Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Hub International: Cargo and Transit Insurance

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance's ocean cargo guide states worldwide coverage up to a $25 million maximum line, subject to risk profile; HUB International brokers marine cargo through a marine practice and directs prospects to a specialist.

Embarcadero Risk brings together source-based comparisons for businesses moving people and goods.Research updated 2026-10-01

HUB describes cargo loss, damage or theft during land, sea or air transit and stock throughput from manufacture through final delivery. BHSI’s U.S. Marine catalog lists ocean cargo, project cargo, stock throughput and ocean/inland marine categories; it separately names import/export, freight/logistics and manufacturing customers. Territory and terms remain policy-specific.

Source material

  1. 01
    Motor Truck Cargo Legal Liability Coverage

    American Association of Insurance Services, Inc.; hosted by National Unity · Coverage and Property Covered pp.1–2; Perils Excluded pp.6–7; Valuation p.8; How Much We Pay p.9; Transit definition p.13 · accessed 2026-09-16

  2. 02
    Marine

    Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance · Inland and ocean marine product list, covered property classes and target businesses; lines 18-69 · accessed 2026-09-28

  3. 03
    Ocean Marine Cargo Overview

    Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance · Two-page U.S. marketing PDF marked US-12/22-A; product types lines 14-20; ocean marine cargo appetite, capacity and placement lines 43-57; out-of-appetite and target risk characteristics lines 58-72; terms disclaimer lines 103-114 · accessed 2026-09-28

  4. 04
    Commercial Insurance Guide

    California Department of Insurance · Commercial Property; Inland Marine; What Should I Expect from a Broker-Agent · accessed 2026-09-16

  5. 05
    Marine Insurance Broker Policy & Coverage

    HUB International · Marine Cargo Insurance section: protects inventory while in transit, covers damage, loss or theft of freight during transportation by land, sea or air; Stock Throughput Insurance section; Marine Liabilities list; target markets including Ocean Cargo and Supply Chain/Logistics; Contact a HUB marine insurance specialist · accessed 2026-09-23

  6. 06
    Shipping Options

    International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce · Export Shipping Basics; Tips on International Shipping from U.S.; Working with Freight Forwarders · accessed 2026-09-16

  7. 07
    Special Documents

    International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce · Insurance Certificate bullet · accessed 2026-09-16

What Are the Key Differences Between Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance and HUB International Cargo and Transit Insurance?

Transit and stock-throughput scope

HUB describes marine cargo protection for damage, loss or theft while freight moves by land, sea or air, plus stock throughput from manufacturing through final delivery. BHSI’s U.S. Marine catalog lists ocean cargo, project cargo and stock throughput. Compare the actual route and location schedules rather than merging catalog labels. [5] [2]

Target marine customers

HUB names ocean-cargo, vessel, port/terminal, shipowner/operator, shipyard, supply-chain and logistics businesses. BHSI’s U.S. Marine catalog names importers/exporters, freight/logistics operators and manufacturers. Both descriptions include logistics-related businesses, while HUB also lists marine infrastructure and vessel businesses; neither list guarantees appetite. [5] [2]

What Should You Confirm in Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance and HUB International Cargo and Transit Insurance Quotes?

  • Which HUB movement stages and locations will the issued cargo or stock-throughput form schedule? [5]
  • Which BHSI marine product and territory would be considered for these goods and routes? [2]

Coverage topics

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance

  • coverage: BHSI's marine program lists ocean cargo, project cargo and stock-throughput coverage. BHSI U.S. Ocean Marine catalog; not inland transit or proof of the policy territory. Material limitation: Policy territory and transit definitions must be checked; catalog does not itself establish global scope.company-reportedSource ↗
  • eligibility: The marine catalog names importers/exporters, freight/logistics operators and manufacturers among its target customers. BHSI U.S. Ocean Marine target-account list only; not Inland Marine eligibility. Material limitation: Target customer examples do not define every acceptable cargo or shipment.company-reportedSource ↗
  • coverage: BHSI’s marine catalog distinguishes ocean marine and inland marine, and separately lists stock-throughput as an option. US BHSI catalog. Material limitation: Confirm how Spot's shared cargo-transit key maps to these distinctions before coding coverage.company-reportedSource ↗
  • coverage: BHSI’s Ocean Marine Cargo overview lists stock throughput, ocean/international transit, domestic transit, excess stock, logistics, and contingent cargo coverage as coverage types available. BHSI U.S. Ocean Marine Cargo marketing overview marked US-12/22-A; the current marine catalog independently lists Ocean Cargo and Stock Throughputs under Ocean Marine. Material limitation: Not all types are necessarily combined or available for every insured. Domestic transit wording is not a basis to merge this line with the separately listed Inland Marine catalog. Verify current forms, exclusions, territory and issuer.company-reportedSource ↗
  • limits: The BHSI Ocean Marine Cargo guide states up to $25 million maximum line, subject to risk profile, a $15,000 minimum premium, worldwide coverage, and primary or excess positions. U.S. Ocean Marine Cargo/STP marketing guide marked US-12/22-A; $25 million capacity expressly depends on risk profile. Material limitation: The document is dated 2022-12 and says multinational policy ability would follow in 2025; do not treat its worldwide wording or current availability as confirmed. Capacity is not an insured limit, and minimum premium is not a quote. Reconfirm current appetite and issuer.company-reportedSource ↗
  • eligibility: The Ocean Marine Cargo guide describes target risks including manufacturers/distributors of finished goods, machinery and equipment, food and beverage, bulk liquids, containerized goods, and stock with balanced exposure; it lists pharmaceuticals, project cargo, autos, DOL, and livestock as out of appetite. BHSI Ocean Marine Cargo/STP appetite in U.S. marketing material marked US-12/22-A. Material limitation: This is historical appetite guidance, not a policy exclusion list or current acceptance commitment. The current BHSI Marine catalog separately lists Project Cargo as an Ocean Marine product while this 2022 guide lists it out of appetite; current product-specific meaning and appetite must be reconciled with underwriting. It does not establish Inland Marine eligibility.company-reportedSource ↗

HUB International

  • role: HUB brokers marine cargo insurance through a dedicated marine practice rather than underwriting the policy itself. Marine insurance product page as read 2026-09-23; the page does not name an issuing insurer.company-reportedSource ↗
  • coverage: HUB describes marine cargo insurance as covering damage, loss or theft of freight while it is in transit by land, sea or air, and separately offers stock throughput insurance that covers goods from the manufacturing stage through final delivery. Product-page coverage description; the issued policy and its exclusions control an actual claim.company-reportedSource ↗
  • eligibility: HUB says its marine practice serves ocean cargo, passenger vessel, port and terminal operator, ship owner and operator, shipyard, and supply chain and logistics businesses. Product-page target-market list; not a published underwriting appetite by cargo type or region.company-reportedSource ↗
  • insurer: The marine insurance page does not name an issuing insurer for cargo coverage; HUB places marine business with carriers that vary by placement. Checked the marine insurance product page on 2026-09-23; no carrier is disclosed there.not-foundSource ↗
  • limits: Published per-shipment or per-conveyance limits for HUB-placed cargo coverage were not found on this page. Checked the marine insurance product page on 2026-09-23; limits are set on the quote and declarations.not-disclosedSource ↗
  • application: HUB directs prospects to contact a HUB marine insurance specialist to arrange coverage; no online quote flow is described. Product-page call to action as read 2026-09-23.company-reportedSource ↗

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