Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Heffernan Insurance Brokers: How Do They Compare for Cargo and Transit Insurance?

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Heffernan runs a specialty marine cargo program for freight forwarders and logistics companies that it says carries in-house underwriting authority and a dedicated claims division with authority to adjust, settle and issue payments directly. That is a broader, program-administrator-style role than ordinary brokerage, and is specific to this cargo program rather than Heffernan's general business insurance brokerage. ¹⁰Company-reported. Marine Cargo page's 'What Sets Our Programs Apart' section. Does not establish that Heffernan is a licensed carrier or MGA for this program; the exact legal arrangement with its carrier partners was not disclosed.

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Heffernan says its cargo program has 'exclusive access to major insurance carriers' and that its transportation practice is 'appointed with top transportation carriers,' but neither page names a specific issuing insurer. ^10,11Not publicly disclosed. Checked the Marine Cargo and Transportation pages on 2026-09-23. The issuing insurer would appear on the quote and declarations.

The marine catalog names importers/exporters, freight/logistics operators and manufacturers among its target customers. ⁵Company-reported. BHSI U.S. Ocean Marine target-account list only; not Inland Marine eligibility. Material limitation: Target customer examples do not define every acceptable cargo or shipment.

The Ocean Marine Cargo guide describes target risks including manufacturers/distributors of finished goods, machinery and equipment, food and beverage, bulk liquids, containerized goods, and stock with balanced exposure; it lists pharmaceuticals, project cargo, autos, DOL, and livestock as out of appetite. ⁶Company-reported. BHSI Ocean Marine Cargo/STP appetite in U.S. marketing material marked US-12/22-A. Material limitation: This is historical appetite guidance, not a policy exclusion list or current acceptance commitment. The current BHSI Marine catalog separately lists Project Cargo as an Ocean Marine product while this 2022 guide lists it out of appetite; current product-specific meaning and appetite must be reconciled with underwriting. It does not establish Inland Marine eligibility.

Heffernan markets its cargo program to freight forwarders, customs brokers, import/export operators and household-goods movers, and describes a global client base of logistics companies, forwarders and brokers. Its separate transportation practice serves trucking and logistics, final-mile delivery, couriers, fuel haulers, towing and moving and storage businesses. ^10,11Company-reported. Marine Cargo and Transportation page descriptions of target clients and subsectors.

BHSI's marine program lists ocean cargo, project cargo and stock-throughput coverage. ⁵Company-reported. BHSI U.S. Ocean Marine catalog; not inland transit or proof of the policy territory. Material limitation: Policy territory and transit definitions must be checked; catalog does not itself establish global scope.

BHSI’s marine catalog distinguishes ocean marine and inland marine, and separately lists stock-throughput as an option. ⁵Company-reported. US BHSI catalog. Material limitation: Confirm how Spot's shared cargo-transit key maps to these distinctions before coding coverage.

BHSI’s Ocean Marine Cargo overview lists stock throughput, ocean/international transit, domestic transit, excess stock, logistics, and contingent cargo coverage as coverage types available. ⁶Company-reported. BHSI U.S. Ocean Marine Cargo marketing overview marked US-12/22-A; the current marine catalog independently lists Ocean Cargo and Stock Throughputs under Ocean Marine. Material limitation: Not all types are necessarily combined or available for every insured. Domestic transit wording is not a basis to merge this line with the separately listed Inland Marine catalog. Verify current forms, exclusions, territory and issuer.

Heffernan's cargo program lists general merchandise logistics, household goods logistics, marine cargo legal liability, errors and omissions, surety bonds and special-projects coverage. Its transportation practice separately lists motor truck cargo and brokerage liability and contingent cargo among its exclusive and sponsored products for trucking and logistics clients. ^10,11Company-reported. Marine Cargo 'Coverage Options' list and Transportation 'exclusive and sponsored products' list; exclusions and policy wording are not published.

The BHSI Ocean Marine Cargo guide states up to $25 million maximum line, subject to risk profile, a $15,000 minimum premium, worldwide coverage, and primary or excess positions. ⁶Company-reported. U.S. Ocean Marine Cargo/STP marketing guide marked US-12/22-A; $25 million capacity expressly depends on risk profile. Material limitation: The document is dated 2022-12 and says multinational policy ability would follow in 2025; do not treat its worldwide wording or current availability as confirmed. Capacity is not an insured limit, and minimum premium is not a quote. Reconfirm current appetite and issuer.

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Heffernan describes interactive online tools for remote declaration issuance and claim reporting, plus sales-tracking tools, for its cargo program. Its transportation practice separately lists fleet safety and training, a benchmarking system, medical triage and first aid, and a workers' compensation mod-reduction plan, along with a DOT compliance platform. ^10,11Company-reported. Marine Cargo 'Tools for Cargo Insurance' section and Transportation risk-management and safety-services lists.

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Existing cargo policyholders manage shipments and claims through an online portal login; new buyers reach the program through a Request a Quote or Request a Consultation contact route, or by calling the number listed for the cargo claims team. ¹⁰Company-reported. Marine Cargo page's portal sign-in and consultation-request sections.