Carrier/Broker Cargo Liability

Apr 19, 2025 at 08:51 AM CST + 2
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Hello to everyone. I’m just looking for a little feed back. I recently had a cargo claim that exceeds my cargo coverage of $150,000. I deal with this particular broker and the company that owns the piece of equipment that was damaged on a very regular basis. I have always been asked to up my coverage any time I have hauled anything for them that exceeds my coverage in the past, just my luck the one one time I didn’t raise my coverage something happens. Any way I was just curious if anyone could give me a little info. In my opinion the rest of the coverage should fall on the broker. Thanks and have a great day.

Replied on Mon, Jun 02, 2025 at 08:05 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Don't really understand how the broker would be liable, seems like it would be the name of the guy and MC number on the door. I've paid for plenty of education over the years. At least that's how I'd chalk it up.

Replied on Mon, Jun 02, 2025 at 08:05 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I always carry an extra liability umbrella policy for just such an occasion.

Replied on Mon, Jun 02, 2025 at 08:05 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I wrote out this whole thing about my best guess opinion on this, but here's the reality for you. This is probably a potentially very expensive situation. This forum is probably not the place for this conversation for two reasons. 1. 99% of us dont' really know, just going to be like me and give you a best guess. 2. If this thing goes to court, you don't need to be talking about it in public. Bite the bullet and get an attorney's opinoin on how to naigate this, and probably delete this post.

Replied on Mon, Jun 02, 2025 at 08:05 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

I wrote out this whole thing about my best guess opinion on this, but here's the reality for you. This is probably a potentially very expensive situation.

This forum is probably not the place for this conversation for two reasons.

1. 99% of us dont' really know, just going to be like me and give you a best guess.

2. If this thing goes to court, you don't need to be talking about it in public.

Bite the bullet and get an attorney's opinoin on how to naigate this, and probably delete this post.

Replied on Mon, Jun 02, 2025 at 08:26 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Youre not (legally) supposed to be hauling cargo where the value exceeds your cargo insurance (obviously). If the broker didnt advise you that it had high cargo value, then that should be on broker and possibly even shipper if shipper didnt advise broker. However, if you were aware of the high value, then that is on you as well as the broker. You shouldnt be hauling it, and they shouldnt be allowing you to. All brokers have access to the info on your Cargo Liability insurance. You can get One -Time Insurance Coverage from many providers to cover a particular shipment in the Dry Van/Reefer/Flatbed world---i have never needed to do it for a bulk, but I would imagine the same idea would apply somehow

Replied on Mon, Jun 02, 2025 at 08:26 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Youre not (legally) supposed to be hauling cargo where the value exceeds your cargo insurance (obviously). If the broker didnt advise you that it had high cargo value, then that should be on broker and possibly even shipper if shipper didnt advise broker.

However, if you were aware of the high value, then that is on you as well as the broker. You shouldnt be hauling it, and they shouldnt be allowing you to.

All brokers have access to the info on your Cargo Liability insurance.

You can get One -Time Insurance Coverage from many providers to cover a particular shipment in the Dry Van/Reefer/Flatbed world---i have never needed to do it for a bulk, but I would imagine the same idea would apply somehow

Replied on Mon, Jun 02, 2025 at 11:08 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. It's always a good idea to have more cargo insurance than YOU think you need, because good luck getting an insurance company to pay everything that is owed.