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TL;DR: Goods in transit insurance covers loss of or damage to goods while they are being moved by road, rail or air, typically including theft, accidents and loading and unloading. In South Africa the terms of transport contracts are not regulated by statute, and many transporters limit or exclude their liability for cargo, so the owner of the goods usually needs its own cover. Claims are most often declined because a policy condition was not met, such as leaving a loaded vehicle unattended, missing security requirements or exceeding the limit per vehicle, so the conditions matter as much as the price.
Every business that moves stock, whether to customers, between branches or from a supplier, carries risk the moment the goods leave the premises. A truck can be hijacked, overturn on the N3, or arrive with half a load damaged by poor packing. The question that matters is who pays when that happens.
This guide explains what goods in transit insurance covers in South Africa, why the transporter’s own terms often leave the owner exposed, where claims typically get declined, and how it differs from marine cargo and stock throughput cover. It is general information, not advice on a specific policy. Your policy wording and your transport contracts decide the outcome of any claim.
In this article
What is goods in transit insurance?
Goods in transit insurance protects goods against loss or damage while they are being transported, usually within South Africa and sometimes into neighbouring countries. It can be arranged in two broad ways:
Owner’s cover, for a business that wants its own goods protected, whether it moves them in its own vehicles or uses a transporter or courier.
Carrier’s or haulier’s cover, for a transport business that moves other people’s goods and wants protection for the liability it carries for those goods.
The distinction matters. A transporter’s liability policy protects the transporter, within the limits of its own terms and its own policy. It is not a substitute for the owner’s cover if the transporter’s terms limit what it has to pay.
What it usually covers
Cover varies by insurer and policy, but a standard goods in transit policy typically responds to:
Accident and overturning of the carrying vehicle, including collision and fire.
Theft and hijacking, usually subject to security conditions.
Loading and unloading damage, from the moment goods are loaded until they are offloaded at the destination.
Temporary storage that is part of the normal course of the journey, often for a limited period.
Partial losses such as pilferage, where part of a load goes missing.
Some policies add debris removal, the cost of transferring goods to another vehicle after an accident, or cover for containers. Santam, for example, lists accident and overturning, theft and pilferage, loading and offloading damage, derailment and container cover on its goods in transit page. Check your own wording; the extensions included vary widely between insurers.
Who carries the risk: you or the transporter?
Many business owners assume that if a transporter damages or loses their goods, the transporter pays. In South Africa that assumption is often wrong.
There is no statute that regulates the terms of logistics contracts in South Africa, so transporters, warehouses and logistics operators are free to exclude, transfer or limit their liability in their standard trading conditions, and many do. Courts interpret exclusion and limitation clauses strictly, but where a clause is clear it is generally enforced. A transporter’s limit may be a small fraction of the value of the load, or liability may be excluded altogether for certain losses.
The practical consequence is that a business with an insurable interest in the goods should insure them itself, under a goods in transit policy or, where goods spend longer periods in storage, a stock throughput policy. Read the trading conditions on the back of your transporter’s quote before you rely on them, and ask your broker to check how your own policy deals with any recovery against the transporter.
Where goods in transit claims get declined
Most declined goods in transit claims are not about whether the event happened, but about whether the policy conditions were met. Common sticking points in South African wordings include:
Unattended vehicles. Many policies exclude theft from a loaded vehicle left unattended, or only cover it if the vehicle was locked, alarmed and in a secured area, such as a locked yard or guarded depot.
Overnight parking. Loads parked overnight may need to be in a specified secure location, which becomes a problem on long-distance routes.
Security requirements. High-value or high-risk loads often require vehicle tracking, immobilisers, and sometimes escorts or route restrictions. Failing to meet them can void the theft cover.
Packing and securing. Damage caused by insufficient packing, poor load securing or overloading is commonly excluded.
Restricted goods. Cash, cigarettes, cellphones, alcohol, jewellery and similar theft-attractive goods are often excluded or only covered by agreement.
Refrigeration breakdown. Spoilage of perishable goods due to a refrigeration failure usually needs a specific extension.
Delay and loss of market. Financial loss because goods arrive late, even if undamaged, is generally not covered.
Driver and vehicle requirements. Some policies set conditions about licensed drivers, vehicle roadworthiness and the use of subcontracted transporters.
These are typical conditions rather than a list from any single policy. The only way to know which apply to you is to read your schedule and wording, and to tell your broker how you actually move goods, including after-hours stops and subcontracted transport.
