Elements of cover

Liability may arise from a number of circumstances, which primarily would include liability under published conditions of carriage or trading in the case of the freight forwarder, under a specially agreed contract, under the CMR Convention, or under common law. All these circumstances can be covered by our Policy.

In addition it is also possible to extend the policy to cover material loss on an all risks basis. This extension affords cover against physical loss or damage to the goods on an all risks basis subject to specific exclusions.

Extent of Operations Insured

Our cover commences from the time the carrier/haulier takes over the goods and continues until such time as delivery is completed. The coverage includes loading, unloading and temporary storage in the course of transit.

UK Statutes operating in connection with the carriage of goods

• Carriage of Goods by Road Act 1965 which applies the CMR Convention to the international carriage of goods by road.
• The Carriage of Goods by Air Act 1961 which applies the amended Warsaw Convention as revised by a number of protocols to the international carriage of goods by air.
• The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1971 which applies the Hague Visby Rules to the international carriage of goods by sea under a Bill of Lading.
• The International Transport Conventions Act 1983 which applies the COTIF Convention to the international carriage of goods by rail.

Outside the scope of these International Conventions contingent liabilities at common law and under statute may, to an extent, be regulated by standard trading conditions of carriage. All carriers should ensure these are incorporated into every contract of carriage; although it must be remembered that the International Conventions, having the force of law, will displace those trading conditions which conflict with them.

Most widely used Standard UK Trading Conditions

RHA Road Haulage Association which applies to the carriage of goods by road.

BIFA British International Freight Association applies to the freight forwarding industry.

UKWA United Kingdom Warehousing Association applying to the storage of goods by warehousekeepers.

Other International Conventions

CMR Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road.

CIM International Convention concerning the Transport of Goods by Rail.

See also our pages on standard policy, goods in transit and own goods in transit.