Freight insurance and carrier liability are not the same thing — and confusing them is one of the most expensive mistakes shippers make.
Under the Carmack Amendment, carriers are liable for actual loss or damage — but they can limit liability through their tariff, often to $0.10–$2.00 per pound. On a 500-lb shipment of electronics worth $50,000, that's $50–$1,000 in carrier liability. Cargo insurance covers the actual value of the freight.
All-risk policies cover loss or damage from any external cause. Named peril policies cover only specific listed events. Full value replacement pays invoice value. Know what your policy covers before a claim — not after.
Step 1: Document damage at delivery — photos, written exceptions on the POD, retain all packaging. Step 2: Notify your insurance carrier within the policy's reporting window (typically 24–72 hours for visible damage). Step 3: Submit a written claim with photos, POD with exceptions, original invoice, and repair estimate or replacement cost.
IZY Logistics maintains records of every load — BOL, rate confirmation, POD, carrier insurance certificate. We provide all documentation needed for claims and advocate directly with carriers on your behalf.
IZY Logistics is a licensed freight broker (MC #1615290) serving shippers across the United States. Get a competitive quote in under 30 seconds.
Get a Free Quote →Start by gathering your shipment details — origin, destination, weight, and timeline — since that determines the right approach to file freight insurance claim.
Timelines vary by shipment, but most of the process can move quickly once the necessary details and documentation are in hand.
Not always required, but a broker like IZY Logistics can simplify the process of file freight insurance claim by handling carrier coordination and paperwork.
The most common mistakes are missing documentation, unclear weight or dimension details, and not confirming carrier requirements ahead of pickup.
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