As South Africa continues to strengthen its international trade ties, it is becoming increasingly important for cargo owners to get to grips with the complexities of arranging marine cargo insurance. Simon Foulds speaks to Carmen Pasqualle, marine manager at Lion of Africa Insurance, to find out what these are.

Pasqualle says: “With the rise of cargo ship accidents worldwide, including the bulk carrier Smart that recently ran aground off the main beach at Richards Bay, cargo owners can not afford to skimp on cover, or making costly mistakes that could present their businesses with even bigger problems, in the event of an accident.

“Marine cargo insurance helps cargo owners to cover the physical damage or loss of their goods while being transported by sea. Failing to arrange appropriate cover can potentially harm a business and have a serve impact on its revenue stream.”

She says that it is important to take note of the following when taking out marine cargo insurance cover:

• Limited cover–Inexperienced cargo owners often view insurance as a grudge purchase and risk not having adequate cover in place. This exposes their businesses to financial and liability risks in the event of an accident.
• Picking on price–During tough economic conditions, businesseshave the tendency to shop around for cover only using price as determining factor. Businesses should rather focus on what the policy covers, instead of basing their decision solely on price. Rushing to sign a contract without fully understanding the terms and conditions of the policy is a mistake. Each business is unique and has its own insurance needs.
• Reducing liability – Opting for lower liability, or other limits, in order to save on monthly premium costs is certainly not advisable. First seek advice from brokers and insurers to arrange the right amount of cover for the business, as well as to protect personal assets.
• Unaffordable deductibles – Avoid opting for deductibles that youcannot afford.A deductible, commonly known as excess, is the amount that a business will have to pay upfront before an insurer can settle a claim. While choosing a higher deductible may help to reduce monthly premium costs, it is best to choose a deductible that will be affordable in the event of a claim.

Pasqualle states: “Businesses should also be familiar with general average, which is independent from marine cargo insurance. It is an agreement between the ship owner and cargo owners to share any losses resulting from a voluntary sacrifice of part of the ship or cargo to save the whole during an emergency. General average claims can arise from the ship being stranded, catching fire, damaged engine and when the ship is in any danger of sinking.

“Marine cargo policies come in two forms, namely: open policy, which covers a number of consignments, and a specific policy, which normally covers specific consignments. There is also an option to take out an all-risk or total loss cargo policy, which covers against all fortuitous losses.”

She concludes:“Regardless of the nature of business, it is advisable to seek advice from a broker or insurer before arranging any type of marine cargo cover, to fully understand exclusions and avoid being over and underinsured in the event of a loss.”