Publication date: 31.01.2026
General terms of insurance play a decisive role in ensuring effective protection for transport companies. These terms define when the insurer is obliged to pay compensation and when it may refuse a claim. In practice, many companies hold policies that formally exist but do not provide a real scope of transport insurance coverage, which leads to serious financial losses.
Properly selected transport insurance should reflect actual business operations, transport routes, cargo types, international transport activities and operational risks. That is why a professional analysis of insurance terms is essential for effective risk management.
General Terms of Carriage – What Do They Really Regulate?
The general terms of insurance (GTI) are the core document of an insurance agreement and regulate:
- rights and obligations of the parties,
- insured events and covered risks,
- exclusions of liability,
- rules for compensation payments,
- limitations of coverage.
We help transport companies clearly understand:
- which transport risks are actually covered,
- in which cases the insurer may refuse compensation,
- what obligations apply to the carrier,
- how the claims settlement procedure works.
Transport Insurance – What Should You Pay Attention To?
Transport insurance must be adjusted to the real business profile of the company. Incorrectly selected policies often fail to reflect transport routes, cargo specifics or international operations.
Our legal experts verify whether:
- the scope of transport insurance coverage matches actual operations,
- the policy covers domestic and international transport,
- the carrier’s interests are protected in case of damage or loss of cargo,
- hidden exclusions of liability are present.
Such verification prevents situations where insurance protection fails at a critical moment.
Transport Risks and Carrier Liability
Transport risks include a wide range of potential threats, such as:
- cargo damage,
- partial or total loss of goods,
- delivery delays,
- road accidents,
- unforeseen external events.
Carrier liability often arises directly from transport regulations and contractual obligations. Therefore, it is essential that the scope of transport insurance coverage corresponds to the actual level of carrier liability.
We analyze whether the insurance policy truly protects the carrier against financial consequences resulting from transport operations.
Most Common Liability Exclusions in General Terms of Insurance
In practice, general terms of insurance often contain numerous clauses that significantly limit coverage. The most common exclusions include:
- damage caused by improper cargo securing,
- violations of transport procedures,
- missing or incorrect documentation,
- specific transport routes or categories of goods,
- operational non-compliance.
Professional policy analysis helps identify these risks before losses occur.
Why Is Legal Analysis of General Terms of Insurance So Important?
Independent evaluation of insurance contracts is often difficult due to complex legal terminology and technical clauses. Legal support allows companies to:
- clearly understand the real scope of transport insurance coverage,
- reduce the risk of claim rejection,
- adjust insurance policies to transport operations,
- manage transport risks effectively,
- protect the company against disputes with insurers.
General terms of insurance directly determine the level of protection available to transport companies. Properly selected transport insurance, a clearly defined scope of transport insurance coverage, accurate assessment of transport risks, and alignment with carrier liability are critical for stable business operations. Professional policy analysis helps avoid financial losses and legal complications.
If you manage a transport company and want to verify whether your transport insurance truly provides adequate protection, reviewing the general terms of insurance in advance is essential. This approach helps minimize transport risks, avoid claim refusals, and strengthen your company’s financial stability.
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
Question
Is standard transport insurance sufficient for carriers?
Answer
Not always. Standard policies often provide a limited scope of transport insurance coverage.
Question
What is most often excluded in general terms of insurance?
Answer
Documentation errors, procedural violations and specific cargo categories are commonly excluded.
Question
Does insurance always cover carrier liability?
Answer
No. Carrier liability may exceed the protection provided by the insurance policy.
Question
Why do disputes with insurers occur?
Answer
Most often due to unclear clauses in the general terms of insurance.
Question
How can transport risks be reduced?
Answer
By choosing the right policy, analyzing general terms and conditions of insurance.
