Shipping cargo via sea, air, or land involves potential risks that may affect the condition of your goods during the transportation process. However, we want you to rest assured that we are here to assist you in the event of any unforeseen circumstances. As experts in this field, we handle a considerable number of claims annually. Let’s walk you through the different stages:

• Inform: you, the assured party, find out that there has been a problem with your cargo. Damage, spoilage, infestation,… has occurred where it shouldn’t have. It is important that you notify your insurance provider as soon as possible. The more information you provide, the better, so don't hold back.

• Investigate: once the insurance company has been notified, they will assign a survey office, such as DPS, to investigate the incident. A qualified surveyor will be assigned to your case. They will contact you to gather any additional information needed.

• Invite: the relevant parties (shipper, carrier, terminal) will be invited to attend the joint survey to assess the damages. The surveyor's opinion carries significant weight in the claims process, so their findings will be important for both you and your insurance company.

• Inspect: the surveyor will physically inspect the cargo to assess the extent of the damage and identify any other potential issues that may impact its value. These first findings will be drawn up in a preliminary report, which you and your insurer will receive in the next 24 hours.

• Advise: based on our survey findings we will advise the possible courses of action to mitigate any possible damage. Our contacts in the industry can help you to find solutions where you first thought there were none.

• Assess: all relevant costs will be collected and included in the final report.

• Resolve: assuming the claim is covered, the insurance company will issue payment to the insured party for the damages or losses that were incurred and determined as fair and reasonable by your surveyor.

• Relax: knowing that the experts at DPS are here to help you through the process, should the worst happen.

Through the years we have been able to develop partnerships with company like UNIBAN, Zespri, Duferco, Allia, Allianz, Van Breda, Vestas, AXA, Generali and many others. In 2022 our Belgian Marine Department assisted in more 2,300 files for more than 100 clients.

Because of the extended in-house knowledge we can cater to almost all needs within a transport environment and this for insurance clients but also for our clients who assign us directly. Naturally a practical, pragmatic, pro-active and solution minded approach is key to any survey performed.

At DPS we can assist in a wide range of services from damages on a cargo from soft commodities over fruit and vegetables to steel but also CMR, carriers liability. Besides the surveys on damaged cargo we have gathered an extended knowledge in loss prevention such as load and stow of heavy machinery or project cargo, warehouse inspections and quality inspection on perishables. All this with a team of 14 in house surveyors and inspectors and of course our colleagues from our international desk and our partners worldwide.

Contact details
Cor Kerkhofs
E-mail: cor.kerkhofs@dpsurveys.com