Transport insurance

We work with the most reliable partners in the world. But the sea can be unpredictable, and maritime incidents often make the news. You may remember the cargo ship that lost 400 containers in the Wadden Sea during a storm in 2019, or the one that struck a kilometre-long bridge in Baltimore in early 2024, causing severe damage to many containers. And of course, the ship that blocked the Suez Canal for several days in 2021, disrupting global shipping routes. It’s important to know that loss or damage to your car in such situations is often not covered by standard insurance.

That’s why we always recommend taking out additional transport insurance for your imported car. If you choose to ship your car with SCL Rotterdam, we can arrange this for you. Whether you opt for Ro-Ro shipping or container transport, we ensure that your vehicle crosses the ocean properly insured. And if you also make use of road transport, we can include the insurance as part of a complete package through our insurance partner.

Avoid high costs: take out marine transport insurance

Through our insurance partner, you can choose between two types of car transport insurance. Damage during sea freight is unfortunately not uncommon — think of storm damage, lost cargo, or damaged containers. Especially for intercontinental transport, proper insurance is not a luxury but a necessity. Most standard car insurance policies don’t cover these risks. Without additional coverage, you are personally responsible for any damage, which can become very costly — especially for valuable vehicles such as classics, youngtimers, sports cars, or American pickups.

All-Risk Insurance

All damages that occur during transport — whether due to fire, theft, or any other cause — are covered. This includes visible scratches, dents, and other forms of damage. This type of insurance offers maximum security and is recommended for cars of higher financial or emotional value. It also covers damage caused by capsizing or mishandling during loading and unloading.

Total-Loss Insurance

Only total-loss damage sustained during transport is covered. For example, if the container holding your vehicle falls overboard or becomes so severely damaged that the car is declared total loss by an expert. Cosmetic transport damage such as scratches or dents is not covered. This option is suitable for cars with lower market value or for those on a limited budget.

General Average (Averij Grosse)

If costs are incurred to save a ship and its cargo in an emergency, these are distributed among all shippers based on the value of their cargo — a maritime principle known as General Average.

As a customer of SCL Rotterdam, you are automatically considered a shipper, which means you’re liable for your share of the costs in such cases. If you have transport insurance, your insurer covers these costs. Such situations are rare, but when they do occur, the financial impact without insurance can be substantial.

What does transport insurance cost?

The cost of transport insurance depends on the type of transport, the vehicle’s value, the transport duration, and the country of origin. Because every situation is different, we’re happy to provide a tailored quotation — so you know exactly what to expect, with no surprises. Whether you’re importing a classic car from the US, a pickup from Canada, or a moving van from Dubai, we’ll arrange the insurance suited to your vehicle and route.

Curious about the insurance cost for your car? Request a free quotation today to know exactly where you stand. Prefer more information first? We’re available Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 17:00. Call us at +31 (0)10 427 7723 or email sales@sclrotterdam.com

— we’ll be happy to help.

Why choose SCL Rotterdam?

SCL Rotterdam has been a specialist in importing vehicles from outside Europe for nearly 20 years. From purchase assistance to home delivery – we take care of everything, including transport insurance, customs documentation, RDW or TÜV inspection, and full registration. Want to learn more about the complete import process from A to Z? Visit our car import page, where we explain each step in detail. You can also explore our full overview of transport services.

Our team consists of genuine car enthusiasts with a keen eye for detail, treating your car as if it were their own. Whether you’re importing as a business or privately fulfilling a dream, with SCL Rotterdam your transport is insured and in expert hands.

• Specialist in non-European imports – nearly 20 years of experience with car imports from Dubai, the US, Canada, and Japan.

• One-stop-shop service – from purchase assistance to home delivery, including transport, inspection, and registration.

• Complete inspection and registration – we ensure your car meets all European/Dutch requirements and handle everything with the authorities, such as RDW and TÜV.

• A team of true car enthusiasts – our passion for cars translates into personal service and attention to detail.

• Hassle-free import process from A to Z – we take care of everything quickly, safely, and transparently.