then insure it anyway.