If a vehicle is damaged during shipping, the financial loss is covered by the marine cargo insurance that is included in your CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) agreement.
While damage during transit is rare due to professional loading and securing procedures, it’s crucial to understand the process for managing a claim. Protecting your investment is a shared priority, and the right insurance and documentation make all the difference. The entire claims process hinges on one critical moment: the vehicle's arrival at your destination port.
How Insurance Protects Your Shipment
When you import a vehicle from China, the shipping terms dictate who is responsible for insuring the cargo. At Starvia Automotive, we provide Transparent CIF and FOB Pricing, with most international buyers choosing CIF. The "I" in CIF stands for Insurance, meaning we arrange for the vehicle to be insured from the port of loading in China to your destination port. This policy is designed to cover significant damage or total loss that may occur while the vehicle is at sea. At Starvia Automotive, we provide Transparent CIF and FOB Pricing, with most international buyers choosing CIF. The "I" in CIF stands for Insurance, meaning we arrange for the vehicle to be insured from the port of loading in China to your destination port. This policy is designed to cover significant damage or total loss that may occur while the vehicle is at sea.
What to Do if You Discover Damage
Successfully filing a claim requires immediate and precise action on your part upon the vehicle’s arrival. Follow these steps carefully before you take final delivery of the car:
Thoroughly Inspect the Vehicle at the Port. This is the most important step. Before signing any final release paperwork from the shipping line or port authority, conduct a detailed visual inspection of the vehicle. Look for dents, deep scratches, broken glass, or any other damage that was not present in the pre-shipment inspection photos.
Document Everything Immediately. If you find any damage, take clear, well-lit photographs and videos from multiple angles. Note every single issue on the delivery receipt or bill of lading before you sign it. This official notation is called a "clause" or "remark" and serves as primary evidence that the damage occurred before you took possession.
Contact Starvia Automotive and the Insurer. Notify us immediately about the damage. We will guide you and help provide the necessary export documents, such as the commercial invoice and original bill of lading, required for the claim. You must also formally notify the insurance company listed on your insurance certificate, adhering to their specific deadline for reporting a claim.
File the Formal Claim. Submit all documented evidence to the insurance company. This typically includes the claused bill of lading, the port’s survey report, your photos, the commercial invoice, and the insurance policy. The insurer will then assess the claim to arrange for repairs or compensation according to the policy terms.
By following this process diligently, you ensure that you are fully protected by the marine insurance policy included in your shipment.