Free shipping planning tool
Marine Cargo Insurance Calculator
Estimate the insurance premium and insured value for an international shipment using your cargo value, freight cost and an adjustable insurance rate.
How to Use the Cargo Insurance Calculator
The calculator is designed for an early shipping budget. A final insurance quotation still requires shipment and cargo details.
Enter the shipment value
Use the commercial invoice value and freight cost, or select CIF if that value is already available.
Confirm the rate
Replace the illustrative rate with the percentage supplied by your insurer, broker or freight forwarder.
Review the estimate
Use the premium and insured value for planning, then confirm coverage before the shipment departs.
Marine Cargo Insurance Formula
A common planning method applies the insurance rate to the shipment value plus a coverage addition, often 10%. When CIF is not yet known, cargo value plus freight is used as the working value basis.
The calculator keeps the rate editable because the final percentage may change according to commodity, transport mode, route, packing quality, claims history and policy conditions.
Example estimate
- Cargo value
- US$10,000
- Freight cost
- US$800
- Coverage addition
- 10%
- Insurance rate
- 0.10%
- Insured value
- US$11,880
- Estimated premium
- US$11.88
What Can Change the Final Insurance Premium?
A percentage estimate is useful for budgeting, but it cannot replace underwriting or the terms shown on an insurance certificate.
Cargo type and value
Fragile, theft-sensitive, hazardous, used or temperature-controlled goods may need different terms or rates.
Route and transport mode
Sea, air, rail and courier shipments have different handling risks, transit points and policy conditions.
Packaging and shipment method
Export packing, palletization, container loading and whether cargo moves as FCL or LCL can affect acceptance.
Coverage, deductible and minimum premium
Broader coverage, lower deductibles and provider minimums can increase the amount actually charged.
Understand the Rate Behind the Result
For rate ranges, CIF and FOB formulas, coverage options, exclusions, and worked shipment examples, read our guide: How Much Does Marine Cargo Insurance Cost?
Frequently Asked Questions
What value should I enter in the calculator?
If you have a commercial invoice and freight quotation, choose “Goods value + freight.” If your documents already state the CIF value, choose the CIF option and enter that amount.
What insurance rate should I use?
Use the rate quoted by your insurer, broker or freight forwarder. The default 0.10% reflects a recent freight-forwarder quotation received by SourcingXpro and is provided for planning only, not as a guaranteed rate.
Why does the calculator add 10%?
The additional percentage is commonly used to cover expenses related to a loss, but the exact insured amount must follow the policy or insurance certificate.
Does this calculator issue cargo insurance?
No. It provides a planning estimate only. Insurance is in place only after a provider confirms the coverage and issues the appropriate policy or certificate.
Can I use it for air freight and courier shipments?
Yes, you can use it for an early estimate. The final rate and coverage conditions may differ by transport mode, cargo type and route.
Need a Shipping and Insurance Review?
Send us the cargo description, invoice value, packing details, origin and destination. We will help you review the shipping plan and confirm the insurance information required.