Institute Cargo Clauses (ICC): A, B, C Comparison and Comprehensive Coverage Guide
Institute Cargo Clauses (ICC): A, B, C Comparison and Comprehensive Coverage
Institute Cargo Clauses (ICC) are a critical component of a marine insurance policy that covers cargo in-transit. These clauses are designed to specify the scope of items in the cargo that are covered in case of any loss or damage to the shipment.
An ICC can cover anything from the cargo to the container that holds its value, along with the transport mode used for shipping. There are three basic sets of Institute Cargo Clauses: A, B, and C. Your coverage is directly related to your insurance premium; a higher marine insurance premium typically means broader coverage.
ICC A, B, and C Cargo Clauses: Coverage Differences
Review the detailed comparison of coverage across all three core clauses:
| RISKS (Proximate Cause) |
ICC A |
ICC B |
ICC C |
| Stranding, Grounding, Sinking or Capsizing |
✓ |
✓* |
✓* |
| Overturning or Derailment of Land Conveyance |
✓ |
✓* |
✓* |
| Collision of Ship or Craft with another Ship or Craft |
✓ |
✓* |
✓* |
| Contact of Ship, Craft or Conveyance with anything other than Ship or Craft (Excludes Water but not Ice) |
✓ |
✓* |
✓* |
| Discharge of Cargo at Port of Distress |
✓ |
✓* |
✓* |
| Fire or Explosion |
✓ |
✓* |
✓* |
| Earthquake, Volcanic Eruption or Lightning |
✓ |
✓* |
☐ |
| Malicious Damage |
✓ |
☐ |
☐ |
| Entry of Sea, Lake or River Water into Vessel, Craft, Container, Lift-van or Place of Storage |
☐ |
✓* |
☐ |
| Total Loss of any Package overboard during Loading/Discharge |
✓ |
☐ |
☐ |
| Washing Overboard |
✓ |
☐ |
☐ |
| General Average Sacrifice |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| Jettison |
✓ |
✓ |
☐ |
| Takings at Sea (Except War Risks) |
✓ |
☐ |
☐ |
| Total Loss of entire shipment due to Theft (Excluding Partial Theft) |
✓ |
☐ |
☐ |
| Theft, Pilferage and Non-Delivery (T.P.N.D.) |
✓ |
☐ |
☐ |
| Leakage and Breakage |
✓ |
☐ |
☐ |
| Contamination, Heating or Sweating (Damage) |
✓ |
☐ |
☐ |
| Rainwater/Freshwater Damage |
✓ |
☐ |
☐ |
* Can be bought back with additional premium.
Key Terms and Optional Coverage
- ICC A is often referred to as "Full Cover."
- ICC B is sometimes referred to as "With Particular Average."
- ICC C is sometimes referred to as "Free of Particular Average."
- The War and Strikes Clauses can be added to ICC A, B, or C coverage through an additional premium payment, often referred to as "bought back" coverage.
For official documentation and forms, please visit the Cargo Forms page.