MARINE / AIR CARGO

When you find or suspect there is damage to your cargo : 
Do not issue a clean receipt to the forwarder or carrier. 

For cargo exportation : 
Ask the survey agent to carry out detail examination / inspection to the cargo. Send the survey report to the insurer then. 

For cargo importation : 
When cargo arrives at port of discharge with damage, inform the insurer at once which will then appoint a surveyor to inspect the damaged cargo. 

Normally, the designated surveyor is named in the policy. However, no nominate surveyor is revealed in some policy, then a well experienced surveying agent can be appointed at the first possible chance to conduct an inspect for file claims against the carrier or any concerned parties within a specified / reasonable period of time after discharge of the goods from the vessel / air craft.

After the cargo inspection, the surveying agent will issue a Survey Report / Certificate of Survey, accompanied usually by the report of findings to the consignee. 
The consignee may be required to pay a surveyor's fee, which could be refunded from the insurer or claim agent if the loss is recoverable under the policy.

Documents For Processing A Claim

When applying an insurance claim, the claimant ( The insured ) is usually required to submit the following documents:
 

Certificate of Survey ( Survey report ) 

It shows the cause, value and extent of the loss or damage. It is issued by the marine surveyor who appointed by the P & I club / carrier / forwarding agent / insurer / claim agent / cargo owner / consignee, etc.

Original insurance policy or insurance certificate

A valid insurance policy proves that the claimant has the insurable interest. It helps the insurer or claim agent to establish that the cargo in question is the subject matter insured and to check the amount and risks covered.

Original Bill of Lading or other transport documents 

It evidences the contract of carriage where the insurer or claim agent may take action against after paying the claimant. It helps the insurer or claim agent to determine that the claim is not based on any exclusions marked on a bill of lading.

Commercial invoice 

The commercial invoice helps the insurer or claim agent to determine the exact amount they have to pay in a partial loss claim case. It may also prove that the cargo in question is the subject matter insured.

Master's protest 

A written declaration by the ship's master giving details of disaster, accident or injury at sea. This document is particularly important when a general average claim is involved.

Packing list 

It determines where the loss / damage to consignment is occurred. It may also point to the cause of damage that excluded in the coverage, for example unsuitable packing.

The landing account or weight notes at destination 

It helps the insurer or claim agent to identify where the loss or damage may have actually occurred. The records from the carrier or stevedoring contractor at destination may pinpoint that the loss or damage has happened on the vessel, in the container, during unloading, or while in the dock warehouse.  Any correspondence with the carrier or any other party who could be responsible for the loss or damage ~ It helps the insurer or claim agent to verify that the Insure Clause is not violated.

Claim Note 

A summary of pecuniary loss in an insurance claim. It contains all breakdowns of claimant's expenditures / loss in the case for speeding up the handling of recovery as well as concerned settlements.