Heffernan vs Hub International: Cargo and Transit Insurance

Online declaration tools and in-house underwriting authority come with Heffernan Insurance Brokers' marine cargo program for freight forwarders; HUB International brokers marine cargo through a dedicated marine practice.

Embarcadero Risk brings together source-based comparisons for businesses moving people and goods.Research updated 2026-09-25

What Are the Key Differences Between Heffernan Insurance Brokers and HUB International Cargo and Transit Insurance?

Compare Forwarder Claims Support and Marine Options

Heffernan’s marine cargo program for freight forwarders and logistics companies is described with in-house underwriting authority and a claims division that can adjust, settle and issue payments. HUB brokers marine cargo through a dedicated marine practice and does not underwrite. A Heffernan cargo client is in a named program with claimed payment authority; a HUB client is in a placement whose writer varies. [3] [5]

Forwarder Bundles and Trucking Versus Throughput

Heffernan’s cargo program lists general merchandise and household-goods logistics, marine cargo legal liability, E&O, surety bonds and special projects; transportation lists motor truck cargo and brokerage liability and contingent cargo. HUB describes freight damage, loss or theft by land, sea or air, and stock throughput from manufacturing through final delivery. Heffernan names freight forwarders, customs brokers, movers, trucking, final-mile, couriers, fuel haulers and towing; HUB names ocean cargo, passenger vessels, ports, ship owners, shipyards and supply-chain logistics. [3] [4] [5]

Portal Tools Versus a Specialist Contact

Heffernan existing cargo clients use a portal for declarations and claims; new buyers request a quote or consultation. HUB directs prospects to a marine insurance specialist with no online quote flow described. Heffernan also lists fleet safety, benchmarking, medical triage and DOT compliance on transportation. Neither page names the issuing insurer or publishes limits. [3] [4] [5]

What Should You Confirm in Heffernan Insurance Brokers and HUB International Cargo and Transit Insurance Quotes?

  • Ask Heffernan whether you are in the marine cargo program or transportation motor truck cargo, and who signs claim checks. [3] [4]
  • Ask HUB whether the placement is marine cargo, stock throughput, or both. [5]
  • Get the issuing carrier from both. [3] [5]
  • Confirm whether you need contingent cargo and brokerage liability (Heffernan transportation) or factory-to-delivery throughput (HUB). [4] [5]

Coverage topics

Heffernan Insurance Brokers

  • role: Heffernan runs a specialty marine cargo program for freight forwarders and logistics companies that it says carries in-house underwriting authority and a dedicated claims division with authority to adjust, settle and issue payments directly. That is a broader, program-administrator-style role than ordinary brokerage, and is specific to this cargo program rather than Heffernan's general business insurance brokerage. Marine Cargo page's 'What Sets Our Programs Apart' section. Does not establish that Heffernan is a licensed carrier or MGA for this program; the exact legal arrangement with its carrier partners was not disclosed.company-reportedSource ↗
  • eligibility: Heffernan markets its cargo program to freight forwarders, customs brokers, import/export operators and household-goods movers, and describes a global client base of logistics companies, forwarders and brokers. Its separate transportation practice serves trucking and logistics, final-mile delivery, couriers, fuel haulers, towing and moving and storage businesses. Marine Cargo and Transportation page descriptions of target clients and subsectors.company-reportedSource ↗Source ↗
  • coverage: Heffernan's cargo program lists general merchandise logistics, household goods logistics, marine cargo legal liability, errors and omissions, surety bonds and special-projects coverage. Its transportation practice separately lists motor truck cargo and brokerage liability and contingent cargo among its exclusive and sponsored products for trucking and logistics clients. Marine Cargo 'Coverage Options' list and Transportation 'exclusive and sponsored products' list; exclusions and policy wording are not published.company-reportedSource ↗Source ↗
  • services: Heffernan describes interactive online tools for remote declaration issuance and claim reporting, plus sales-tracking tools, for its cargo program. Its transportation practice separately lists fleet safety and training, a benchmarking system, medical triage and first aid, and a workers' compensation mod-reduction plan, along with a DOT compliance platform. Marine Cargo 'Tools for Cargo Insurance' section and Transportation risk-management and safety-services lists.company-reportedSource ↗Source ↗
  • application: Existing cargo policyholders manage shipments and claims through an online portal login; new buyers reach the program through a Request a Quote or Request a Consultation contact route, or by calling the number listed for the cargo claims team. Marine Cargo page's portal sign-in and consultation-request sections.company-reportedSource ↗
  • insurer: Heffernan says its cargo program has 'exclusive access to major insurance carriers' and that its transportation practice is 'appointed with top transportation carriers,' but neither page names a specific issuing insurer. Checked the Marine Cargo and Transportation pages on 2026-09-23. The issuing insurer would appear on the quote and declarations.not-disclosedSource ↗Source ↗

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 ↗

Heffernan fits freight forwarders, customs brokers and movers seeking a cargo claims team and declarations portal; HUB fits importers and logistics businesses covering freight across land, sea or air or from manufacture through delivery.

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
    Commercial Insurance Guide

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

  3. 03
    Marine Cargo

    Heffernan Insurance Brokers · Transportation Insurance Programs for Freight Forwarders and Logistics Companies; Specialty Programs list; Coverage Options; What Sets Our Programs Apart: in-house underwriting authority, exclusive access to major insurance carriers, dedicated claims division with authority to adjust, settle and issue payments; interactive online tools; contact · accessed 2026-09-23

  4. 04
    Transportation Insurance

    Heffernan Insurance Brokers · Transportation subsectors; exclusive and sponsored products including Motor Truck Cargo and Brokerage Liability and Contingent Cargo; risk management strategies; appointed with top transportation carriers; practice leader contacts · accessed 2026-09-23

  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

Share your transportation and logistics needs with Embarcadero Risk to discuss next steps.

Contact Embarcadero Risk