For tile shipments, most importers take marine cargo insurance on Institute Cargo Clauses (A), the widest standard cover, and confirm in writing that breakage is included. Narrower cover on Clauses (B) or (C) protects mainly against major accidents and usually leaves breakage uninsured.
Tiles are heavy and brittle, so breakage is the loss you are most likely to face. Insurance that does not cover it protects you only against rare events such as a ship fire or a container lost overboard.
The three standard covers
- Institute Cargo Clauses (C) cover major casualties such as fire, explosion, the vessel sinking or stranding, collision, and general average.
- Institute Cargo Clauses (B) add some further risks, such as earthquake, washing overboard, and sea or river water entering the container.
- Institute Cargo Clauses (A) cover all risks of loss or damage, apart from the listed exclusions.
Which cover includes breakage
Only Clauses (A) normally pick up accidental breakage from handling, crane lifts and movement at sea. Even then, breakage should be named in the policy or confirmed by the insurer, because some policies limit it for fragile goods.
What is excluded even under (A)
Every cargo policy has exclusions. The ones that matter for tiles are these:
- Loss caused by insufficient or unsuitable packing or stowage, where the insured or its agents were responsible.
- Ordinary wear and tear, ordinary leakage and inherent vice of the goods.
- Loss caused by delay, even if the delay was caused by an insured risk.
- War and strikes, unless you add the separate war and strikes clauses.
Why packing affects your cover
The packing exclusion is the one that catches tile importers. If the insurer can show the boxes, pallets or bracing were not fit for a sea voyage, it may refuse the claim. Good export packing and a documented loading plan are therefore part of your insurance. See standard vs export packing for tiles and how to prevent tile breakage in a container.
Some policies also apply an excess or a minimum breakage threshold for fragile goods. Ask how it works and whether it applies per container or per shipment.
Who arranges it
Under Incoterms 2020, CIF obliges the seller to insure only to the minimum level, Clauses (C) or similar, for 110% of the contract value. CIP requires Clauses (A). On FOB, CFR and similar terms, the seller has no duty to insure the sea leg, so you arrange it.
If you buy CIF and want breakage cover, either ask the factory to buy Clauses (A) and name it in the contract, or take your own policy. Many regular importers hold an annual open cover policy with a local insurer, so every shipment is covered from the moment risk passes to them. FOB, CIF or DAP explains when risk passes under each term.
War and strikes cover matters more in 2026 than in most years, given conflict around the Red Sea and the Gulf. Ask your insurer what it covers on your route and whether any area is excluded.
Next step
We document packing and loading with photos and records, which is the evidence an insurer will ask for after a loss. To plan cover and packing together for your first order, book a free sourcing review.