When shipping property or goods, it is important to understand what is covered, what exclusions may apply, and when you need to contact Insurance and Risk Management Services. Depending on how one is shipping property or goods, different OSU insurance policies are in effect. OSU has an ocean cargo insurance policy that provides coverage for ocean/waterborne shipments.

If you are shipping property or goods via water on a vessel or barge, you must register your shipment here:

Ocean Cargo Registration

 

To learn more about the insurance coverage, exclusions, claims under said policy and deductibles, please expand on the information below:

If evidence of insurance is needed for your shipment, please see the Certificates of Insurance webpage.

Insurance Coverage

The policy covers the following property while in transit via water and when in warehouse to its final destination:

  • Owned by the University.
  • Of others in the actual or constructive custody of the University to the extent of the University’s interest or legal liability (there must be a contract in place).

Exclusions

The policy excludes coverage when the physical damage is sustained in some countries and regions, specifically:

  1. Shipments to/from those countries which the U.S. Government forbids trade, and
  2. Shipments to/from the Middle East, Africa, Russia, the C.I.S. and countries which formerly comprised the Soviet Union, and Mexico, and
  3. Shipments made wholly within the same country.

 The policy excludes coverage for the following conditions:

  • Wear and tear, marring, denting, chipping, scratching, bending, twisting, rusting, oxidation, discoloration, mechanical & electrical derangement.

Claims

If physical damage occurs during a shipment/transit, please contact Insurance and Risk Management Services as soon as possible to initiate a claim. It is very important to take pictures of the packaging and the damaged property/goods.  Claims will be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the policy.

Deductible

There is a $1,000 deductible per occurrence, which will be accessed to the unit/department.

Other Insurance Considerations

The limits are $400,000 on any one vessel and $25,000 on any one barge, so if any item being shipped or the total is in excess of these limits, Risk Management would need to let the underwriter know.

 If shipping to a country or region excluded by the policy, please contact Insurance and Risk Management Services to get a quote to add the coverage; any extra cost would be incurred by the department.

 When shipping property that is:

  • Excluded by the University ocean cargo policy as defined above; or
  • Less than $1,000; or
  • When the $1,000 deductible is greater than available funds to use for such a purpose; units/departments are advised to insure the property through a shipping, freight or logistics company.