(01) A firm that offers to transport merchandise for hire and must accept shipments from anyone who wishes to use its services. Different laws and rules govern common carriers. Private or contract carriers that only transport the goods of those with whom they have made agreements. (02) As per provisions of the Carriers Act, 1865 the common carrier denotes a person, other than the government, engaged in the business of transporting for hire property from place to place, by land or inland navigation, for all persons indiscriminately.
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A carrier (such as a shipping company or railroad) who offers his vessel or other mode of transportation to the public for the purpose of transporting merchandise.
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“A common carrier is someone or a business that carries people or property from one place to another for payment. When the common carrier transports people, the term is important in certain accidental death contracts. When the common carrier transports property, the term is important for trucker insurance.Accidental Death
Often an accidental death insurance provision will pay double indemnity if the death takes place on a common carrier. For example, if one had $100,000 of accidental death and died in an automobile accident, the company would pay the beneficiary $100,000. If the insured dies as a passenger on a bus line, on a regularly scheduled route, the company would pay $200,000.
Trucker
In trucking insurance, a common carrier of property is distinguished from a contract carrier or one who hauls under contract for only one entity. Truckers that are common carriers are required to furnish proof of cargo insurance with the Interstate Commerce Commission. (See Truckers Policy).”
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UK: A person who carries goods for ‘all and sundry’ willing to pay a reasonable charge. Such a carrier may be of a particular product over a particular route but if he limits the service to a particular sector he becomes a private carrier. A common carrier’s liability at common law for the goods is strict, subject only to the defences of: action of the Queen’s enemies, Act of God, fault of the owner, inherent vice. Railways are not common carriers and many road hauliers use the Road Haulage Association Conditions of Carriage.