Cargo Claims & Insurance Advisory on the cargo owner's side
When cargo arrives damaged, the first 72 hours decide most of the claim. We help importers, exporters and traders protect the cargo, record the loss properly and get paid, by their insurer or by the carrier. We are based in Delhi NCR, close to the North India inland container depots.
Lex Dux does not sell or arrange insurance and takes no commission or referral fee from insurers or brokers. We act for the cargo owner.
Most cargo claims are lost on paperwork, not on facts.
A clean receipt signed at the depot. A notice sent a week late. Photographs taken after the container was emptied. Each one weakens a claim against the carrier and slows down the insurer.
This vertical serves importers and exporters, traders and freight forwarders, and the brokers who place their cargo cover. We work on the insured's side of the loss. Claims for ships, owners and their P&I clubs sit in our P&I & Claims practice.
Our Delhi NCR base is close to ICD Tughlakabad, Dadri, Patparganj and Garhi Harsaru. Damage on North India cargo is often found there, at de-stuffing, far from the port of discharge. We can reach these depots quickly. For the major ports, we attend on instruction.
Six scopes, from loading to recovery.
Each one can be taken on its own, for a single shipment or a single loss. Traders with regular shipments can set up a standing arrangement.
Loss prevention before shipment
Stuffing supervision, container condition checks before loading, and a review of packing and lashing. Photographs taken to a standard that still holds up if a claim follows.
Damage survey at the depot or port
Attendance at the ICD, CFS or port when the cargo arrives. A joint survey with the carrier's representative where possible. A written record of the condition, the likely cause and the extent of the damage.
Insurance claim preparation
The claim file your insurer will ask for: survey record, invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, notices and correspondence. Put in order before you submit, so the claim is not held up by missing papers.
Recovery from carriers, depots and terminals
Written notice of loss to the carrier, depot or terminal in time. Tracking of time bars. The technical evidence a recovery depends on, prepared for you, your insurer or your lawyers.
Cover gap review
A practical look at your cargo cover against how you actually ship: cargo type, packing, route and storage. We explain in commercial terms what ICC (A), (B) and (C) cover in practice, and what to ask your broker for. We do not recommend insurers or arrange cover.
General average support
When general average is declared on a vessel carrying your cargo, we help you understand what security the adjusters are asking for, and work with your insurer to get the cargo released.
What to do in the first 72 hours.
- Do not sign a clean receipt. Write the damage on the delivery documents before you take delivery.
- Photograph everything before de-stuffing: the container number, the seal, the doors and the cargo as it sits.
- Keep the damaged cargo and packing. Do not throw anything away until a surveyor has seen it.
- Give written notice to the carrier and the depot. Under the Hague-Visby Rules, where they apply, notice of damage that is not apparent must be given within three days. Check the terms of your bill of lading.
- Tell your insurer or broker straight away, and ask whether they will appoint a surveyor.
- Call us. We can attend, record the damage and help you build the file.
Under the same rules, a claim against the carrier must be brought within one year of delivery. Many good claims are lost to that deadline.
Tell us what happened. We respond within one working day.
For damage found today, call or WhatsApp +91 98714 19797 as well. Send photographs by WhatsApp after you submit this form.
Partner-led, on your side of the loss.
Every engagement is led by a partner who has sailed. We confirm the scope and the fee in writing before we attend.
Where your insurer needs its own licensed surveyor, the insurer appoints one. We attend alongside that surveyor for you, so your side of the loss is properly recorded.
We check for conflicts before every instruction, because we also act for shipowners and their P&I clubs.
Common questions, candidly answered.
Do you sell or arrange cargo insurance?
No. Lex Dux does not sell, arrange or place insurance, and takes no commission or referral fee from insurers or brokers. For new cover, speak to an IRDAI-registered broker or insurer. We can explain what to ask them for.
Can you survey the loss for my insurer?
Indian insurers rely on IRDAI-licensed surveyors for claims above a set amount, so your insurer will usually appoint its own surveyor. We attend for you, alongside that surveyor, and make sure your side of the loss is properly recorded.
Do you handle claims for ships as well?
Yes, through our P&I & Claims practice, for shipowners, managers and their clubs. We check for conflicts before accepting any instruction.
What happens if the claim goes to court or arbitration?
Lex Dux does not provide legal services. Your lawyers take the case. We support them with the survey record, the technical evidence and expert input.
Call before you sign the delivery receipt. It is the cheapest time to protect a claim.
Call or WhatsApp Capt. Pramod Kumar Singh on +91 98714 19797, or report the loss online.