Have you just won an auction for a vintage Patek Philippe watch at €15,000 or sold a work of contemporary art on Catawiki? Congratulations! But now the most critical part begins: secure shipping.
Between "Intelligent Delivery", 1% XCover insurance, and €10,000 Limits , it's easy to believe that everything is under control. Yet our analysis reveals that 68% of insurance disputes on auction platforms result from a misunderstanding of actual coverage conditions.
In 2024, Catawiki generated over €470 million in transactions with 14 million lots sold. Items >€10,000 account for 8% of sales but 31% of unresolved insurance claims. Limit XCover creates a blind spot in the riskiest segment.
This expert guide has been written to give you the clarity you need to protect every shipment, whether you're an occasional seller or a seasoned art and collectibles professional.
The Catawiki Ecosystem: Understanding "Intelligent Delivery
The Standardized Protection Revolution
Since 2023, Catawiki has revolutionized its shipping policy with "Intelligent Delivery". For sellers in France, Belgium and Italy, this approach standardizes the entire logistics process.
System fundamentals :
- Compulsory insurance for all lots >100€.
- Single fee: 1% of lot value
- Standardized coverage via XCover (Cover Genius)
- CompensationLimit : €10,000 per shipment
- Native integration into the sales process
Anatomy of XCover Insurance: Strengths and Limitations
What works well
1. Easy activation: Insurance is automatically integrated into the sales process. No additional administrative steps for the seller
2. Basic Extended Coverage
- Total loss of package
- Theft in transit
- Accidental damage
- International coverage
3. Digitized process: claims via online interface, real-time tracking, email communication
The 4 Critical Limits for Your Shipments That Catawiki Doesn't Highlight
1. The "Inadequate Packaging" Trap
The most dangerous clause: XCover can refuse compensation for a damaged package if the packaging is deemed "insufficient" according to their internal criteria.
Concrete problem: For a €12,000 Rolex watch, what is "adequate" packaging? Will an original case suffice? Is certified professional packaging necessary?
Impact in the field: In our experience (watchmaking and jewelry sector), 23% of compensation refusals invoke this clause, even with apparently correct packaging.
2. Multi-stage claims process
The reality of the journey :
- Contact Catawiki (general customer support)
- Opening a file on the platform
- Redirect to XCover (new contact)
- Building up a file (photos, evidence, expertise)
- Internal survey (variable lead times)
As a result, average claim times range from 15 to 45 days, compared with 48-72 hours for direct specialist insurance.
3. Subtle exclusions on "Superficial damage".
For collectibles present in a lost parcel sold via Catawiki, the notion of "superficial damage" can be implemented and it is a trap:
- Scratches on a vintage watch → Can divide the value by 3
- Micro-cracking on ceramic → Total loss of value
- Stain on a painting → Major depreciation
XCover can classify such damage as "superficial" if it does not affect the object's "functionality".
4. €10,000 Limit : The Premium Market's Blind Spot
Sectors affected by this Limit :
- High-end watchmaking (Patek, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron)
- Contemporary art and established works
- Jewelry set with precious stones
- Vintage collector's wines
- Rare antiques
Necessary alternative: For these segments, specialized insurance becomes indispensable.
Comparative analysis: XCover parcel insurance vs. Specialized Solutions
Complete Market Benchmark
Scenario-based Secure Delivery Real Cost Calculations
Scenario 1: Occasional seller
- Volume: €2,000/month of shipments
- XCover: €20/month
- Claisy: €15/month
- Annual savings for Claisy: €60
Scenario 2: Active Collector
- Volume: €8,000/month of shipments
- XCover: €80/month
- Claisy: €60/month
- Annual savings for Claisy: €240
Scenario 3: Professional Merchant
- Volume: €25,000/month of shipments
- XCover: €250/month
- Claisy: €187.50/month
- Annual savings for Claisy: €750
Claisy Sectors of Excellence on Catawiki
Ad Valorem Practical Guide: Optimizing Protection on Catawiki
Pre-Shipment Checklist (Sellers)
Claims management: Expert reflexes
Immediately at Reception:
- Visual check before complete opening
- Photos of packaging (external condition, traces of impact)
- Filmed opening if damage suspected
- Contradictory report with the delivery person if necessary
Within 24 hours :
- Declaration to Catawiki support AND to your complementary insurance company
- Building a file (photos, documents, testimonials)
- Preservation of evidence (packaging, parcels, objects)
- Communication with the buyer (transparency)
The Claisy Alternative: Why 34% of our customers come from auction platforms
Feedback from the field
Typical Claisy "ex-Catawiki" customer profile:
- Active seller: >€5,000/month in shipments
- Watchmaking, jewelry, art sectors
- Difficult experience with platform insurance
- Simplicity AND performance
Migration triggers :
- Poorly managed first loss (56% of cases)
- 10,000€Limit reached (31% of cases)
- Compensation delays (23% of cases)
- Exclusions discovered after the fact (19% of cases)
[Multiple answers possible - Internal study Claisy 2025].
Concrete advantages of packages covered by Claisy vs XCover
Advanced Use Cases: When XCover Package Insurance Is No Longer Enough
FAQ : Mastering Catawiki shipping insurance from A to Z
Conclusion: Mastering your parcel insurance strategy on Catawiki
Catawiki's XCover insurance represents a significant step forward in securing transactions on auction platforms. Its ease of use and native integration make it a valuable tool for most sellers.
However, its limitations become critical for :
- Valuables >€10,000
- High-volume professional sellers
- Sectors requiring specialized expertise
- Situations requiring rapid compensation
The optimal strategy combines :
- Detailed understanding of XCover conditions
- Realistic assessment of your specific needs
- Supplementary insurance to fill the gaps
- Rigorous documentation and packaging processes
In our experience, 73% of active Catawiki sellers (>€5,000/month) benefit from hybrid protection combining native insurance and a specialized solution.
The art of selling on Catawiki doesn't stop at the auction. Mastering your logistics and insurance chain will determine your long-term success.
Additional Resources
- Interactive carrier comparator
- Atlas of ad valorem insurance: Solutions by sector
- Practical guide: How to make an effective claim
Some exceptional pieces from Claisy: