CMR transport
CMR liability insurance and cargo insurance: key differences
A plain-language distinction between road carrier liability and insurance of an interest in goods.
Published 21. May 2026. · Autohelp expert team
CMR and cargo cover may appear in the same loss but they do not protect the same interest. A single damaged consignment can involve several contracts, so policies, parties and claim bases must be separated from the start.
CMR concerns carrier liability
The CMR framework governs the contract for international carriage of goods by road and carrier liability questions. Liability insurance follows that exposure within its own policy terms.
Cargo concerns an interest in the goods
Cargo insurance protects the agreed interest of the cargo owner or another insured against the transit risks stated in the policy.
Why both may matter
A cargo insurer may review indemnity to its insured while carrier or other-party liability is investigated.
- Do not assume one policy excludes the other.
- Preserve rights against relevant parties.
- Avoid inconsistent descriptions of the same event.
Documents connecting the loss
The CMR note, order, cargo policy, invoice, packing list, reservations, photographs and survey explain the movement, damage and value together.