I.Agency export,What is the basic process for purchasing insurance?

The standard process for export insurance under agency can be divided into six key stages:

• Requirements Confirmation Phase: Clarify core elements such as the type of goods, shipping route, and payment terms.
• Scheme formulation stage:
  • Select applicable clauses in accordance with Incoterms? 2025.
  • Assess the political risk level of the buyer's country.
  • Confirm the insurance coverage (e.g., CIC/ICC clauses).
• Document preparation stage: Basic documents such as commercial invoices, packing lists, and transportation contracts are required.
• Policy effective stage: Pay special attention to the alignment between the policy effective date and the cargo shipment time.
• Risk monitoring phase: The agent shall periodically provide reports on changes in the buyer's creditworthiness.
• Claims service stage: Professional agencies can typically reduce the claims processing cycle by more than 50%.

2. What are the new changes in international trade insurance in 2025?

According to the newly released "Guidelines for the Implementation of International Trade Insurance," enterprises should pay special attention to:

• The legal validity of electronic insurance policies has been extended to 87 major trading countries.
• Addition of special coverage clauses for digital service trade
• Preferential measures for premiums in cross-border RMB settlement business
• Upgrade of the Political Risk Early Warning Mechanism for Emerging Market Countries

III. What key indicators should be considered when selecting an insurance agency?

The evaluation dimensions of high-quality agencies should include:

• Certification of Qualification: Must hold an international freight forwarding qualification issued by the Ministry of Commerce.
• Underwriting capacity: The maximum insured amount per single policy should reach 150% of the enterprise's average annual transaction volume.
• Service networks: Branches or cooperative law firms are established in major trading countries.
• Claim settlement time limit: The average claim settlement period for major cases does not exceed 30 working days.
• Cost Structure: Beware of "low-price trap" quotation models that include hidden fees.

IV. How to Efficiently Claim Compensation for Cargo Damage After Insurance Purchase?

The key to a successful claim lies in the completeness of the evidence chain:

• The claim must be reported within 72 hours after the cargo is damaged.
• The following notarized documents are required:
  • Third-party inspection report
  • Temperature and humidity records throughout the transportation (for special cargo)
  • Customs Inspection Certificate
• The calculation of the claim amount should refer to the "Guidelines for the Assessment of Losses in International Trade Goods."

V. What Common Misconceptions May Lead to Insurance Invalidation?

Based on the 327 claims dispute cases we have handled, the main risk points include:

• Dispute over coverage due to mismatch between cargo description and HS code.
• The transfer clause is not specifically stated in the insurance policy.
• The buyer delayed payment without timely reporting the change in credit terms.
• The use of unregistered transportation companies results in the application of exclusions.

It is recommended that enterprises, when signing agency agreements, must require the service provider to submit the "Risk Prevention and Control Checklist" and the "Key Policy Clauses Interpretation Report." For special trade models (such as cross-border e-commerce 9610 mode), it is advisable to purchase customized insurance plans separately. Specific operational details can be consulted with professional advisors holding CEP certification (Certified Export Practitioner).