French e-commerce surpassed €160 billion in 2025, with more than 2.3 billion parcels shipped each year. Behind these impressive figures lies a less rosy reality: nearly 3% of shipments are damaged (loss, theft, breakage), and in 85% of cases, legal compensation covers only a fraction of the actual value.
You may have just experienced this scenario: a package containing a €2,500 MacBook Pro has been lost in the logistics maze. The Carrier compensates Carrier ... €46 (2 kg × €23/kg). Net loss: €2,454. And this is not an isolated case .
Freight insurance is not an administrative option; it is a direct safeguard for your margins, cash flow, and customer relationships. This guide explains why your Carrier default coverage Carrier a financial trap and how to truly protect the value of your e-commerce packages.
What is Cargo Insurance?
Cargo insurance, also known as ad valorem insurance or international cargo insurance, is a financial guarantee contract that covers the actual declared value of your goods during transport, regardless of Carrier .
Unlike the Carrier legal liability Carrier limited to the weight of the package), ad valorem insurance compensates you based on the market value you declare: sale price, cost price, or invoice value + transport costs + commercial margin (generally 10%).
What the Insurance Covers
- ✅ Total loss of the package during transport
- ✅ Theft (partial or total), looting, disappearance
- ✅ Breakage and damage: product damaged, crushed, wet
- ✅ Transportation accidents: collision, derailment, fire
- ✅ General average (in maritime): contribution to losses in order to save the rest of the cargo
What Basic Carrier Liability Carrier Cover
- ❌ The actual value of your products (only a flat rate per kg)
- ❌ High-value items (watches, jewelry, high-tech items are often excluded)
- ❌ Fast compensation times (60-90 days on average vs. 48-72 hours)
- ❌ Multi-carrier flexibility (one contract per Carrier)
Who Needs Transportation Insurance?
- 🎯 retailers shipping high-value products (>$100/package)
- 🎯 D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) brands selling watches, jewelry, leather goods, and high-tech products
- 🎯 Marketplace resellers (Amazon, eBay, Vinted, Catawiki, Chrono24) handling high volumes
- 🎯 B2B companies transporting industrial parts, prototypes, professional equipment
Carrier Liability Carrier Ad Valorem Insurance: Costly Confusion
Most retailers the trap after the disaster has struck. They thought they were "insured" because the Carrier insurance. This is a fatal mistake: the Carrier your goods, it only insures its legal civil liability, which is strictly capped by law.
Legal Limits on Compensation: The Weight Trap
Carriers are subject to international conventions that cap their liability based on weight, not value:
International Road Transport (CMR Convention)
Limit 8.33 SDR/kg (Special Drawing Rights)
Approximate equivalent: ~€10-12/kg depending on the exchange rate
Concrete example:
You ship a box of smartphones (5 devices × 200g = 1 kg total) worth €6,000.
Maximum CMR compensation: 1 kg × €12 = €12
Net loss: €5,988 💸
Air Transport (Montreal Convention)
Limit 22 DTS/kg
Approximate equivalent: ~26-28 €/kg
Concrete example:
An industrial prototype weighing 3 kg and worth €15,000 is lost in transit.
Maximum compensation: 3 kg × €28 = €84
Net loss: €14,916 💸
Domestic Shipping / Courier Services (Colissimo, Chronopost, DHL, UPS)
Limits according to the Carrier terms and conditions Carrier
- Colissimo: €23/kg (generally max. €5,000 with declaration option)
- Chronopost : Low basic compensation, declared value option up to €7,600 (expensive)
- DHL Express: ~$22/kg by default, limited declared value options
- UPS/FedEx: Limits , costly and restrictive options
The conclusion is clear: for any product with a value-to-weight ratio exceeding €50/kg (i.e., virtually all modern e-commerce), the Carrier legal liability Carrier completely inadequate.
Ad Valorem Insurance: Covering the True Value
Ad valorem insurance works on a radically different principle:
You declare the value of your shipment (based on your customer invoice, sale price, or replacement value).
You pay a premium proportional to this value (generally 0.6% to 1% depending on the type of product and destination).
In the event of a claim, you will be compensated up to the declared value, with no Limit per kilogram.
Types of Guarantees
"All Risks" (recommended for e-commerce): Covers loss, theft, breakage, damage, except for listed exclusions (inherent vice, defective packaging, intentional misconduct).
"Named Risks": Only covers events explicitly listed (fire, collision, shipwreck, etc.). Less protective, therefore less expensive.
Deductibles: Some contracts include a deductible (amount remaining at your expense), often between $0 and $150 depending on the contract.
Limits package: Specialized ad valorem insurance (such as Claisy) covers up to €100,000 per package, which is more than enough for 99.9% of e-commerce shipments.
Carriers' "Integrated" Insurance: What You Really Need to Know
Most carriers (Colissimo, Chronopost, DHL, UPS, FedEx, GLS) offer "declared value" or "additional insurance" options. Are these options sufficient? Rarely. Here's why!
What Colissimo, Chronopost, DHL, UPS, and FedEx Really Cover
Carrier insurance options generally Carrier as follows:
- Basic compensation (included): Limit (€23/kg for Colissimo, similar elsewhere)
- "Declared Value" option (additional fee): You declare a higher value, subject to an additional fee.
Example of Colissimo "Declared Value":
- Cost: ~2% of the declared value
- Limit : €5,000 (sometimes up to €10,000 on certain products)
- Compensation period: 60-90 days on average
- Exclusions: Numerous (see below)
Example Chronopost Insurance Option":
- Cost: Varies depending on value and destination
- Limit : €7,600
- Process: Mandatory prior declaration, strict documentation
- Delivery time: 45-90 days
Limits, Deductibles, and Hidden Conditions
Beyond cost and Limits, carrier options come with contractual pitfalls:
Limits Package: Even if you declare a high value, some carriers cap coverage at €1,000–5,000 per package. If you regularly ship watches, computers, or professional equipment, you are underinsured.
Franchises / Minima : Certains contrats incluent une franchise de 100-500 € ou un "minimum de dossier" qui rend non-rentable la déclaration pour des sinistres <500 €.
Mandatory Advance Declaration: You must declare the value at the time of shipment. Failure to do so will result in basic compensation only. With high volumes, this is a significant operational constraint.
Hyper-Strict Documentation: Purchase invoice + sales invoice + photos before shipment + certificate of authenticity (for luxury items) + proof of deposit... The file can take hours to compile.
Major Exclusions: The Fine Print That Kills
Carriers systematically exclude or restrict certain categories:
- ❌ Jewelry, Watches: Often excluded or capped at €500-1,000 (even with option)
- ❌ Precious metals, precious stones: Total exclusion
- ❌ High-value high-tech: Computers >€2,000, smartphones >€1,000 often restricted
- ❌ Art, Antiques: Exclusion or severe restriction
- ❌ Prototypes, one-off samples: Difficulty proving value
- ❌ Glass, Ceramics, Fragile: Covered only if professionally packaged and certified
- ❌ Alcohol, Tobacco: Frequent exclusion
- ❌ Refurbished/Second-hand products: Disputed value
Strict Reporting Deadlines:
Most carriers impose very short deadlines for reporting a claim:
- Visible damage: Specific reservations on the delivery note + declaration within 2-3 business days
- Hidden damage: Report within 7 days of receipt
- Total loss: Report within 21 days after the scheduled delivery date
After these deadlines, no compensation is possible, even if you have paid for the insurance option.
Why Use a Specialized Third-Party Insurance Company?
Faced with the limitations of carrier insurance, a growing number ofretailers B2B companies are turning to independent specialist insurers such as Claisy. Here are the five key advantages.
1. Universal Multi-Carrier Coverage
The problem with carriers: You have to take out separate insurance for each Carrier Colissimo, Chronopost, DHL, UPS, FedEx, GLS, TNT, etc.). If you use five different carriers depending on the destination, you have to manage five contracts, five declaration processes, and five contacts.
The solution with third-party insurance: A single contract covers all your carriers. Do you ship with Colissimo on Monday, DHL on Tuesday, and UPS on Wednesday? Same protection, same process, same contact person.
Operational impact:
✅ Centralization of disputes: a single dashboard to track all your claims
✅ Unified process: same document checklist, same deadlines, same quality of service
✅ Accounting simplicity: a single monthly/quarterly invoice
✅ Commercial flexibility: you can change Carrier renegotiating the insurance
2. Rates Unrelated to Transportation Costs
The problem with carriers: The cost of insurance is often a percentage of the shipping price, not the insured value. The paradoxical result is that the more you negotiate your shipping rates (which is in your best interest), the more expensive the insurance becomes proportionally.
In addition, carriers apply flat rates (e.g., €10 to cover €500) that become prohibitive at high volumes.
The solution with third-party insurance: The cost is a direct percentage of the insured value (e.g., 0.75% at Claisy). Simpler, more predictable, generally 30-60% cheaper for the same volume.
Comparative Example
retailer profile:
- 100 packages/month
- Average value: €800 per package
- Total monthly value shipped: €80,000
Option A: Carrier Insurance Carrier Colissimo Declared Value)
- Cost: ~2% of value = €1,600/month
- Annual cost: €19,200
- Limit package: €5,000 (insufficient for some shipments)
- Compensation period: 60-90 days
Option B: Specialized insurance (Claisy)
- Cost: 0.75% of the value = $600/month
- Annual cost: €7,200
- Limit package: €100,000 (more than enough)
- Compensation timeframe: 48-72 hours
Annual savings: €12,000 (62% cheaper) + 20x faster compensation + Limits higher Limits
3. Quick and Easy Compensation
The problem with carriers: The claims process is managed by the Carrier , which has an obvious conflict of interest (pay less = preserve its margin). Consequences:
- Long lead times: 30-90 days on average, sometimes 120 days during peak season
- Excessive documentation: The Carrier repeatedly Carrier additional documents to delay or deny compensation.
- High rejection rate: Minor packaging defect, reservation deemed "imprecise," deadline exceeded by 24 hours... and your file is rejected.
- Lack of transparency: No online tracking, no visibility on progress
The solution with third-party insurance:
- Insurer's declaration: Within 21 days of the scheduled delivery date
- ✅ 100% digital process: Online declaration in 5 minutes via a dedicated dashboard
- ✅ Real-time tracking: You can see the status of your claim (documents received, under review, approved, compensated).
- ✅ Target timeframe: 48-72 hours: For complete files, compensation by bank transfer within 2-3 business days (vs. 60-90 days Carrier).
- ✅ Complete independence: The insurer has no ties to the Carrier, so there are no conflicts of interest.
- ✅ Dedicated support: A team available via email/chat to assist you in putting together your application
Concrete Business Impact:
💰 Cash flow preserved: You reimburse your customer on D+1, and you are compensated on D+3. Your cash flow is unaffected for three months.
😊 Customer satisfaction: You can immediately reimburse the customer without waiting for compensation Carrier. Satisfied customer = loyalty + positive word of mouth.
⏱️ Internal time saved: Your teams no longer spend 5-10 hours per claim following up with the Carrier, compiling complex files, and negotiating compensation.
How to Choose the Right Cargo Insurance?
The transport insurance market has become significantly more structured in recent years. Here is an operational checklist with 15 criteria for effectively comparing offers.
"Product" Criteria (What Is Covered)
- ✅ Types of products accepted: Watches, jewelry, high-tech items, refurbished items, second-hand items, fragile items (glass/ceramic), art, prototypes, legal CBD, luxury leather goods?
- ✅ Maximum unit value per package: €5,000? €10,000? €50,000? €100,000?
- ✅ Geographic coverage: National only? Europe? Worldwide? Overseas territories?
- ✅ Modes of transport covered: Road, sea, air, rail, combined?
Criteria "Amounts & Limits"
- ✅ Limit package: Recommended minimum €10,000, ideal €100,000
- ✅ Limit claim: Important if you lose multiple packages in the same incident
- ✅ Limit : Some insurers cap the total compensation per year.
- ✅ Deductible: $0 (ideal) or $50–$150 depending on your risk profile
Process & Technology Criteria
- ✅ E-commerce CMS integration: Native plugins for Shopify, WooCommerce, PrestaShop, Magento
- ✅ Carrier API: Direct connection to your TMS/OMS to automatically secure each shipment?
- ✅ Smart automation: Automatic activation based on a value threshold (e.g., auto-insure all packages >$150) or destination (e.g., auto-insure US/UK shipments systematically)?
Criteria "Complaints & Service"
- ✅ Declaration process: 100% digital with a clear interface or PDF form to be sent by email?
- ✅ Délai moyen de traitement : <72h (excellent), 7-15 jours (correct), >30 jours (à éviter)
- ✅ Quality of support: Responsive support (email, chat, phone)? Document checklist provided? Real-time tracking?
- ✅ Contract transparency: Clear terms and conditions, precisely listed exclusions, no hidden clauses?
Best Practices to Ensure Your Compensation
Even with the best insurance in the world, a poorly prepared claim can delay or block your compensation. Here are the golden rules for maximizing your chances.
Before Shipping: Packaging Is Your First Line of Defense
40% of claims are denied due to packaging that is deemed non-compliant. Investing in packaging is profitable.
Professional Packaging Rules
📦 Suitable box:
- Double corrugation (mini) for fragile or valuable items >$500
- Triple fluting for very fragile items or items valued at over €2,000
- Adjusted dimensions: no more than 5 cm of space around the product
🛡️ Internal protection:
- Multi-material cushioning: polystyrene chips + kraft paper + bubble wrap (minimum 3 layers)
- Drop test: Drop the package from a height of 1.20 m. If it withstands the fall, it's OK. If not, reinforce it.
- Personal protection: Each fragile item must be packed separately before being placed in a box.
🔒 Secure closure:
- Reinforced adhesive tape (min. 50 mm wide) in complete H shape (top + bottom + corners)
- No string, no staples (weakens the cardboard)
🎯 Visual neutrality:
- Never display Apple, Samsung, or Rolex logos on the box (attracts theft).
- Neutral brown box, no references to "High-Tech" or "Jewelry"
📸 Visual Documentation:
- Take photos of: Product before packaging (6 angles) + product in open packaging + closed box with label
- Keep these photos for at least 6 months.
For more details, please refer to our guide on packaging with different types of products.
During Transport / Upon Delivery: Reservations Save Your File
30% of compensation claims are rejected due to missing or poorly worded reservations. Train your B2B customers or logistics teams.
How to Make Effective Reservations
- ❌ Unnecessary reservation (too vague and therefore rejected by carriers): "Damaged package"
- ✅ Effective (accurate) reserve: "Cardboard box dented in upper right corner measuring 15×10 cm, tear on left side measuring 8 cm, sound of loose parts inside, torn plastic film."
Golden Rules for Reserves:
- State your case BEFORE signing: Once you have signed the delivery note without reservation, you lose 80% of your chances of compensation.
- Be extremely precise: Locate (corner, side), quantify (dimension in cm), describe (sunken, torn, wet, suspicious noise).
- Take photos immediately: Closed package with visible damage (6 angles) + damaged contents once opened
- NEVER sign "subject to unpacking" alone: Always add a precise description, even if you have not yet opened the package.
What to Do If the Delivery Driver Refuses to Accept the Reservation?
Some delivery drivers under pressure refuse to wait for you to make a complaint. Tactics:
- Write down the reservations yourself on the paper slip + take a photo
- Simply refuse the package if there is obvious damage (legal right).
- Contact Carrier customer service immediately Carrier within the hour) to report the delivery driver's refusal + send a confirmation email with photos.
In the Event of a Disaster: Responsiveness and Methodology
Declaration Timeline (Standard Deadlines)
Visible damage:
- Reservations on delivery note: Immediate (day of delivery)
- Insurer's declaration: Within 3 business days
Hidden damage:
- Insurer's declaration: Within 7 days of receipt
- Reason: Damage not visible upon delivery (e.g., electronic component broken during transport inside the package)
Total loss:
- Insurer's declaration: Within 21 days of the scheduled delivery date
⚠️ After these deadlines = automatic refusal, even with the best insurance.
Checklist of Documents for Complete File
📋 Required documents:
- ✅ Purchase invoice (if you are a reseller) or Sales invoice (if you are retailer) → Proves the value
- ✅ Shipping label ( Carrier proof of deposit) → Proves that you have shipped the item
- ✅ Delivery note with reservations (if damage is apparent) → Proves the damage observed
- ✅ Photos: Damaged package (6 sides) + damaged contents (10-15 detailed photos) → Visual evidence
- ✅ Summary of the incident: Detailed description (what, when, how, damage observed)
📋 Additional documents (depending on product type):
- ✅ Certificate of authenticity (watches, luxury bags, art)
- ✅ Repair invoice (if product is repairable and estimate has been provided)
- ✅ Proof of market value (for rare products: screenshot of market price, comparable items sold)
Transportation Insurance by Sector: Real-World Use Cases
Each sector has specific needs. Here is how transport insurance applies in practice.
E-commerce & Retail
Issue:
- High volume (hundreds to thousands of packages/month)
- Low to medium unit value (€50-500)
- Pressure on margins (only 5-15%)
- Need for automation (no time to manually declare each shipment)
Average loss ratio: 1.5-2.5% depending on products
Recommended Solution:
- ✅ Automated insurance via API/Webhook (CMS integration)
- ✅ Automatic activation threshold (e.g., all packages >$150)
- ✅ Multi-carrier coverage (commercial flexibility)
Concrete ROI:
Savings of 60-80% vs. Carrier insurance + time savings (no manual claims) + cash flow preserved (compensation within 48-72 hours vs. 60-90 days)
High-Tech & Electronics
Issue:
- High-value items (targeted theft: smartphones, laptops, game consoles)
- Fragile products (screens, electronic components)
- High value (€500–3,000 per unit)
- Frequent exclusions in standard carrier contracts
Average Claims Rate: 3-4% (double the overall average)
Recommended Solution:
- ✅ Ad valorem insurance up to €100,000 per package
- ✅ Specific high-tech coverage (smartphones, laptops, components accepted)
- ✅ Mandatory reinforced packaging (certified shockproof)
Luxury & High-End Fashion
Issue:
- Extreme value-to-weight ratio (watch €8,000 = 0.5 kg)
- Ridiculous compensation from Carrier (€6 for €8,000)
- Products often excluded from standard carrier insurance policies
- High risk of counterfeiting/fraud (requires expertise)
Recommended Solution:
- ✅ Specialized luxury insurance with product expertise
- ✅ Anti-fraud process (authenticity verification, enhanced tracking)
- ✅ Coverage for watches, jewelry, and designer leather goods
For more details: Luxury Watch Parcel Insurance
B2B Industry & Professional Equipment
Issue:
- Critical parts: The loss of a single part can block a production line.
- Indirect impact: Production stoppage = €10,000–50,000/day in losses
- Very high unit value (€5,000–50,000 per shipment)
- Complex Incoterms: Who bears the risk (EXW, FCA, DDP)?
Recommended Solution:
- ✅ International door-to-door insurance (covers the entire journey, including customs)
- ✅ Incoterms expertise (advice on who should provide insurance according to the commercial contract)
- ✅ Coverage for prototypes, one-off parts, and sensitive equipment
For more details: Industrial Equipment Shipping Insurance
Conclusion: Don't Let Transportation Be Your Achilles' Heel Anymore
Freight insurance is not an expense, it is a direct investment in your profitability:
💰 Margin protection: You no longer lose €2,000 on a claim compensated at €46
💸 Cash flow preservation: Compensation within 48-72 hours vs. 60-90 days
😊 Customer loyalty: You can reimburse immediately without waiting for the Carrier
⏱️ Operational time savings: Digital process vs. endless carrier disputes
📊 Accounting predictability: Fixed cost % of value vs. unpredictable claims
The companies that will succeed in e-commerce in 2026 will no longer be those that ship the most packages, but those that have complete control over their logistics risk from start to finish.
By shifting from a mindset of "accepting the risks" ( Carrier liability) to one of "guaranteeing value" (independent ad valorem insurance), you transform a potential loss into a competitive advantage.
Are you shipping valuable items? Secure it with real insurance.
To Go Further
Additional Resources
Specialized Guides by Product Type
📦 Parcel Insurance: The Complete Guide 2026
⌚ Luxury Watch Transport Insurance (Chrono24, Dealers)
💎 High-End Leather Goods and Jewelry Insurance
🏭 Industrial & Medical Equipment Shipping Insurance
💰 Insuring a High-Value Parcel: Complete Guide
Comparisons of Carriers and Platforms
🚚 Colissimo / La Poste Insurance: Complete Analysis
⚡ Chronopost Insurance Chronopost Rates and Limits
✈️ DHL Insurance: What You Need to Know
📦 UPS Insurance: Detailed Guide
🌐 Platform Insurance Comparison (Sendcloud, Packlink, Upela)
Operational Guides
🤖 Automate Your Parcel Insurance (API, Webhooks, CMS)
🎄 Peak Season Guide: Secure Your Deliveries During the Busy Season
📜 CMR Convention: Compensation and Legal Limits
🗺️ Encyclopedia of Parcel Insurance (Decision-Making Hub)
E-commerce solutions
🛍️ Best E-commerce Parcel Insurance 2026: Comparison
🔀 Parcel Insurance Comparison Tool: Find the Best Option