Goods move through a long chain, shipper, carrier, port, insurer, and when cargo is lost or damaged, the dispute over who pays can be complex. Coverage, liability limits and the cause of loss are frequently contested.
A shipping insurance expert witness provides independent opinion on cargo coverage, carrier liability and the practices of the shipping and insurance markets.
What is a shipping insurance expert witness?
A shipping insurance expert is a specialist in marine cargo insurance and transport who can opine on policy coverage, carrier and freight-forwarder liability, and the cause and extent of loss or damage in transit.
When you need one
- Cargo lost or damaged in transit
- Coverage disputes under marine cargo policies
- Carrier and freight-forwarder liability questions
- Packaging, stowage and handling failures
- Subrogation and recovery between insurers and carriers
What they do
- Review the policy, bill of lading and survey reports
- Determine the likely cause and point of loss or damage
- Interpret coverage and applicable liability limits
- Explain shipping and cargo-insurance market practice
- Report and give evidence on coverage and causation
Choosing the right expert
Look for hands-on experience in cargo claims and a clear understanding of the documents, policies, bills of lading and survey reports, that decide these matters, along with the independence every expert must bring.
How Experts Edge helps
Experts Edge connects litigation teams with cargo and shipping-insurance experts, with availability and conflicts surfaced before any introduction.