Hijacking and theft
Truck hijacking is a familiar risk on South African roads, which is why insurers attach security conditions to theft cover. SAPS figures for January to March 2025 showed truck hijackings down 21.6% on the same quarter a year earlier, with Gauteng the exception at a slight increase. Fewer incidents is good news, but the exposure remains, and insurers continue to price and underwrite for it.
When setting up or renewing cover, expect questions about the type of goods, typical load values, routes, tracking and stops. Honest, accurate answers help avoid a dispute later. The condition of South Africa’s road network also adds to accident and delay risk, which we looked at in how failing road infrastructure is increasing business risks.
Riots, strikes and Sasria
The July 2021 unrest, when dozens of trucks were set alight on the N2 and N3 in KwaZulu-Natal and freight was looted, showed how quickly riot damage can hit goods in transit. In South Africa, damage caused by riots, strikes, public disorder and terrorism is generally covered through Sasria, which is arranged alongside your normal policy rather than bought directly.
Where goods are insured under a marine transit policy that includes strikes cover, the Sasria transit rules generally require the cargo owner to claim under its marine policy first, with the insurer then able to seek a contribution from Sasria. Storage outside the normal course of transit falls outside that arrangement. These interactions are technical, so confirm with your broker how your transit cover and Sasria cover fit together. Our guide What does Sasria cover? explains the basics.
Limits, values and declarations
Goods in transit policies are usually written with a limit per vehicle or per consignment, and often on an annual basis linked to your expected turnover or carryings. Three points are worth checking:
Is the per-vehicle limit high enough for your largest load? One full truck of electronics or pharmaceuticals can exceed a limit set for average loads, and festive season loads tend to be larger.
What value is insured? Policies may settle on cost price, invoice value or cost plus freight. Agree the basis upfront.
Are your declarations accurate? Where premium is based on declared carryings, understating them can lead to a reduced claim payment. Underinsurance is a wider problem for South African businesses, which we covered in most SA businesses are quietly underinsured.
Goods in transit, marine cargo or stock throughput?
Goods in transit cover is designed for inland movements. Other covers apply as the risk changes:
Stock throughput insurance covers goods in transit and in storage under one policy, which suits importers, exporters and distributors whose stock moves and sits in several places. Our article on when stock throughput beats transit-only cover explains the trade-offs.
November and December bring more loads, larger loads, extra stops and more goods held in temporary storage. Before the peak, it is worth checking:
That your per-vehicle limit covers your largest expected festive load.
How your policy treats goods held overnight or over a long weekend, including during a year-end shutdown.
Whether any temporary or subcontracted transporters you use meet your policy’s conditions.
That your declared carryings reflect the peak, if your premium is adjusted on declarations.
How to arrange cover
To get a quote that reflects how you actually move goods, have the following ready:
The type of goods, typical and maximum values per load, and annual carryings.
Whether you use your own vehicles, transporters, couriers or a mix.
Routes, overnight stops and security measures such as tracking.
Any storage that forms part of the journey.
Your loss history for the last five years.
Berkley Risk’s online application forms include a standard marine and inland transit form and a fresh produce transit form. Berkley Risk is an authorised financial services provider (FSP 54407) and specialist insurance broker whose services include marine and transit insurance. Contact Berkley Risk to review your current cover.
Frequently asked questions
What does goods in transit insurance cover?
It typically covers loss of or damage to goods while they are being transported, including accidents, overturning, fire, theft and hijacking subject to security conditions, and damage during loading and unloading. Cover varies between policies, so check the wording.
Is the transporter not responsible for my goods?
Not always. Transport contracts in South Africa are not regulated by statute, and many transporters limit or exclude their liability in their trading conditions. Owners usually need their own goods in transit cover rather than relying on the transporter.
Does goods in transit insurance cover hijacking?
Usually yes, but often subject to conditions such as vehicle tracking, approved routes or not leaving the vehicle unattended. If a condition is not met, the claim may be declined.
Are goods covered if the truck is parked overnight?
It depends on the policy. Many policies only cover theft from a parked, loaded vehicle if it is locked and in a secure area. Check this before goods are left on a vehicle overnight or over a weekend.
Is riot damage to goods in transit covered?
Riot, strike and public disorder damage is generally covered through Sasria, arranged alongside your policy. Where marine transit cover includes strikes cover, the Sasria transit rules affect which policy responds first, so confirm the position with your broker.
What is the difference between goods in transit and marine cargo insurance?
Goods in transit insurance covers inland movements by road, rail or air. Marine cargo insurance covers imports and exports by sea or air, usually including the inland legs at each end. Businesses that also store goods for longer periods may be better suited to stock throughput cover.
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