Transit Insurance
The Office of Risk Management administers a transit Insurance plan for departments opting to insure shipments. This policy covers shipments made by vessel, barge, truck, railcar, and/or land, or air conveyance and connecting conveyances. Coverage includes shipments by mail and parcel post, messengers, parcel delivery service, and couriers. Coverage is worldwide—except to the extent that coverage is prohibited by United States of America law or governmental decree.
Note: It is a condition of this insurance that you will take all reasonable steps to ensure that equipment is packed so that it withstands the normal hazards associated with transit.
Costs for insurance are as follows:
- A $500 per-occurrence deductible applies.
- A $25,000 per-occurrence deductible applies to any shipment valued over $1,000,000.
- The premium charged is based upon the value of the each shipment.
To request coverage, submit a Transit Insurance Application form.
Reporting a Transit Insurance Claim
Report a claim to both the shipping carrier and Risk Management (217-333-3113) as soon as you become aware of a loss. Provide basic details such as the item's destination, shipment date, and carrier. Risk Management will also need to know particulars about the damage or loss and how it occurred. Provide the following information:
- What was shipped?
- What damage or loss occurred?
- When did the incident occur?
- How was the item damaged?
Provide photos of the damages (equipment and packaging) if available. Supply a police report if the loss was due to theft. Do not discard the damaged item or any packaging until advised to do so by Risk Management.
The shipping carrier will have its own claim process but may need similar information.
How Losses Are Settled
Most shipping carriers provide a nominal limit of insurance coverage for each shipment. Report this amount to Risk Management with a copy of payment.
Risk Management applies the deductible to the remaining insured value, and a journal voucher is processed to credit the C-FOAP provided from the initial request for insurance.
Who to Ask