Cargo insurers shift to per-trip risk assessment as payouts rise 46%

Risk assessment in the cargo insurance segment is changing: route, cargo type, delivery method and timing increasingly shape pricing and policy terms. Insurers are moving toward more detailed review of each trip, route analysis and checks of risk accumulation.

According to data cited in the publication with reference to Kommersant, premiums in cargo insurance amounted to 11 billion rubles in the first quarter of 2026, down almost 20%. Over 2023–2025, payouts rose 46% while the number of contracts fell 54%. This dynamic may point to a shift in the market model, with insurers focusing on more complex risks, larger sums insured and precise assessment of each shipment's conditions.

Rising numbers of cargo delivery delays are reported, along with growing interest in insurance against terrorism and sabotage risks. According to Evgeny Panrukhin, head of the complex insurance directorate No. 6 at Absolut Strakhovanie, the average loss size also increased in the first half of 2026, largely tied to a higher average sum insured. A portion of claims is separately flagged as showing signs of potential fraud — for example, repeated photo materials or matching contact details across different claims; such cases are described as part of the overall volume and subject to separate review rather than the main driver of rising loss ratios.

Demand for digital tools is supported by claims flow data: the number of claims reviewed via the Zunami digital platform grew 28.98%, and the number of claims reviewed and satisfied by insurers rose 26.69%. Analysts note the market's push to scale work with transportation risks: automation of mass insurance, scoring of loss probability and faster claims settlement.