Commercial Insurance
Ocean Marine & Cargo Insurance
Businesses that import, export, or ship goods internationally face transit risks that standard commercial property policies don't cover. Ocean marine and cargo insurance protects your goods from the point of origin through delivery.
Who This Coverage Is For
Ocean marine and cargo insurance is relevant for businesses involved in international trade and shipping — importers bringing goods into the United States, exporters shipping products to international markets, manufacturers sourcing raw materials or components from overseas suppliers, distributors and wholesalers managing international supply chains, and logistics and freight forwarding operations. Michigan's manufacturing and automotive supply chain industries have significant international trade exposure, and businesses that rely on overseas suppliers or international customers face cargo transit risks that require specialized marine insurance coverage.
Coverage Options to Consider
Ocean Cargo
Covers goods shipped by ocean vessel against loss or damage during transit — including perils of the sea, fire, theft, and general average contributions. Coverage can typically be structured on an all-risk or named-peril basis depending on the cargo type and trade lane.
Marine Transit Coverage
Extends coverage to goods during the full transit journey — from the seller's warehouse through ocean transit and delivery to the buyer's facility. Warehouse-to-warehouse coverage addresses the gaps that can exist between the seller's and buyer's property policies.
Import and Export Cargo
Covers both incoming and outgoing international shipments, allowing businesses with two-way trade flows to maintain consistent cargo protection across their supply chain.
Cargo Transit Risks
Addresses specific transit perils relevant to the cargo type and trade route — including temperature-sensitive goods, high-value electronics, and cargo moving through higher-risk trade lanes or transshipment ports.
Inland Transit Extension
Extends ocean cargo coverage to the inland portion of the journey — from the port of entry to the final destination — providing seamless protection for the complete supply chain movement.
Why Ocean Marine Coverage Matters
Standard Property Policies Don't Cover Ocean Transit
A commercial property policy covers goods at your business location. Once your cargo is on a vessel in international waters, your standard property coverage typically does not apply. Without ocean cargo insurance, a loss at sea — from storm damage, vessel accident, or theft at a foreign port — falls entirely on the cargo owner.
Supply Chain Disruptions Have Real Financial Consequences
A lost or damaged shipment doesn't just cost the value of the goods — it can disrupt production schedules, delay customer deliveries, and trigger contractual penalties. For businesses that depend on just-in-time supply chains, a single cargo loss can have consequences that far exceed the value of the shipment itself.
General Average and Salvage Costs
In maritime law, general average requires all cargo owners on a vessel to share in the costs of saving the ship and its cargo in an emergency — even if your specific cargo was undamaged. Without ocean cargo insurance, a general average declaration can result in an unexpected financial obligation to contribute to salvage costs before your goods are released.
The Harborstone Approach
At Harborstone, we believe ocean marine and cargo insurance should reflect the actual trade flows, cargo values, and transit routes of your business — not a generic marine policy that may leave gaps in your supply chain coverage. Our goal is to help businesses with international trade exposure evaluate cargo insurance that addresses their real transit risks.
Let's Protect the Business You've Built.
Importing, exporting, or shipping goods internationally? Let's discuss ocean marine and cargo coverage that protects your supply chain from origin to delivery.