Old Mutual Authorised Agent
Cargo Insurance by Old Mutual
Marine, road, air and vehicle import cover. Underwritten by Old Mutual, arranged by George Steward.
The Three Questions Everyone Asks First
Cover must be arranged before the goods leave the origin. Once the cargo is in transit, Old Mutual will not accept a new application. Arrange insurance when you place the shipping order, not when the truck reaches the border.
Backed by Old Mutual
Old Mutual has been operating in Zimbabwe since 1902. Over 120 years of protecting Zimbabwean families, businesses and assets. Every cargo policy George Steward arranges is underwritten by Old Mutual.
This matters for two reasons.
First, the claims process. When your cargo is lost or damaged, the claim is handled by Old Mutual, one of the largest insurers on the continent. You are not dealing with a small broker or an offshore operator. You are dealing with a Zimbabwean institution that has paid claims through every economic cycle the country has faced.
Second, the product range. Because George Steward is an authorised Old Mutual agent, we can arrange not just cargo insurance but the full range of Old Mutual products. Old Mutual funeral cover, Old Mutual life insurance, Old Mutual vehicle insurance, Old Mutual home insurance, Old Mutual business insurance, Old Mutual employee benefits, Old Mutual savings and investments, Old Mutual retirement planning, Old Mutual health insurance and Old Mutual travel insurance. Ten products in total, all through the same contact.
You already trust us with your cargo. Now you can trust us with the financial protection that surrounds it.
Cargo Insurance We Arrange Through Old Mutual
We arrange five categories of cargo cover through Old Mutual.
Marine Cargo Insurance by Old Mutual
For goods shipped by sea from China, Dubai or any ocean origin. Covers loss, damage and theft from origin port to destination warehouse in Zimbabwe. Available for full container loads and for consolidated cargo.
Common cargo: furniture, machinery, electronics, building materials, textiles, appliances.
Road Transit Insurance by Old Mutual
For goods moving by road, whether from South Africa to Zimbabwe or within Zimbabwe. Covers accidents, theft, hijacking and fire. Relevant for the N1 corridor and the Beitbridge to Harare road, where cargo theft is a documented risk.
Common cargo: FMCG, hardware, auto spares, agricultural inputs, general merchandise.
Air Freight Insurance by Old Mutual
For time sensitive cargo moving by air. Covers loss and damage from departure airport to arrival airport and onward delivery.
Common cargo: electronics, samples, pharmaceuticals, high value small items.
Vehicle Import Insurance by Old Mutual
For vehicles being imported from South Africa, Japan, the UK or the UAE. Every vehicle entering Zimbabwe needs third party insurance. We arrange this cover from the point of purchase through to delivery and registration. Includes transit, customs holding and Beitbridge border storage. Comprehensive cover is also available.
All Risk Cargo Cover by Old Mutual
Comprehensive cover for high value consignments above USD 10,000. Covers all perils including mysterious disappearance, non delivery and general average. Recommended for electronics, pharmaceuticals and any consignment where the total value justifies the premium.
The Full Old Mutual Portfolio, Through the Same Contact
Because George Steward is an authorised Old Mutual agent, we can arrange the full range of Old Mutual products. You do not need a separate financial adviser. Everything is available from the same team that already handles your imports.
Old Mutual Life Insurance
Life assurance, disability cover and critical illness protection for individuals and families. Old Mutual life insurance is one of the most widely held policies in Zimbabwe. Whether you are insuring your own life or setting up group life cover for your staff, we quote both.
Old Mutual Funeral Cover
Funeral plans are among the most widely held Old Mutual products in Zimbabwe. Immediate cover options, cash back plans, and family plans that cover extended relatives. Old Mutual funeral cover handles the full cost of a dignified funeral for you and your family.
Old Mutual Vehicle Insurance
Comprehensive and third party vehicle insurance for personal and commercial vehicles. Every vehicle entering Zimbabwe needs third party insurance. We arrange cover the moment your imported vehicle leaves the border so there is no gap in protection. Old Mutual vehicle insurance covers accidents, theft, fire and third party liability.
Old Mutual Home and Contents Insurance
Cover for your home, household contents and personal belongings. Old Mutual offers buildings cover, contents cover, and combined policies with options for theft, fire, flooding and liability.
Old Mutual Business Insurance
Cover for business premises, stock, machinery, equipment and business interruption. If your business depends on physical assets, Old Mutual business insurance protects against fire, theft, flood and other losses. Particularly relevant for commercial importers who hold stock.
Old Mutual Employee Benefits
Group life, group funeral, group disability and pension arrangements for your staff. Structured through Old Mutual Corporate. If you have employees, this is a cost effective way to protect them and reduce your own liability.
Old Mutual Savings and Investments
Savings plans, unit trusts, endowment policies and retirement annuities. If you have surplus capital, Old Mutual offers both short term and long term investment products. Old Mutual investments are managed by one of Africa's largest asset managers.
