Damage discovered → claim intimated to insurer → insurer's surveyor scheduled → surveyor arrives days later → evidence has degraded → survey report reflects current, not original, condition.

Damage discovered → your surveyor activated within 2 hours → original condition photographed and documented → insurer's surveyor still arrives, but now there's a parallel, time-stamped independent record.

A relatively modest, predictable cost — often built into an Open Policy advisory relationship rather than charged per incident.

Without an early independent record, a disputed cause-of-damage finding can mean a significantly reduced — or fully rejected — settlement on the entire shipment value.

A well-documented, independently-verified claim protects your reputation with your buyer — particularly important for CIF shipments where the buyer is watching how the claim is resolved.

Our 40+ port surveyor network means an independent surveyor can reach your damaged cargo within 2 hours of notification — capturing original condition before it changes.

An independent survey through CargoCover does not replace or interfere with the insurer's own surveyor process — it creates a parallel, time-stamped record that supports a fair outcome for both sides.

Every surveyor in our network operates under the same IRDAI regulatory framework as insurer-appointed surveyors — independence does not mean reduced professional standards.

For exporters with an Open Policy structured through CargoCover, independent surveyor access is part of the ongoing advisory relationship — not a separate negotiation at the moment of crisis.

Beyond the survey itself, our desk guides exporters on what to photograph, preserve, and document immediately upon discovering damage — before any surveyor even arrives.

Because policies are underwritten by ICICI Lombard, the insurer's own surveyor process is itself backed by one of India's strongest general insurers — the independent survey complements, rather than fights, a well-resourced claims system.

Even before any surveyor arrives, the cargo owner or their representative should photograph damage, preserve packaging, and avoid moving or repacking goods. Many exporters wait passively, losing the earliest and most valuable evidence window.

Response times depend on the insurer's internal claims process and surveyor network density in your region. At congested ports, delays of several days are not uncommon — by which point cargo conditions may have changed.

Damaged cargo should generally be preserved in its post-damage condition until released by the surveyor — premature disposal or repair can be interpreted as destroying evidence, weakening the claim.

A survey report is an expert opinion, not a binding legal judgment. Exporters with their own independent record have a stronger basis to query or formally dispute findings they believe are incomplete.

In the critical first hours after discovering damage, many exporters lose time figuring out who to contact. Having a pre-established surveyor relationship — like CargoCover's 2-hour activation commitment — removes this delay entirely.

A: Yes — this is a standard and accepted practice in marine cargo claims, particularly for significant losses. Having both an insurer-appointed and an independent survey is not unusual or adversarial; it simply ensures both perspectives are documented.

A: No — an independent survey runs alongside the standard claims process, not instead of it. You still notify the insurer and follow their required claims procedure; the independent survey simply adds an earlier, parallel record.

A: Disagreements are typically resolved through discussion between the insurer, the surveyors, and the claimant — often referencing photographic evidence, timestamps, and documented chain of custody. This is precisely why early, well-documented independent evidence matters most.

A: For exporters with an Open Policy structured through CargoCover, surveyor access is part of the standing relationship — you simply notify us when damage occurs, and activation begins immediately rather than requiring a new arrangement each time.

A: While the financial stakes are higher on large claims, even moderate-value shipments benefit from early, well-documented evidence — disputes over relatively small claims are common precisely because both sides may invest less effort in resolving them carefully.

A single call activates our surveyor network — no separate negotiation, no delay figuring out who to contact.

Independent surveyor access across all major Indian export gateways — wherever your cargo moves.

Independent survey complements the insurer's process — it does not replace your obligations under your policy's claims procedure.

Your policy is underwritten by ICICI Lombard — a strong claims-paying insurer working alongside a strong independent evidence record.

Backed by ICICI Lombard's claim-settlement track record — one of the highest claim settlement ratios among Indian general insurers for marine cargo.