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Marine Cargo Insurance Australia
Your goods are out of your hands for days, even weeks, and vulnerable to theft, rough seas, accidents and weather. Marine cargo insurance is designed to safeguard the worth of your goods as they travel from one port to another.
At VIM Cover, we can assist Australian importers, exporters and freight operators to compare marine cargo insurance quotes from a number of different insurers, ensuring that you are covered for what you are shipping, how you are shipping it and where it is going. We are an independent broker — our job is to give clear advice, explain your options in plain English, and make sure your marine freight insurance is structured properly from the start.
We help you make sure:
- Your goods are protected against loss or damage in transit, anywhere in the world
- Your cover is as you ship — one voyage or all year long
- Your policy meets the contractual and trade-terms obligations of your buyers and sellers
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Our Insurers
We compare cover from leading marine insurance companies to find you the right protection at the right price.
The COVER
What is marine cargo insurance?
Marine cargo insurance – also known as marine and transit insurance- protects your goods against physical loss or damage while they’re being transported by sea, air, road or rail. It is used when importing goods to Australia, exporting goods to overseas markets and moving freight within Australia.
Around 90% of Australia’s international trade moves by sea, so marine and cargo insurance is one of the most important covers for any business that ships goods. If a container is lost overboard, a pallet is damaged in a storm, stock is stolen from a warehouse, or freight is dropped during loading, a marine cargo policy covers the financial loss so it doesn’t fall on your business.
We help you choose the right marine transit insurance for your goods, your routes and how often you ship — so you’re covered where it counts, without paying for cover you don’t need.
The Risks
Why your business needs marine cargo insurance
After your products are out of your hands, you can’t do much to control them. If you don’t have the proper cover, you’re taking a risk. Marine cargo insurance responds to situations like:
- Financial loss - cargo that's damaged, lost or stolen comes straight off your bottom line
- Contractual obligations - Incoterms and trade contracts often make you responsible for insuring the goods
- Domestic transit risk - road and rail freight within Australia is also at risk, not just overseas shipping
- Business disruption - if the shipment is lost, production, orders and cash flow can all be delayed
The right policy turns a damaged or missing shipment from a serious hit into a manageable claim.
Who needs marine cargo insurance?
We arrange marine cargo insurance for any business that moves goods, including:
Trade & manufacturing
- Importers and exporters
- Manufacturers
- Wholesalers and distributors
Freight & logistics
- Freight forwarders
- Logistics and transport operators
- Businesses arranging marine transport insurance for regular shipments
Retail & specialised
- E-commerce businesses shipping internationally
- Food and beverage suppliers
- Businesses moving high-value or fragile goods
If your goods spend time in transit, marine freight insurance is worth considering.
What's Included
What marine cargo insurance covers
Marine cargo insurance coverage is built from several parts, tailored to your goods and how they travel. A typical policy can include:
Physical loss or damage to your goods while being shipped by sea, air, road or rail — including theft, fire, rough seas and accidents. This is the core of every policy.
Damage caused by storms, floods, earthquakes and other events outside your control.
Theft and piracy
Cover for cargo stolen in transit or storage, including goods moving through higher-risk trade routes.
General average contribution
If cargo is sacrificed to save a vessel in distress, your policy covers your share of the shared costs — a standard part of international shipping.
Sue and labour costs
Reasonable costs you incur to prevent or reduce further loss, such as repacking or redirecting goods.
Loading and unloading
Damage that occurs while your goods are being handled at ports, warehouses or distribution centres.
Third-party liability
Protection if your cargo damages someone else’s goods during transport.
Warehouse to warehouse
Extended cover for inland transit and storage — from the origin warehouse all the way to the final destination.
The cover, limits and exclusions are different from policy to policy — we’ll explain the detail before you make your decision.
Our Expertise
Single voyage or annual cover - which do you need?
The first thing you’ll need to decide when you’re dealing with marine cargo insurance is how your policy is set up. We’ll help you pick the right fit:
Single voyage cover
Covers one specific shipment from start to finish. Ideal for one-off or occasional consignments, with a single premium paid at the start of the journey.
Annual (open) cover
Covers all your shipments over a 12-month period under one policy. Ideal for regular importers and exporters — more convenient and usually more cost-effective than insuring each shipment separately.
Own goods or customers’ goods?
If you are shipping your own goods, you will require a marine cargo policy. For carriers or transport operators who are transporting other people’s goods, you will need goods-in-transit / carriers cover. We will ensure that you have the correct one.
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COMMON QUESTION
All-risk or named-peril cover?