Old Mutual Retirement Planning
Pension funds, retirement annuities and preservation funds. Whether you are planning your own retirement or setting up a company pension scheme, Old Mutual retirement planning covers both.
Old Mutual Health Insurance
Health insurance products for individuals and employers. Ask us for a quote on the current Old Mutual health offering.
Old Mutual Travel Insurance
Cover for Zimbabweans travelling abroad for business or leisure, and for visitors coming to Zimbabwe. Old Mutual travel insurance covers medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, passport loss and emergency evacuation. Single trip and annual multi trip options available.
One conversation. Every product.
You already call us to clear cargo, import a vehicle, source from China, or store goods in bond. Next time you call, ask about anything above. One contact. One relationship. One trusted name behind it all.
What Cargo Insurance Does Not Cover
Every cargo policy has limits. Understanding them before you buy is how you avoid surprises at claim time. Standard Old Mutual cargo policies exclude the following, in line with industry norms.
- Inherent vice. Goods that deteriorate naturally or spoil on their own. Fresh produce and items with a limited shelf life are often excluded or restricted.
- Improper packing. If the goods were packed inadequately for the journey, the claim may be declined. Packing is the shipper's responsibility.
- Contraband. Goods that are illegal in Zimbabwe or the country of origin are not insurable.
- Delay alone. If your cargo is late but undamaged, there is no claim. A delay only triggers a claim if the delay caused physical loss or damage.
- War and terrorism. Standard policies exclude acts of war, civil unrest and terrorism. Extended cover is available on request.
- Wear and tear. Ordinary deterioration from the journey, especially on second hand goods, is excluded.
- Nuclear and radioactive contamination. Standard exclusion on all commercial policies.
If any of these exclusions apply to your cargo, tell us before we arrange cover. In some cases we can add an endorsement that extends protection. In others, we advise that the risk is yours to carry.
How It Works
Send us the shipment details
One message with the cargo description, value, origin, destination and expected transit dates. If you have booked the freight with us, the details are already on file.
We get the premium from Old Mutual
We come back with a fixed premium quote within 4 hours, alongside your clearing or freight quote. The premium is based on your cargo, route and cover level.
You approve and cover is placed
You approve the premium. Cover is placed with Old Mutual within 24 hours, before the goods leave the origin.
You receive the certificate
You receive a certificate of insurance by email. It shows the insured value, cover category, policy number and claims procedure. Keep it with your shipping documents.
Cover runs to your door
Cover runs from the moment goods are loaded at origin until they are delivered to your address in Zimbabwe. Border holding periods at Beitbridge or Plumtree are included.
If something goes wrong, we handle the claim
You call us. We notify Old Mutual, coordinate the surveyor inspection, gather the documentation and file the claim on your behalf. You do not deal with the insurer directly. We manage the process.
What Happens When Something Goes Wrong
The whole point of insurance is what happens at claim time. This is how we handle claims for our clients.
If cargo is lost at sea
The carrier files a notice of loss with the port authority. We file the claim with Old Mutual on your behalf, attaching the Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of insurance. Most total loss claims are settled within 30 to 60 days.
If cargo is damaged during transit
You notify us as soon as you see the damage. We arrange an independent surveyor to inspect the goods at your premises. The surveyor produces a report that quantifies the loss. We submit the survey report with the claim.
If cargo is stolen in transit
We file a police report immediately and notify the carrier. Both reports go to Old Mutual with the claim. Theft claims require strict documentation and are processed carefully. We prepare the file before submitting.
If the claim is rejected
Sometimes a claim is rejected because the loss falls under an exclusion. We tell you the reason and, where appropriate, we appeal. If the exclusion was not made clear at the time of cover, we raise that with Old Mutual.
If the process is slow
Insurance claims take time. Our job is to keep the pressure on Old Mutual, keep you updated at every stage, and escalate if the process stalls. You do not chase the insurer. We do.
"I have imported from China for eight years. I never insured anything until a container was damaged in Durban and I lost USD 30,000 in goods. Now I insure every shipment. George Steward arranges cover through Old Mutual in 24 hours and I get the certificate the same day."Brian Muzenda, Owner, Hardware Importer, Bulawayo
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my cargo need insurance to clear customs in Zimbabwe?
Who underwrites the cargo insurance?
What does marine cargo insurance cover?
How much does cargo insurance cost in Zimbabwe?
Can I insure a vehicle being imported into Zimbabwe?
Can you arrange other Old Mutual products for me?
What happens if my goods are lost or damaged?
Can I arrange insurance after my goods have shipped?
What is all risk cover?
Does the policy cover theft at Beitbridge?
Can I combine cargo insurance with Old Mutual funeral cover or life cover for my business?
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