Goods in Transit
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Sometimes it can be difficult to determine when goods are damaged and find out what caused the issue in the first place. This makes liability concerning goods in transit a murky issue, and difficult to determine who is at fault.

In general, the person liable for goods damaged in transit really depends on the contract that you have in place. Some contracts will emphasise that a courier must handle goods carefully and with the proper protection for parcels in place, so any resulting damage would hold the courier in breach of their contract.

In most cases, the retailer is held responsible if the consumer notices their goods have been damaged upon arrival. It is important to note, though, that the retailer will have the authority to investigate further with their courier services and examine the contract arranged between the two businesses.

Here are some steps that a courier can take to minimise damage to goods in transit from pick-up to drop-off:

Secure your goods before setting off

Take steps to ensure that your parcels and boxes are secured in place and spread out enough to evenly distribute their total weight. Look out for any smaller boxes that could become loose and fall. Secure locked containers will also help to reduce the risk of theft or loss during your journey.

Plan your route

Plan the delivery route carefully to minimise the risk of theft or loss while both in transit and during your rest breaks. Keeping an eye out on detours due to accidents and researching whether your route has any particularly well-known roads with a high accident count will help you to stay vigilant as well as safe.

Secure your goods in storage and transit

When you’re not driving, make sure to store goods in a secure location when not in transit. Whilst en route, make sure you’ve sufficiently locked up your van during any rest stops and drop-offs. If you have successfully found your drop-off point but the recipient of the parcel isn’t home, go the extra mile to leave their parcel in a secure place away from opportunistic thieves.

Vet your employees

It may not seem obvious, but sometimes an employee poses a risk to your goods in transit. If you’re considering broadening your team, make sure to carry out the appropriate background checks on any employees involved in transporting goods. Requesting police certificates to show proof of a clear record is just one of the many steps to minimise the risk of theft.

The cost of your goods in transit cover will vary depending on your business needs and your insurance provider’s policies.

Our friendly team of insurance experts can do all the hard work for you to compare quotes and find policies tailored to you.

Discover how much your goods in transit insurance will cost by calling our team on 0800 078 7690 for a free quote.  

If you notice that goods are damaged in transit while you are transporting them, you should take the following steps:

• Stop the delivery and assess the extent of the damage to the goods.
• Inform the sender and recipient of the goods about the damage as soon as you notice the damage.
• Take detailed photographs and videos of the damaged goods to document their condition. Remember to show the item’s damage from multiple angles and handle the damaged goods carefully to avoid further damage.
• Investigate the cause of the damage, such as rough handling, poor packaging, or natural causes.
• Follow your company’s procedures for handling damaged goods, including returning the goods to the sender and notifying your insurer.
• Keep records of the damage and the steps taken to address it in case of future goods in transit insurance claims. Providing your insurer with evidence that you’re being more careful will show them that you’re responsible and may even help bring down your premium in future.