Your goods, door to door.
Coverage for goods you import, export or ship, by ocean, air and truck, from the supplier's dock to your warehouse.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Carriers' liability is limited
Shipping lines, airlines and truckers limit what they'll pay for lost or damaged cargo, often far below its value, and some losses leave the carrier with no liability at all. Cargo insurance covers your goods in transit on their actual value.
Importers and distributors usually buy an annual open cargo policy that covers every shipment under set terms, rather than insuring shipments one at a time. I place cargo coverage with marine cargo markets for businesses moving goods through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and beyond.
- Ocean and airGoods in transit from the supplier.
- Inland transitThe trucking leg to your warehouse.
- Storage in transitGoods held at ports or warehouses along the way.
- General averageYour share when a ship's owner declares general average.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Goods: what you ship and how it's packed.
- Routes: origin and destination countries and ports.
- Volume: annual shipment values and largest single shipment.
- Terms: the Incoterms on your purchase and sales contracts.
- Storage: time goods spend in warehouses or ports.
- History: past cargo losses.
Cargo insurance, answered
Doesn't the shipping company cover lost cargo?
Only to a limited extent. Carriers' liability is capped by law and contract, often well below the value of the goods.
What is an open cargo policy?
An annual policy that automatically covers your shipments under agreed terms, instead of buying coverage for each shipment.
Who should insure the shipment, buyer or seller?
It depends on the Incoterms in your contract, which set when risk passes. I'll review them with you.
What do underwriters rate on?
The goods, packing, routes, shipment values and loss history.
Do you offer cargo insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. California policies are placed directly; outside California the request is handled together with a partner agency in your state, and the shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see truck insurance by state or insurance requirements by state.
Tell me what you ship. I'll shop it.
Your goods, routes and annual shipment values are enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued. Some policies may be placed with nonadmitted (surplus lines) insurers, which are not members of the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA).
Tell me how to reach you. I’ll take it from there.
Takes about 30 seconds. I review every request personally and call you back, usually the same day.
(424) 552-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
Get a reminder before your renewal.
Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.