Should you insure your Cargo?
Freight forwarders generally do not insure your shipment automatically, although depending on the nature of your goods and value they can usually arrange full marine insurance on your behalf.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Protects goods in transit beyond the limited liability of carriers.
- Arranged on Your Behalf: We facilitate insurance through specialist insurers, acting as an intermediary.
- Risk Management: Avoid financial exposure beyond carrier liability.
Need Marine Transit Insurance? Contact Us
The Purpose of Marine/Transit Insurance
Marine/transit insurance provides comprehensive coverage for goods during transportation, addressing risks beyond the limited liability of carriers or agents.
- Arrangement of Insurance: Barrington can facilitate freight cargo insurance upon receiving written instructions from the freight-paying party. It’s essential to note that Barrington acts as an intermediary; the actual insurance contract is between the client and the insurer.
- Coverage for Fragile Items: Specifying the need for coverage on fragile goods, such as glassware, is crucial, as premiums for these items are typically higher.
- Claims Process: With marine freight insurance in place, insurers generally process valid claims promptly and subsequently seek recovery from the carrier or agent under subrogation.
- Absence of Insurance: Without marine/transit insurance, clients rely solely on the carrier’s or agent’s limited liability, which may not cover the full value of potential losses.
- Valuation and Premiums: Premiums are calculated per £100 of the insured value, typically encompassing the delivered value plus an additional 10% to account for potential freight costs of a replacement consignment.
- No Claims Bonuses: Marine/transit insurance policies do not offer “no claims bonuses.”
- Consequential Losses: These policies do not cover consequential losses. Barrington, along with carriers and agents, does not accept liability for such losses, as outlined in our terms.
- Claims Settlement: Claims should be addressed separately from standard trading accounts and cannot be deducted from Barrington’s sales ledger.
If you have a shipment with us and require an insurance quotation, please contact our operations team today: give us a call 01268 525 444 or email us info@barringtonfreight.co.uk.
Cargo Owners and General Average Following the Ever Given Incident in the Suez Canal
In March 2021, the Ever Given, a container vessel operated by Evergreen Marine, became lodged in the Suez Canal, blocking one of the world’s most critical trade routes for nearly a week. The incident disrupted global supply chains, leading to significant delays and financial repercussions for cargo owners.
General Average Declaration and its Impact on Cargo Owners
Following the incident, the vessel owners declared General Average (GA)—a maritime principle requiring that all stakeholders in a voyage (including cargo owners) proportionally share losses incurred to save the vessel and cargo. This declaration meant that cargo owners had to contribute to the costs of refloating the ship and associated expenses before their goods could be released.
Financial Burden on Uninsured Cargo Owners
Cargo owners who did not have marine insurance (such as cargo insurance covering GA events) faced significant unexpected costs. Without insurance:
- They had to pay GA contributions out-of-pocket before retrieving their cargo.
- Contributions were based on the value of their goods, meaning higher-value shipments faced larger financial exposure.
- Goods remained stuck in legal limbo until payment was made, leading to further supply chain delays and financial losses.
The Ever Given incident highlighted the risks of shipping cargo without adequate marine insurance. Cargo insurance typically covers General Average contributions, ensuring that the insurer pays the necessary charges, preventing financial strain on businesses. The event underscored the importance of proper risk management in international trade, particularly for cargo owners relying on global shipping routes.
Customer Reviews
Posted on Google 
Sam McGowan
17 August 2026
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic Service. Lee organised a last minute pickup from Sweden back to England. The shipment was under Carnet. Very good professional service at a competitive rate! I will be using them again.
Posted on Google
Louise Ponsford
13 August 2026
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service from start to finish. Simon at Barrington Freight handled our crate of mechanical machine parts from the UK to Canada with exceptional care, keeping us informed throughout. His Canadian agent also arranged customs clearance, making the entire process straightforward and stress-free. Highly recommended.
Posted on Google
Proydohi
6 August 2026
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I would like to thank the entire Barrington Freight team for their professional work and assistance in organizing the shipment of my cargo to the UK. I will definitely use their services again. Highly recommended.
Posted on Google
Mike Yeo
23 July 2026
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The team at Barrington Freight were brilliant, leading us through the minefield that is exports to the EU. Nothing was too much trouble and we received immediate answers to all our many questions. We will definitely use them again and recomend them to anyone.