Marine policies also vary in terms of their scope of coverage. All-risk cover (ICC Clause A) is the widest cover available, covering all risks of physical loss or damage, with specific exclusions such as war, strikes and inherent vice. Named-peril cover (Clauses B and C) covers only the specific events listed in the policy, usually at a lower cost. The right choice depends on the value and sensitivity of your goods, and we’ll explain the trade-offs clearly so you can decide with confidence.
5/5 from Australian business owners
Independent brokers
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PRICING
How much does marine cargo insurance cost?
No single price – premiums vary depending on what you’re shipping and how. The main factors insurers consider are:
- The value of your cargo
- The type of goods (higher-value or fragile items usually cost more to cover)
- The route and destination
- The transport method (sea, air, road or rail)
- How often you ship
- The cover level and any add-ons you choose
As an independent broker, we compare marine insurance companies to find the right level of cover at a competitive price, rather than quoting a one-size-fits-all figure. The most reliable way to obtain a number is to ask for a quote.
5/5 from Australian business owners
Independent brokers
Support at claim time
“Excellent in helping me with my new policy.”
– Sam West
Why VIM Cover
Why businesses choose VIM Cover for marine cargo insurance
Shipping is complicated enough without second-guessing your insurance. From sending one container annually to moving freight weekly, the right cover ensures the value of your goods is protected and your business continues to operate when things go wrong.
We are independent insurance brokers and we do not use one insurance company or one product. We compare marine insurance companies against a panel of insurers and explain the differences, as the cheapest policy is not always the best one. The right choice will depend on your goods, your routes, your trade terms and how you ship.
We also believe in plain-English advice. We’ll explain what’s covered, what’s optional, what isn’t covered and what insurers will want to know — so you’re never left to decode a policy document on your own.
- Clear policies with no hidden surprises
- Real support from quote through to claim
- Real support from quote to claim
- Cover for domestic and international freight
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Independent brokers
Support at claim time
Tailored To You
Marine cargo cover structured around your business
Every business ships differently, and your cover should reflect that.
We take the time to understand what you move, where it goes, how it travels and the trade terms you work under. Then we help shape a marine cargo policy tailored to your specific risks rather than a generic, off-the-shelf product — reducing the chance of coverage gaps and making sure your protection is in place when you need it.
MAKING A CLAIM
What you'll need to make a claim
Marine claims move faster when the paperwork is in order. If a shipment is lost or damaged, you’ll generally need your commercial invoice, bill of lading, packing list, photos of the damage and a written statement of the loss. As your broker, we manage the claim on your behalf and guide you through exactly what’s required, so you can focus on your business.
Related cover: Transport & Logistics Insurance · Truck Insurance · Business Insurance Package
Reviews
Trusted by Australian businesses
We are responsive, easy to deal with and results-oriented, which is why businesses select VIM Cover. We strive to get the right cover at the right price and we support it when it counts.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is marine cargo insurance mandatory?
It’s not legally required, but it’s often written into trade contracts, and Incoterms may place responsibility for insuring the goods on either the buyer or seller. Most businesses take it out because the cost of an uninsured loss can be significant.
What's the difference between single voyage and annual cover?
Single voyage cover insures one specific shipment, while annual (open) cover insures all your shipments over a 12-month period under one policy. Regular importers and exporters usually find annual cover more convenient and cost-effective.
Does marine cargo insurance cover international and domestic shipments?
Yes. Cover can be used for goods transported overseas by sea or air, and for goods transported domestically by road or rail within Australia.
What is general average, and am I covered for it?
General average is a maritime principle where cargo owners share the cost when goods are sacrificed to save a vessel. A marine cargo policy will usually cover your portion, and you won’t be left with an unexpected bill.
How much does marine cargo insurance cost?
It depends on your cargo value, the type of goods, the route, transport method, how often you ship and the cover you choose. The best way to get an accurate figure is to compare insurers.
What's the difference between marine insurance and transit insurance?
They’re closely related — marine insurance covers both international and domestic movements, while transit insurance usually focuses on domestic transport. Many businesses combine both for consistent protection wherever their goods travel.
Related Guides
How It Works
Arranging marine cargo insurance doesn't need to be complicated.
1 / Tell us about your goods – what you ship, where it goes and how it travels.
2 / We compare the market – we assess your risks and gather suitable options across our insurer network.
3/ You choose your cover – we explain the options and set up the right policy for your shipments.
4 / We’re here at claim time – if something goes wrong, we manage the claim on your behalf.
Get clear advice, tailored options, and cover structured properly from the start.
5/5 from Australian business owners
Independent brokers
Support at claim time