How can a freight forwarder add cargo insurance as a new line of business?
Published on July 6, 2026 · Proteus Cargo
A freight forwarder can offer cargo insurance to its clients by relying on the policy that Proteus Cargo has already underwritten. It needs no capital, no insurance infrastructure, and no technical expertise: the forwarder brings its book of business and its client relationships, and Proteus Cargo brings the product, the technology, and the international backing. Every shipment it handles becomes an opportunity for additional revenue.
The revenue being left on the table today
Every operation a freight forwarder handles moves cargo that may need coverage. If the client arranges that insurance on their own —or doesn't arrange it at all— the forwarder loses a revenue and service opportunity that was within reach. Offering the insurance as part of its own service turns something that already happens on every shipment into a line of business.
Why you don't need to become an insurance expert
The classic barrier to offering insurance is complexity: policies, underwriting, capital, claims handling. Proteus Cargo's partner model removes that barrier. The freight forwarder does not take out its own policy or build an insurance department: it relies on a policy that is already underwritten and active, and Proteus Cargo handles certificate issuance and claims management. The intermediary focuses on what it already does well —moving cargo and serving its client— and adds coverage as one more service.
What the end client gains
Through the Proteus Cargo policy, the client gains access to terms, capacity, and international backing that are hard to obtain individually. Coverage is broad, warehouse to warehouse, on any route in the world, with no deductibles, backed by world-class insurers and reinsurers. And in the event of a claim, the response comes with speed and firmness, in the client's favor. For the forwarder, that translates into more loyal clients and one more reason to be chosen over the competition.
What it looks like in practice
The flow is simple: when the forwarder handles a shipment, it offers coverage as part of its service. From the platform, the BL or the invoice is uploaded, the system reads the document with AI and fills in the shipment details; you review and issue the certificate in minutes. There is no new trade to learn and no extra staff to hire: the operation fits into the work the forwarder already does every day.
How to get started
Joining the partner program does not require building infrastructure or taking out your own policy. It is a shared-revenue model, and the commercial details are discussed in a meeting, based on each partner's book of business.
Want to add cargo insurance to your service? Learn about the partner program at proteuscargo.com
Frequently asked questions
Do I need my own policy or capital to offer cargo insurance?
No. You rely on the policy Proteus Cargo has already underwritten; you need no capital, no insurance infrastructure, and no technical expertise.
How long does it take to issue a certificate?
Minutes. From the platform, the BL or invoice is uploaded, the system reads the document with AI and fills in the details; you review and issue.