The following is a general description of the features and benefits typically available to policyholders. It is not intended to be a complete summary of the policy cover available as such cover will vary between Insurers.
With each quotation provided by Aldium a Key Facts Summary of Cover will be supplied for the particular Insurer recommended.
Cover is for the policyholder’s legal liability usually under their own or their principal’s standard terms of contract with their customers for physical loss or damage to goods being carried in transit by the policyholder, such terms of contract having been approved by the Insurer.
Claims are, therefore, usually settled on the basis of an amount per tonne which often leaves a shortfall against the real value. “All Risks” cover can be obtained at additional cost to overcome this.
Cover can also be based on the policyholder’s legal liability for loss or damage to goods under the contract conditions of the Road Haulage Association or common law.
Transit usually means:
- transit in any vehicle owned by the policyholder or for which the policyholder is responsible including the loading and/or unloading of the consignment onto or from vehicles,
- whilst in temporary secure storage overnight,
- within the United Kingdom,
- in connection with the business of the policyholder.
What is not covered
- the first amount of any loss as stipulated in the policy (the “excess”)
- alcoholic spirits
- wines
- processed tobacco products
- domestic audio/visual equipment
- electrical brown goods
- computer equipment
- mobile phones
- non-ferrous metals
- precious stones or metals, watches, furs or jewellery
- works of art
- money or securities
- living creatures
- dangerous drugs
- deterioration of property in frozen, chilled or insulated condition
- loss by defective or inadequate packaging
- loss by incorrect/insufficient addressing
- wear and tear
- latent defect
- inherent vice
- moths, insects, vermin, climatic conditions, damp, mildew or rust
- loss in weight, evaporation, taint, leakage or spillage
- pollution or contamination
- electrical or mechanical breakdown
- damage to property which has been delivered but has not been signed for
- theft/attempted theft from an unattended vehicle without signs of forced entry
- theft/attempted theft from an unattended vehicle overnight unless the vehicle is properly secured and garaged/protected.
- loss by delay
- disappearance or shortage
- dangerous goods
- any consequential loss
The above is not a complete list of all policy exclusions and neither do all Insurers impose all of the above. It is intended to be representative of the most significant exclusions which usually appear.
You should also read the General Exclusions section of the relevant policy.
Additional cover
- Damage to sheets, trailer curtains, ropes, chains, webbing straps, packing materials, toggles, trolleys and scanners belonging to the policyholder. Usually limited to £2,500.
- Drivers personal effects but excluding clothing, cash, credit cards, precious stones, precious metals, jewellery, watches, cameras and mobile phones.
- Extra expenses for the removal of debris, transhipment and recovery of goods following an incident in respect of the carrying vehicle.
- Legal costs and expenses incurred in connection with any claim.
General Exclusions
Accident, injury, loss, damage or liability from the following are generally excluded:
- War, invasion, revolution or similar event
- Earthquake
- Ionising radiations or radioactive contamination
- Pollution or contamination
- Terrorism
- Pressure waves from aircraft or other aerial devices travelling at sonic or supersonic speeds
The above is not a full list of all general Exclusions which might be found.