68% of shippers who lose a shipment without insurance never recover more than 10% of its value. Don’t let your business become part of that statistic.
The Truth About “Carrier Liability”
Here’s what most shippers discover too late:
Your carrier is NOT responsible for the full value of your cargo.
Standard carrier liability covers just $0.50 – $1.00 per pound of shipment weight. Do the math: if you’re shipping $50,000 in electronics that weigh 500 pounds, maximum carrier coverage is only $500.
Worse yet: that limited coverage only applies if you can prove the carrier was at fault. And the process can take up to 9 months of documentation, lawyers, and frustration.
Why Cargo Insurance is Different (And Why You Need It)
At GoShip, we process thousands of LTL and FTL shipments every month. And we’ve seen this pattern: businesses that invest in cargo insurance sleep soundly, while those who don’t live with constant risk that can cripple entire operations.
Here’s what real cargo insurance covers:
✅ 100% of your merchandise’s declared value (not pennies per pound)
✅ Damage during loading, unloading, and transit (including warehouse handling)
✅ Theft, total or partial loss of shipment
✅ Natural disasters: storms, floods, collisions
✅ Multiple transport modes: if your cargo goes from truck to ship to plane, you’re covered
What you’re NOT covered for (and nobody tells you):
❌ Normal wear and tear or gradual deterioration
❌ Poor packaging (if you packed it wrong, there’s no coverage)
❌ Delay losses (arrived late and you lost the contract)
❌ Special goods without declaration: cash, precious metals, artwork over $20K, perishables, hazardous materials
When You Must Get Insurance (No Exceptions)
Based on our experience with thousands of shipments, you must insure your cargo if:
1. You’re shipping high-value freight
If your shipment value exceeds $5,000, the carrier’s limited liability doesn’t protect you. Period.
2. Your products are fragile or specialized
Electronics, machinery, glass, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment. If it breaks, your business loses far more than the product cost.
3. Complex or international routes
Every time your cargo changes hands (transshipment, border crossings, multiple carriers), risk multiplies.
4. It’s a one-time or urgent shipment
A special order for a key customer, product launch, equipment for an event. You can’t afford for it to go wrong.
5. You want to resolve problems FAST
With GoShip insurance through Falvey Insurance Group:
- Claims paid in 30 days (vs. 9 months without insurance)
- You don’t have to prove carrier fault
- All paperwork handled by Falvey (zero stress for you)
The GoShip Advantage: Insurance Made Simple
Unlike other providers that make you contract insurance separately or navigate complicated processes, at GoShip we make it easy and transparent:
At checkout:
- Declare your cargo value
- See insurance cost instantly
- Add coverage with one click
- Done. Your shipment goes out protected.
If something goes wrong:
- Report damage/loss directly to Falvey (24/7 portal)
- Attach documentation (photos, BOL, invoice)
- Falvey assigns your case within 24 hours
- Receive your payment in 30 days
No endless calls. No arguments about fault. No months of waiting.
How Much Does It Cost (And Why It’s Worth It)
Insurance cost varies based on:
- Type of merchandise (electronics vs. apparel vs. machinery)
- Weight and declared value
- Route and transport mode
As a general reference: insurance costs 1-3% of cargo value.
Real example:
- Computer equipment shipment: $25,000
- Insurance cost: $250 – $750
- Carrier liability (without insurance): $500
Is it worth paying $500 to protect $25,000? The answer is obvious.
Expert Tips: How to Maximize Your Coverage
After handling thousands of claims, here’s what we recommend:
Before shipping:
- Declare the REAL value of your merchandise (don’t undervalue to save on insurance)
- Pack as if you had no insurance: use pallets, shrink wrap, corner protectors, extra protection
- Take photos of packaging: before it ships, photograph everything
At delivery:
- Inspect BEFORE signing: open boxes with driver present
- Document EVERYTHING: if you see damage, take photos from all angles
- Note on delivery receipt: “Box #3 damaged, crushed corner”
- DON’T discard packaging: keep it until claim is resolved
If there’s damage:
- Act immediately: contact carrier and Falvey same day
- Keep damaged merchandise: in a safe place until inspection
- Submit complete documentation: BOL, POD, invoice, photos, repair estimate
The Question You Need to Ask Yourself
Before deciding whether to get insurance or not, ask yourself this question:
“What happens to my business if I lose this shipment?”
If the answer includes:
- Losing a key customer
- Failing to fulfill a contract
- Delaying production or launch
- Absorbing a loss of thousands of dollars
- Damaging your reputation
Then you need insurance. No discussion.
Protect Your Next Shipment in 3 Minutes
Don’t leave your business exposed to unnecessary risks. With GoShip:
✅ Get a quote with insurance included in seconds
✅ All-risk coverage with Falvey Insurance Group
✅ Claims resolved in 30 days, not 9 months
✅ Zero complicated paperwork