Posted on Google
Courtney Freeman
22 June 2026
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a fantastic experience importing our goods from Florida and honestly couldn’t fault the service. The quote was quick and easy, booking was straightforward and everything was handled smoothly from start to finish. As this was our first import we needed a bit of guidance along the way but Simon was brilliant. He took care of everything, kept us updated throughout and was always on hand to answer our questions. What seemed like a complicated process was made incredibly simple and stress free. The customer service was excellent, communication was spot on and our shipment arrived without any issues. We wouldn’t hesitate to use them again and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable freight forwarder. Thanks again for making our first import such a positive experience!
Posted on Google
Katie r Smith
18 June 2026
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Simon looked after our air freight import from China and provided an excellent service throughout. The shipment arrived safely and quicker than expected, with clear communication at every stage. We were very pleased with the experience and will definitely use Simon and his team at Barrington Freight again in the future.
Posted on Google
Phil Holloway
18 June 2026
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We needed to get a shipment out to the USA quickly and Simon made the whole process far easier than we expected. Communication was straightforward, we were kept updated throughout, and everything arrived on time without any issues. It's refreshing to deal with someone who knows exactly what they're doing and gets things done. We'd happily use Simon again for future air freight shipments.
Posted on Google
James Roberts
15 June 2026
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Matt really looked after us and made our shipment completely stress free, I will be using the services of Barrington Freight for all my overseas shipments from now on. Thanks Matt, great service
Posted on Google
General Enquiries
23 April 2026
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have had consistently excellent service from Barrington Freight. Our main contact, Joshua Armstrong, is always incredibly helpful and reliable. He goes above and beyond to ensure everything runs smoothly. Communication is clear and prompt and any issues are handled quickly and efficiently. It's reassuring to know that everything is in safe hands from start to finish. I would highly recommend Barrington Freight to anyone looking for dependable and professional logistics partner.
Posted on Google
George Dunster
10 April 2026
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a time-critical air freight shipment coming in from China to the UK and Simon was a huge help in getting it over the line. Right before arrival, an issue came up due to a mistake from the airline, which could have turned into a real headache. Simon picked it up straight away, dealt with it quickly and managed to sort everything without any extra costs on our side. Really solid support throughout and easy to deal with, especially given the urgency. Another great job by Barrington Freight - we’ll definitely be using them again!
Posted on Google
Euphoric Bedding
1 April 2026
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Good service during a turbulent global shipping period. Special thanks goes to Lee for his efficiency and proactive updates and for rescheduling a delivery in less than 24hrs when the haulage company didn’t read their own paperwork and sent a lorry without the requested tail lift. Highly recommended.
Posted on Google
Creators Boutique
10 March 2026
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Professional service. Recommended and will certainly work with them again myself.
Posted on Google
The Greens
5 March 2026
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great communication, competitive and efficient delivery
Posted on Google
Shannon Sharp
4 March 2026
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We’ve worked with Barringtons for the past two years, and the service has been excellent throughout. Every shipment has been handled with great care and real personal attention. A special thanks to Simon, who has been outstanding—always professional, responsive, and a pleasure to work with. Highly recommended!
Posted on Google
Peter Aylmore
4 March 2026
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Barringtons always have worked well for us . They are efficient with the import / export paperwork . Always answer very quickly with both quotations and any issues. prices always competitive , indeed recently saved our customer a considerable sum on an export job. Truly excellent service
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Comprehensive Marine and Transit Insurance for Secure Shipments
How Does Marine and Transit Insurance From Barrington Freight Protect Your Shipments?
While freight carriers may offer limited liability, this may not fully cover the value of your goods in the event of loss or damage. Marine and transit insurance provides additional protection by ensuring shipments are covered for their full value rather than relying solely on a carrier’s restricted compensation limits.
At Barrington Freight, we arrange freight cargo insurance on behalf of our clients through specialist insurers. This means we do not provide the insurance ourselves but facilitate comprehensive cover, ensuring goods in transit are protected against unforeseen circumstances. Our team advises on the right level of protection, whether for road, sea or air freight, giving businesses peace of mind when moving valuable cargo.
If you require additional coverage for your shipment, contact our team today for expert advice and a no-obligation quote.
Choose the Right Marine Freight Insurance for Your Commercial Priorities
Selecting the right marine freight insurance depends on the type of goods being transported, the shipping route and the level of risk involved. Businesses moving high-value cargo, such as machinery or electronics, should opt for all-risk insurance, covering damage, theft and loss. Lower-value or bulk shipments may be suited to total-loss coverage, which provides protection only if the entire consignment is lost.
