freight insurance Canada
Freight Insurance for Canadian Importers
All-risk cargo insurance for Canadian importers covering ocean, air, and trucking shipments. Eztrans arranges shipment-specific insurance through trusted underwriters — fast quotes, simple per-shipment cover, and claims support if something goes wrong in transit.
Ocean carrier liability is capped at roughly USD $500 per shipping unit under COGSA — far below the value of almost any commercial cargo. Freight insurance fills that gap. Eztrans arranges all-risk cargo coverage as an add-on to your shipment quote, typically at 0.3–0.6% of declared cargo value. If something goes wrong, you claim against the insurer with our complete shipment documentation — not against the carrier's legal team.
The service
Cargo insurance (also called freight insurance or marine insurance) pays the declared value of your shipment if it is lost, damaged, or stolen in transit. All-risk policies cover most causes of physical loss; named-perils policies cover only specifically listed events. Premium is typically 0.3–0.6% of insured cargo value — a modest cost compared to the exposure of an uninsured total loss.
How Eztrans handles it
Eztrans includes an insurance option at every shipment quote. Declare your cargo value, and we add the premium to the shipping invoice — no separate insurance broker, no additional paperwork. For high-volume importers, we arrange annual open-cover policies that automatically protect every shipment without requiring per-shipment declarations. If a claim arises, we provide the complete shipment file as evidentiary support.
Common challenges
Where coverage gaps leave importers exposed
- Carrier liability under COGSA is capped at approximately USD $500 per container — a $100,000 cargo loss recovers almost nothing without insurance
- Filing a cargo claim against an ocean carrier is a multi-month legal process that often settles at a fraction of the loss
- FOB Incoterms shift risk to the buyer the moment cargo is loaded — importers are exposed from China port to Canadian delivery without knowing it
- Annual insurance policies can have commodity exclusions or sub-limits that leave specific shipments unprotected
Process
How freight insurance works with Eztrans
- 1
Declare value at booking
Tell us your cargo's CIF value when you request a quote. We calculate the premium (typically 0.3–0.6%) and include it as a line item on the shipment invoice — one decision, handled at booking.
- 2
Cover binding
Insurance attaches when the cargo leaves the origin warehouse. You're covered from the moment the supplier hands off the goods — not just from the Canadian port arrival.
- 3
Transit coverage
All-risk coverage follows the cargo through ocean or air transit, customs handling, and inland delivery to the final Canadian destination.
- 4
Discharge inspection
Note any visible damage on the carrier's proof of delivery or port release documents at the time of receipt — this is essential for a valid claim and takes 30 seconds.
- 5
Claim submission (if needed)
Submit photographs, the commercial invoice, packing list, and the damage survey report to the underwriter. We provide the bill of lading, airway bill, and tracking records from our system.
Benefits
What cargo insurance actually protects
- All-risk coverage from origin warehouse to Canadian delivery — not just ocean transit
- Per-shipment coverage with no annual policy commitment — insure when you need it
- Annual open-cover programs for regular importers — every shipment automatically protected
- Claims supported by Eztrans's complete shipment documentation
- 0.3–0.6% premium on declared CIF value — a $50,000 shipment costs $150–$300 to insure
Who this is for
Who should insure their freight
Why Eztrans
Why importers choose Eztrans for this service
A freight-forwarding approach built on China–Canada expertise, integrated execution, and operations-grade communication.
- Insurance arranged at booking — no separate underwriter relationship or application process
- Claims supported by our complete shipment file: bill of lading, tracking records, and customs documentation
- Open-cover programs for regular importers so coverage is automatic, not a per-shipment decision
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers for Canadian importers evaluating freight forwarding, China–Canada shipping, and integrated logistics options.
Isn't my cargo already covered by the ocean carrier?
No, not adequately. Under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA), ocean carrier liability is limited to roughly USD $500 per package or shipping unit — far below the value of most commercial cargo. For meaningful protection, you need separate cargo insurance.
How much does freight insurance cost?
Premium is typically 0.3–0.6% of declared CIF cargo value, depending on commodity type, route, and conditions. For example, a $50,000 cargo value might cost $150–$300 to insure for a single ocean shipment. Eztrans includes the exact quote at booking.
When should I buy freight insurance?
Insurance should be in place before cargo leaves the origin warehouse. Eztrans includes insurance pricing at booking quote so you can decide and bind cover before shipment dispatch. For ongoing programs, an annual open-cover policy auto-covers each shipment.
What is and isn't covered?
All-risk policies cover most physical loss or damage in transit (water, fire, theft, mishandling). Standard exclusions include inherent vice (cargo's own nature), insufficient packaging, and willful misconduct. Eztrans provides policy details before you buy.
Ready to move freight with Eztrans?
Send us your shipment details — origin, destination, commodity, and timing — and our team will quote and outline the next steps within one business day.