Medical, Pharma & Controlled Goods
Airfreight Temperature Integrity Coverage
Objective, data-based protection for temperature-sensitive airfreight — using Envirotainer or the CIO-Tag monitoring device.
This coverage applies to temperature-sensitive cargo transported by air when temperature monitoring is in place. Terms and conditions are driven by the underlying insurance policy — this clause is added to the policy to enable temperature integrity protection.
When is this coverage valid?
Active temperature-controlled container
Shipment is transported in an active unit such as an Envirotainer.
CIO-Tag (or approved equivalent)
Placed inside the shipment and activated before departure with proper chilled preparation.
Without one of these, temperature-related loss is not covered. Any container used for chilled or frozen product must also be pre-chilled prior to loading.
How the coverage works
An agreed temperature range
Each commodity has a defined acceptable range, set before departure.
A defined Trigger Duration
Minimum time outside the range required for coverage to be considered.
Actual physical damage
Spoilage, contamination or documented loss of commercial value must be proven.
Temperature deviation alone does not automatically result in compensation — the cargo must show actual physical deterioration, spoilage, contamination, or documented loss of commercial value.
Commodity parameters
| Product type | Temperature range | Trigger duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Salmon | 0°C to +2°C | >60 consecutive minutes |
| Berries | 0°C to +4°C | >90 consecutive minutes |
| Tropical Fruit | +8°C to +14°C | >120 consecutive minutes |
| Pharma | +2°C to +8°C | >60 consecutive minutes |
| Frozen Goods | -18°C or below | Above -15°C for >60 consecutive minutes |
For temperature-sensitive products not listed, the default parameters are +2°C to +8°C (or the shipper's specified range) with a 120-minute trigger duration, unless Underwriters have agreed otherwise in writing.
Packaging & coolant requirements
Fresh Salmon
0°C PCM gel packs. Validated endurance ≥ transit time + safety buffer; minimum 24h floor. Wet ice / dry ice not permitted as primary coolant.
Berries
0°C PCM gel packs or hybrid dry-ice with thermal buffer. Validated endurance = transit × 2, or transit + 12h (whichever is greater).
Tropical Fruit
Insulated box with or without 10–12°C PCMs. Validated endurance = transit × 2, or transit + 12h (whichever is greater).
Pharma
Pre-qualified passive shippers (VIP or high-performance EPS) with documented performance envelope. VIP recommended for summer profiles.
Frozen Goods
Dry ice (solid CO₂) required; gel packs alone not acceptable. Validated endurance ≥ transit + 24h, minimum 48h floor. Dry ice loading sheet must be retained, and packaging must allow CO₂ venting per IATA DGR.
CIO-Tag placement: The tag must be sealed inside the thermal envelope, in immediate proximity to the product — not buried in dry ice nor against the outer container wall. Recorded data must reflect the air temperature around the goods.
Flight routing & handling
Flight routing
Best endeavours to book direct flights. Maximum one intermediate stop, total airport-to-airport time ≤ 48h (unless delay is outside the Assured's control and the CIO-Tag confirms compliance).
AWB annotation
AWB must state "PERISHABLE — TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED" or "REEFER CARGO", the required range, and the IATA handling code (COL, CRT or FRO).
Pre-booking instruction
Written instruction to the carrier specifying the temperature range, temperature-controlled storage during handling, and that it applies to all segments including interline / codeshare sectors.
Inland transit
Pre- and on-carriage in reefer trucks, or passive insulation sufficient for trip duration + 4 hours, as verified by the CIO-Tag.
Deductibles
Direct Flight
1% of loss · min USD 500
Single aircraft, single flight number, no intermediate stop.
Indirect Flight
2% of loss · min USD 1,000
One intermediate stop where cargo is offloaded to a connecting aircraft.
Tarmac / Ramp Excursion
Flat 15% tarmac deductible
Excursion exceeding Trigger Duration during airline ground handling.
Active Envirotainer machinery breakdown is subject to a 4-hour waiting period; after that, the policy responds in full to the subsequent physical damage.
What is not covered
- Delay alone
- Short fluctuations below the Trigger Duration
- Packaging failure unrelated to a covered excursion
- Shipments without active monitoring (Envirotainer or CIO-Tag)
- Missing or incomplete temperature data
- Deterioration after validated packaging endurance expires (subject to SOP)
Insure your next temperature-controlled airfreight
Get a CIO-Tag-backed quote in under 60 seconds, or talk to our team about Envirotainer and pharma-grade lanes.