What is Export Credit Insurance?

What exactly is Export Credit Insurance (ECI)?

Export credit insurance is a risk management strategy that protects exporters from probable nonpayment by overseas buyers owing to a variety of factors such as political insecurity, economic downturns, or buyer insolvency. ECI ensures that the exporter receives payment for the goods or services delivered by providing coverage for the exporter's accounts receivable.

What Is the Process of Export Credit Insurance?

ECI policies can be tailored to an exporter's individual needs and risk exposures, and can cover a single transaction, a portfolio of purchasers, or even all sales to a given country or region. When an insured event occurs, such as nonpayment by a foreign buyer, the exporter files a claim with the insurance provider, who subsequently compensates the exporter for the covered amount, which is often a percentage of the invoice value.

ECI plans vary in their coverage, but commonly contain the following:

• Commercial hazards: Buyer insolvency, bankruptcy, default, or protracted default (when the buyer fails to pay within a set period after the due date) are examples of commercial hazards.
• Political risks: Political risks are hazards linked with the buyer's country, such as war, revolution, currency inconvertibility, or government measures that prevent cash from being transferred.

Advantages of Export Credit Insurance

Export credit insurance provides various benefits to multinational businesses:

• Risk reduction: ECI decreases the financial risk involved with exporting goods and services, allowing businesses to confidently grow into new markets.
• Enhanced borrowing capacity: With ECI in place, exporters can use insured receivables as collateral for financing, increasing borrowing capacity and enhancing working capital management.
• Competitive advantage: ECI enables exporters to offer more appealing payment terms to their international purchasers, such as longer credit terms, giving them a competitive advantage in the global economy.
• Assistance with debt recovery: In the event of nonpayment, several ECI providers offer aid in pursuing debt recovery, utilizing their knowledge in international collections and judicial actions.

How to Apply for Export Credit Insurance

Export credit insurance is available from private insurance companies as well as government-sponsored entities. Consider the following steps when choosing the best ECI supplier and policy for your company:

• Investigate ECI providers: Identify potential ECI providers, including both private insurers and government-sponsored institutions, and assess their experience, financial strength, and reputation.
• Assess your risk exposure: Identify the unique risks associated with your export transactions, such as buyer creditworthiness, political stability of destination nations, and payment conditions.
• Compare policy alternatives: Examine the coverage, terms, and rates provided by different ECI providers, and choose the policy that best fits your company's risk profile and budget.
• Finish the application process: Provide the necessary documentation and information to the chosen ECI provider, such as your export history, buyer data, and financial records.