Atradius Atrium
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What Is Export Credit Insurance?
Export Credit Insurance also known as Export Trade Credit Insurance is designed to protect businesses selling goods or services internationally from the risk of non-payment. When you extend credit to overseas buyers, you face unique challenges such as economic instability and political events that can disrupt payment. These challenges increase overall export credit risk.
This insurance helps protect against buyer nonpaymet and support stable cash flow. It safeguards your receivables and helps maintain financial stability as you grow internationally. Many companies explore insurance export credit options to strengthen their global trading strategy.
How does export credit insurance work?
Export credit insurance works by giving you reassurance that you will be paid. If an overseas customer becomes insolvent before settling an invoice, the insurance covers a percentage of the amout owed. Most policies cover around 90 percent, depending on the insurer, policy terms, and the level of export credit risk.
This coverage applies to approved customers over the full policy year. It helps keep receivavbles secure and supports your ability to protect against buyer non-payment when trading internationally. Many businesses use export credit insurance or insurance export credit solutions to strengthen their cash flow.
Some insurer, including Atradius, also support you with debt collection. For Atradius customers, this service is included in the policy cost. It improves your chance of recovering the debt without needing to file a claim, making international export credit insurance a practical tool for managing global exposure.
Step-by-step guide to export credit insurance with Atradius
Insurance firms operate credit insurance policies in different ways. This is how credit insurance works with Atradius.
Step 1. Customer Assessment
We assess your customer and give them a risk rating, also known as a buyer rating. This indicates how likely it is that your customer will default on payment. We consider this information along with current market, economic and political risk data and then provide you with an indication of how much credit we are able to insure. We share this information with you so that you are able to make strong trading decisions based on high quality business intelligence.
Step 2. Invoice not paid – debt recovery
As soon as your invoice becomes overdue, you let us know and our debt collection department swings into action. In every case we try to recover the debt as quickly and easily as possible, preferably while retaining a good relationship with your customer. In many cases an invoice reminder letter from us is enough, although we also help organize payment plans and, if needed, will take legal action on your behalf.
Step 3. Invoice not paid – insurance pay out
If your customer will not, or cannot, pay your invoice and our Collections Team has not been able to recover the debt, we will pay out in line with your policy. We aim to do this as soon as possible and pay it direct to your account.
Types of export credit insurance
Export credit insurance has no fixed types because every export situation is different. Coverage depends on location, customer profile, and overall export credit risk. Many businesses choose flexible insurance export credit options that fit their needs.
Atradius offers one adaptable policy structure. Atradius Modula supports medium to large businesses. Atradius Speical Products cover long terms, whole turnover, or projects with multiple buyers.
We provide export credit insurance for companies of all sizes, including those needing broader international export credit insurance to protect against buyer nonpayment in global markets.
Advantages of a trade credit insurance policy
A trade insurance policy offers advantages that go far beyond peace of mind. Atradius has access to trading information on more then 250 millio companies worldwide. This insight supports your due diligence and helps you assess the creditworthiness of new and exisiting customers. It is especially valuable when entering new markets or building relationships with new buyers.
Many management boards also require credit insurance as part of a company's credit control framework. A strong policy can support access to finance and build confidence between your business and its bank and lending partners. It helps demonstrate solid risk management and strengthens your overall financial position.
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Atradius is here to help. Contact us to learn more about our coverage options or request a free, no obligation quote that includes credit reports for your largest trade partners.