At Barrington Freight, we assist clients in navigating the complexities of insurance for cargo, helping them choose policies that align with their specific shipping needs. Whether you require one-off cover or regular protection for frequent shipments, we ensure a seamless process with no hidden costs.
Protect your shipments with confidence. Contact Barrington Freight today for expert shipping services and a competitive cargo freight insurance quotation.
Key Information on Marine/Transit Insurance with Barrington Freight
The purpose of marine/transit insurance is to cover the goods during transit for “All risks/total value” of the consignment and not to rely on the limited liability of agents or carriers.
- This can be undertaken by Barrington on behalf of the client upon receipt of written instructions. (Barrington cannot arrange such insurance other than with the freight paying party.)
- If Barrington is requested to arrange transit/marine insurance, it is arranged ON BEHALF OF THE CLIENT and it is not Barrington actually insuring the goods. It is the same as if the client arranged the insurance himself through an insurance company or broker. Barrington will charge a client for this service.
- A customer can probably obtain cheaper premiums through their own brokers.
- It is important to clarify whether breakage insurance for fragile goods is required or not, such as glassware. Premiums will be higher for breakable items.
- If transit/marine insurance is implemented, and if there is a claim, normally insurers would settle any bona fide claim expeditiously and then claim from the carrier/agent under subrogation. The carrier/agent would then normally settle with the marine/transit insurers within the terms of their liability, be it CMR or other relevant terms.
- If a client does not take out a marine/transit insurance cover, then they rely on the relevant terms of the carrier/agent should there be a claim, and depending on circumstances, the total value of such a claim may not be fully covered and this is at the client’s risk, not that of the carrier or agent.
- Marine/transit insurance is value-based at a premium per GBP 100.00 insured. Normally the insured value is the delivered value plus 10%. The 10% effectively covers the cost of freight for a duplicate consignment should the first one be lost. If a claim is made against such a cover, it does not mean that premiums would normally be increased unless there is a succession of attrition claims. Also, there is not normally an excess applicable unless there is an inherent risk of damage being sustained during transit, e.g. bags/sacks which can easily be snagged.
- “No claims bonuses” do not apply to marine/transit insurance.
- Consequential loss claims are not covered by marine/transit insurance and are not accepted by Barrington or any carrier/agent for whatever reason – as is indicated in our terms.
- Claims cannot lawfully be deducted from the Barrington sales ledger account. They are to be dealt with separately from the normal trading account as indicated in our terms. If you have a shipment with us and wish to obtain an insurance costing, please contact our operations staff today. Please contact us immediately for a quotation.
**Insurance regulations mean that we cannot arrange insurance on personal effects shipments or on non-commercial movements**
Marine Insurance FAQs
Are my goods of high value and/or a pilferable nature?
If stolen, small high value items like jewellery, DVDs and mobile phones are easily sold on the black market and therefore could be high risk.
Are my goods of high value but of light weight?
Standard freight liability insurance is calculated based on the weight of your shipment. If you have light but high value cargo there could be a gap in insurance cover.
Am I shipping fragile items?
Expensive machinery, solar panels, antiques, items containing glass and other fragile items should be professionally packed for export. Some items may be excluded from your freight forwarder’s general liability insurance, so best always to check.
How well are my goods packed?
Shipping cargo to another country often involves multiple movement and handling of the same shipment. Items that are well packed in wooden crates and well protected are going to be lower risk than small loose double ply cardboard cartons. Customers should consider palletizing loose cargo for shipping and using black shrink-wrapping to conceal high value items.
What is the level of cargo insurance liability provided by a freight forwarder?
The standard CMR liability insurance for shipping European shipments by road is approximately £10 per kilo. This rate does fluctuate and the rates for air and sea freight are different. If you are in any doubt you should ask check with your freight forwarder.
Arrange Marine Transit Insurance for Your Shipments – Contact Us!
Safeguard your cargo with marine transit insurance arranged through our trusted network of specialist insurers. We help businesses secure the right level of cover to protect their goods against loss or damage while in transit. Whether you’re shipping high-value items or bulk consignments, we’ll guide you through the process to ensure peace of mind. Get in touch today for expert advice and a competitive quote!
