Multimodal Transport Operator (MTO) Insurance

The Multimodal Transportation of Goods Act, 1993 established a legal responsibility on the multimodal transport operators (MTOs), licensed operators, liable for any loss or damage to the goods entrusted to them for transportation.

MTO Insurance is designed to protect freight forwarders and transportation operators from legal liabilities arising by virtue of their operations. All marine and cargo liabilities for the below list are covered under such a policy:

• Freight Forwarders
• MTOs
• Haulers
• Ship Agents
• Clearing and Forwarding Agents
• Custom House Agents
• Packing & Consolidating Agents

An MTO insurance policy also covers for in transit warehousing.

• Legal requirements: a multimodal transport operator insurance helps the MTO operators and the enterprises in getting the license by meeting the legal requirements as per section (3) of Multimodal Transportation of Goods Act,1993.
• Compliances requirement: a lot of customers treat MTO insurance as a compliance requirement before assigning the contract to the freight forwarder or operator. So, it becomes more important to have a multimodal transport operator insurance policy.
• Protect your capital: such a policy protects freight forwarders and operators against legal liabilities arising due to loss or damage to goods that they transport. Such a claim, if filed, can bring about huge financial loss. Hence, it is advisable to have an MTO insurance bought in time.

Below are the possible benefits of an MTO Insurance Policy:

Cargo Liability Cover

• An MTO policy is designed to cover all the losses resulting due to physical damage or loss to the transported cargo and due to delay in delivery of shipment.
• MTO insurance provides coverage against consequential losses directly arising from the above-mentioned condition.
• It also offers protection against losses arising from cargo's contribution to general average and salvage.

Regulatory Breach Cover

• Multimodal transport operator insurance indemnifies the insured in respect of its legal liability to any claim arising from an unintentional breach of any regulation, legal or statutory provision.
• This policy also compensates for the penalties imposed by a duly constituted court, tribunal or government authority.
• Any breach directly related to import or export of cargo or immigration is also covered by the MTO policy.

Third party liability Cover

• This protects the insured for claims related to third party liability arising from an accident causing third party bodily injury or damage to someone's property.
• An MTO policy covers those liabilities that an insured may incur while directly performing its insured services.
• Such a policy also covers third party consequential losses directly arising from above mentioned condition

A Multimodal Transport Operator Insurance Policy could cover legal liabilities arising out of:

• Physical loss or damage to cargo while in care, custody and control of the insured, or a party who has contracted or subcontracted to provide transport services
• Consequential losses
• Unrecoverable cargo's contribution to general average
• Errors and Omissions
• Fines & Duties
• Third Party Liability

Note: This is an indicative list only. Your policy copy will have the details of all the coverages under the MTO insurance policy.

Documents required would to claim for a multimodal transport liability insurance include:

• Copy of billing lading
• Survey reports
• Original invoice
• Packing list together with shipping specification or weight notes
• Copies of correspondence exchanged with the carriers or bailees
• Claim bills

In case of any other additional requirements raised by the insurer then those documents have to be submitted as soon as possible for a faster claim processing.

The first step in the claim process for an MTO policy is intimating the insurer about the damage or loss. With us it is easy. You can just intimate us by writing on support@securenow.in along with the basic details of the claim. SecureNow’s claims team will reach out to you and ask for further documentation, if needed, in the process. You will have to submit the mentioned documents along with the duly signed claim form. We will share the documents with the insurer. After the claim is scrutinized and approved, it will be settled. SecureNow will coordinate in this whole claim process and will update you for any status change. You can trust us for your insurance!