Air & Sea Insurance will act as an liaison between the assured and the insurance company, making sure that the claims process is underway, that all parties are corresponding and performing their duties in a timely manner. Also where applicable, we will forward any documentation or requests between the assured, the insurance company's and their surveyors, investigators or adjusters.

Important instructions in the event of a cargo loss

1. When you become aware of an incident that may lead to a loss, you must immediately act as follows:

   1. For a crime related incident, contact the local police authority, file a report and initiate a police investigation.

   2. For all losses, contact Air & Sea Insurance Corp. to advise of the occurrence, describe the nature of the loss, time, location, estimated value, and provide contact names, addresses, and phone numbers.

2. Do not accept any "Clean" delivery receipts when goods, packages, containers or seals that arrive in damaged or partial condition, or if the container, seal or package numbers do not match your documentation. Make written detailed comments of your finding on such receipts with a date, time and signature, and write to the deliverer's office.

3. Do not release containers, discard packaging or seals, unpack goods, or forward undamaged cargo without the insurance company's approval. Take pictures of seals, containers, damaged goods etc.

4. You must be able to demonstrate probable cause of loss to have a valid claim settled. Do not dispose of any evidence.

5. Take immediate steps to minimize any further loss to any remaining undamaged cargo. You may not be insured for any cargo that has been spoiled due to your abandonment or neglect.

6. For all losses, send a written correspondence on your letterhead to all carriers, authorities and bailees that handled your cargo. Refer to the specific shipment, describe what happened, and "hold all companies and/or their agents fully responsible for loss or damage until investigations determine otherwise". Doing this is a condition of your insurance, because it preserves the insurance company's right to subrogate against third parties at a later date.

7.  Have the following documents available:

   1. Original bills or lading, waybill or other contracts of carriage.

   2. Original insurance certificate or in the case of an open cargo policy, the shipment report/declaration.

   3. Original shippers invoice and packing list.

   4. Copy of delivery receipt and/or carriers inspection report.

   5. Copies of correspondence sent to all carriers, authorities and bailees, and their replies.

   6. Where applicable, copy of police report and witness statement.

   7. If applicable, copy of lab report, survey, inspection, salvage or disposal documents.

   8. Any other document that your insurer may request.

8. Be available for meetings with surveyor, adjustor or investigator. Provide as much co-operation and details as you can to help them do the most effective job in reporting their findings to your insurer.

If you have questions regarding claim procedures, loss prevention, inspections, surveys or other related issues, our staff is available for your convenience.