Single Transit Marine Insurance
Protect One Important Shipment, Start To Finish
Single transit marine insurance covers one specific consignment for one journey, from the point of dispatch to the named destination. It is the simplest form of cargo cover and suits businesses that ship occasionally, move a one-off project cargo, or need cover for a shipment that falls outside their annual policy. MILES arranges the policy before the goods move, checks that the clauses fit the cargo and route, and supports you if anything goes wrong in transit.
Reviewed by Vinay Jain, Principal Officer (IRDAI Reg. No. 954) · Last reviewed
What Single Transit Cover Offers
One Policy, One Journey
Cover is issued for a named consignment and route, so there is no annual commitment or deposit premium to manage.
Quick To Arrange
With the invoice and transport details ready, a policy can usually be placed before the goods leave your premises.
Sea, Air Or Road
Suitable for export voyages, air freight, inland road movements and multi-modal journeys with a single policy.
Project And Machinery Cargo
Useful for one-off movements of plant, machinery or equipment that need tailored terms and a survey.
Clauses Matched To Cargo
We select wider or narrower clauses based on the goods, packing and route rather than a one-size template.
Help With Claims
If the shipment arrives damaged or short, we guide you on surveys, carrier notices and the claim file.
What is single transit marine insurance?
Single transit marine insurance is a policy that covers one consignment of goods for one defined journey, and it ends when the goods reach the destination named in the policy. It pays for physical loss of or damage to the cargo caused by insured perils during that journey.
Unlike an annual open cover or turnover policy, nothing carries forward. You buy it, the goods move, the cover ends. That makes it the right tool for occasional shippers and for special movements that do not fit an existing annual programme.
When a single transit policy makes sense
- You export or import only a few times a year.
- You are moving a high-value one-off item, such as a machine, generator or production line, that exceeds the per-conveyance limit of your annual policy.
- A buyer or bank asks for a policy specific to one letter of credit.
- You are relocating a plant, office or warehouse and want the move insured.
- You are testing a new market before committing to regular trade.
If you find yourself buying single transit policies every month, an annual marine open cover is usually cheaper and removes the risk of forgetting one. For frequent domestic dispatches, a marine sales turnover policy is often the better fit.
What it covers
Cover follows the clauses written into the policy. For overseas voyages, insurers in India generally use the Institute Cargo Clauses, where clause (A) is the widest and clauses (B) and (C) cover a shorter list of named perils. For road and rail journeys within India, Inland Transit Clauses apply in a similar wider-or-narrower pattern. Common additions include:
- War and strikes, riots and civil commotion clauses for sea and air voyages.
- Theft, pilferage and non-delivery, where the insurer agrees.
- Loading and unloading risks for heavy lifts, which often need specific approval.
- A short storage period at the destination before final delivery.
What is not covered
- Damage caused by weak or inappropriate packing.
- Delay and loss of market, even where an insured peril caused the delay.
- Inherent vice, such as natural deterioration of perishables.
- Mechanical or electrical breakdown of machinery not caused by an external event in transit.
- Shipments that begin before the policy is bought. Cover must be in place before dispatch.
How the sum insured and premium are worked out
The sum insured is usually the invoice value plus freight and, where agreed, a percentage uplift for anticipated profit and incidental costs. The exact uplift depends on the contract and the insurer. Undervaluing a shipment to save premium means any claim is reduced in proportion.
Premium depends on the type of goods, how they are packed, the route and ports, the mode of transport, the vessel or carrier, the clauses chosen and any special handling. Project cargo and heavy machinery may require a pre-shipment survey, and the insurer may attach lashing or handling conditions that must be followed.
How MILES helps
- Fast placement: we approach insurers that write your class of cargo and get terms before your dispatch date.
- Right clauses: we check the clause set, extensions and exclusions against the goods and the route.
- Correct valuation: we confirm that the sum insured reflects invoice, freight and any agreed uplift.
- Special cargo: for machinery and project cargo, we coordinate surveys and conditions early so the shipment is not held up.
- Claim support: we guide your team through the first 48 hours after a loss, when evidence matters most. More on this at our claims page.
What we need for a quote
- Commercial invoice and packing list.
- Origin, destination and any transhipment points.
- Mode of transport and, if known, the vessel, airline or transporter.
- Expected dispatch date and the Incoterm agreed with the buyer or seller.
- Packing details and photographs for high-value or fragile items.
Single transit cover is one of several options under our marine insurance services. We can also review your wider transit risks and suggest whether an annual policy would serve you better.
Cover, exclusions and premiums depend on the insurer’s policy wording and underwriting. MILES Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd. is an IRDAI-licensed direct broker (Life & General, Reg. No. 954); the insurance is issued by the insurer. Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation.