Additional Coverages
Do I Need Additional Coverage?
Standard cargo policies and supplier-provided CIF coverage often stop short—literally at the port of destination. WSSA’s program has additional coverages that fill any potential gaps in your protection plan due to terms of sale. You can choose additional coverage so your shipment is protected when shipping with difference in conditions, if duty and excise tax obligations need coverage, if domestic legs (foreign or U.S.) need protection on a stand-alone basis, and if the insured wants specific coverage for the container itself.
Difference in Conditions
What it is
Difference in Conditions (DIC) refers to insurance covering gaps in standard policies. WSSA’s DIC coverage steps in when the primary coverage fails to protect the full value of the goods. If you are a US importer and your terms of sale are CIF, your products are typically insured by the supplier from their warehouse to a U.S. port. This insurance expires at the port of entry. WSSA’s DIC coverage continues protection from the U.S. port to your warehouse door—picking up exactly where your supplier’s policy leaves off.
When to use it
- When your terms of sale indicate another party is responsible for insurance, you may want to consider WSSA’s DIC coverage to fill any gaps in the other party’s coverage.
- You want a single point of contact for claims occurring after port discharge.
- You want peace of mind that your goods are fully covered no matter the terms of sale.
Duty, Tax and Foreign Excise Tax Coverage
What it is
While coverage for duty and taxes is sometimes included in international transit insurance, some policies exclude duty. WSSA’s program includes coverage for duty, tax and foreign excise tax coverage. This coverage enables the insured to be reimbursed for all of their expenses.
When to use it
- When the insured prefers not to file for duty/tax reimbursement with the TTB directly.
- You need to protect cash flow if a partial or total loss triggers duty obligations.
Domestic & Foreign Inland Coverage
What it is
If you need stand-alone domestic or foreign transit coverage, we can provide it on a worldwide basis. Whether you need to insure a shipment within one country or only the domestic portion of an international move, we’ve got you covered.
Common uses
- Port drayage and last-mile delivery in the U.S. or abroad
- Warehouse-to-DC, LTL/FTL, rail, or air/parcel legs
- One-off moves or scheduled programs
Container Coverage
What it is
Shipping container coverage protects the container itself covering risks like bulging, holes, accidents and mishandling.
Common uses
- When shipping product in a flexibag that might cause bulging
- When the insured is concerned about container integrity
- When the insured wants to have zero liability
FAQs
Yes—use the DIC Coverage to cover drayage, intermodal, and final delivery.
Yes. Duty & Tax Coverage is designed to handle duty obligations on your behalf after a covered loss.
Sometimes, but not always. Many policies exclude or limit duty, which is why a dedicated layer can be important.
Yes. We provide domestic-only transit coverage on a worldwide basis.
When the steamship line holds the insured responsible for damage to the container itself.