Advantages & Disadvantages of Credit Insurance

When it comes to export trade credit insurance, the advantages of having a policy far outweigh the disadvantages.

In fact, it could be argued that the only disadvantage of a trade credit insurance policy is its cost. However, with premiums typically starting around $3,500, this quickly becomes insignificant the moment a key customer fails to pay.

Advantages of a trade credit insurance policy

Security of cash flow

Selling on credit is an inherently risky business. Unless you demand payment upfront, your customer could fail to pay you for the goods or services you provide. A trade credit insurance policy helps secure your cash flow by protecting you against non-payment. This could typically be as a result of cash flow difficulties experienced by your customer, or even certain political events. What’s more, you’ll benefit from our industry knowledge and gain access to up to date information such as payment behaviour in different geographies and sectors.

Improved access to finance

Your trade export credit insurance policy can be helpful when looking to access finance, as many banks and lending institutions look favourably on businesses whose cash flow is secure. Having a trade credit insurance policy could help you build a strong relationship between your business and your banks or lender.

Minimise bad debt

One of the best ways you can minimise the risk of bad debt is to insure your accounts receivable. Trade credit insurance covers you when you customers fail to pay and protects you from the domino effect that can take hold when a business goes under.

Improved customer relationships

When assessing the creditworthiness of a customer or potential customer, you have the opportunity to get to know them better and to build mutually beneficial relationships. This may include tweaking your credit terms to help make sure both businesses have liquidity.

Confidence to explore new markets

Export trade credit insurance is more than a backstop to protect your business from the risk of unpaid invoices. It is also a tool that can enable trade and help your business grow. You can benefit from the market knowledge and insights of our underwriters and test new products, or explore new sectors or geographies while keeping your exposure to a risk to a minimum. Although credit insurance is not a risk transfer, as our underwriters cannot insure any trade they consider too risky, any refused credit limits will, in itself, help you identify the best areas in which to invest in trade and nurture business growth.
 

Disadvantages of a trade credit insurance policy

It will come as no surprise to learn that we at Atradius don’t believe there are any disadvantages to a trade credit insurance policy. That is not to say we don’t recognise there are limitations. For example, there will be occasions where we feel the risk is too great and will be unable to offer insurance for a buyer. However, we don’t just take these decisions in isolation. Our key underwriters are experts in their fields and will explain their decision to you. If they feel there is a high risk that your prospective customer will struggle to pay you, you can choose to act on that information and possibly seek out a safer buyer to sell your goods or services to. Rather than being a negative, this will save you money and hassle in the long run.

Get a Free No Obligation Quote

Our experts are here for you. Contact us to get your questions answered or receive a free no-obligation quote.


Disclaimer

Each publication available on or from our websites, such as, but not limited to webpages, reports, articles, publications, tips and helpful content, trading briefs, infographics, videos (each a “Publication”) is provided for information purposes only and is not intended as a recommendation or advice as to particular transactions, investments or strategies in any way to any reader. Readers must make their own independent decisions, commercial or otherwise, regarding the information provided. While we have made every attempt to ensure that the information contained in any Publication has been obtained from reliable sources, Atradius is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information in any Publication is provided ’as is’, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from its use, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied. In no event will Atradius, its related partnerships or corporations, or the partners, agents or employees thereof, be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information in any Publication, or for any loss of opportunity, loss of profit, loss of production, loss of business or indirect losses, special or similar damages of any kind, even if advised of the possibility of such losses or damages.