With more than 2 billion parcels delivered each year, Colissimo has established itself as the preferred logistics partner for French retailers SMEs. A local network, competitive rates, and delivery to pick-up points are just some of its many advantages. But when it comes to effectively protecting your goods, is Ad Valorem Colissimo insurance really suited to business needs (lost parcels, damaged parcels)?
Market reality: According to industry statistics, approximately 0.8% of parcels are subject to incidents (loss, theft, damage). For a company shipping 500 parcels per month, this represents 4 potential incidents per month. The question is therefore not "if" but "how" to protect your business against the risks of Colissimo loss.
This strategic guide provides an objective analysis of the Ad Valorem Colissimo 2026 offering for professionals: Colissimo Assurance 2026 rates, Limits, procedures, strengths, and limitations. We will then present an overview of modern parcel insurance alternatives to help you choose the best solution for your business profile.
💡 Additional resources: See our comparison of parcel insurance offered by carriers and the hub for all Ad Valorem insurance policies.
How does Colissimo Insurance work?
Standard Liability (Included and Regulatory)
By default, all Colissimo shipments benefit from basic coverage based on weight, up to €23 per kilogram.
Concrete example: A 500g package containing a cosmetic product worth €80 would only be compensated up to €11.50 (0.5 kg × €23) in the event of loss, i.e. 14% of the actual value.
This basic protection is clearly insufficient for any business shipment exceeding €50 in value and does not protect you in the event of loss or damage to your Colissimo package.
Colissimo Ad Valorem Insurance Option: Protection at Actual Value
Ad Valorem insurance covers the actual commercial value of your goods, as declared at the time of shipment.
Key features:
- Declaration in increments: From €300 to €5,000 (Limit professionals or declared value)
- Progressive calculation: Each €100 bracket has a cost
- Mandatory subscription: Must be activated when creating the label
- Required justification: Commercial invoice in the event of a claim
La Poste Declared Value Option (VD)
For international shipments, La Poste offers a separate service called Declared Value, which combines shipping and insurance up to €5,000.
Key features:
- Integrated coverage: The first €500 of insurance is included in the base rate.
- Additional insurance: €0.45 per €100 above €500
- Areas covered: Area 1 (European Union) and Area 2 (Rest of the world + UK + Switzerland)
- Limit : €5,000 (varies depending on destination country)
Significant constraints:
- ⚠️ Mandatory packaging: Secure polyethylene envelope approved by the US Postal Service only
- ⚠️ Counter drop-off only: No drop-off at pickup points or mailboxes.
- ⚠️ Mandatory information: Weight in grams, amount in euros and SDRs, "Declared value" label
- ⚠️ Delivery against signature: Mandatory for all deliveries
Please note: This service is particularly suited to retailers regularly retailers high-value products (>€500) internationally, but requires logistics that are constrained by systematic counter processing.
Colissimo Insurance Prices: Complete Price List
Colissimo Insurance Rates 2026
Here are the official Colissimo Insurance prices for professionals in 2026:
Upper Brackets for Professionals: Colissimo insurance rate
For business accounts with a Colissimo Entreprise contract, higher price brackets are available for Ad Valorem at La Poste. Colissimo Assurance Pro rates are described below.
Source: Colissimo Business Insurance - France Offer
📊 Analysis: The effective rate decreases with value, making insurance more competitive for shipments over €1,000. However, for packages between €300 and €600 (average French e-commerce basket), the rate remains high (1.5-1.9%).
La Poste Declared Value Price: Complete Price List
What is International Declared Value?
Declared Value (VD) is a La Poste service specifically for international shipments that combines shipping and integrated insurance. Unlike Ad Valorem Colissimo France, this is a comprehensive service where the shipping cost already includes basic coverage up to €500.
Universal Service: Yes (for the general public and professionals)
Coverage: Loss, damage, or theft
Delivery: Signature required
2026 Declared Value Rates: Complete Table
The rates below include shipping + insurance up to €500. Above €500, an additional €0.45 per €100 applies.
Additional insurance (above €500):
€0.45 per €100 of additional declared value
Option for confirmation of receipt: €1.50 (return of signed confirmation slip)
Source: La Poste International Mail Guide 2025
Operational Constraints Declared Value
Mandatory Approved Packaging
⚠️ Important: Your shipments must be packaged in a secure polyethylene envelope approved by the US Postal Service or comply with the strict rules specified in the Specific Terms and Conditions of Sale.
Consequence: The use of non-compliant packaging may result in refusal of coverage orinvalidation of the insurance in the event of a claim.
📦 Where can I get approved packaging?:
- Directly at the post office
- On the LaPoste.fr website - Packaging Store
- At authorized mail establishments
Mandatory Information on the Package
Each Declared Value package must include:
- ✅ Weight in grams (printed on the package)
- ✅ Amount of the declared value in euros AND converted into SDRs (Special Drawing Rights)
- ✅ "Declared Value" label (provided by the Post Office)
DTS conversion: 1 DTS ≈ $1.30 (fluctuating rate). A package worth $1,000 should display approximately 769 DTS.
💡 La Poste provides a conversion tool at the counter or on their website.
Limitations and Critical Constraints of Parcel Insurance
⚠️ Points to note (Compensation deadlines, Exclusions, etc.)
1. Compensation Period: Cash Flow Impact
Colissimo Insurance compensation timeframe: According to our customer feedback and industry sources, the average timeframe ranges from 67 to 82 days. Breakdown of the different stages involved in resolving a lost or damaged Colissimo shipment:
- Declaration: D+0 (as soon as the incident is reported)
- La Poste investigation: Approximately one month
- File validation: 30 to 60 days
- Compensation transfer: 7 to 15 days
- AVERAGE TOTAL: 67-82 days
Sources: Customer feedback from Claisy + Sendcloud - Guide to transport dispute claims
For a more detailed breakdown of these deadlines and stages, please refer to the appendices.
Business impact: For four monthly claims of €500, this represents €2,000 tied up for 2.5 months, which is a significant cash flow burden.
2. Coverage Exclusions
Ad Valorem Colissimo insurance excludes or restricts certain categories (even in the event of Colissimo loss):
Completely excluded from Colissimo insurance:
- Cash, cheques, credit cards
- Securities
- Precious metals in ingots
- Gemstones not set
- Collectible artworks
- Irreplaceable manuscripts
Heavily restricted by Colissimo insurance:
- Jewelry and fine jewelry: Secure packaging required
- Valuable watches: Strict packaging requirements
- Electronics: Proof of reinforced packaging required
- Fragile items: Packaging in accordance with La Poste standards
Source: Colissimo insurance terms and conditions
3. Burden of Proof
In the event of a claim for a lost or damaged Colissimo package, you must provide:
- ✅ Original commercial invoice
- ✅ Proof of purchase of the shipped product
- ✅ Photos of the packaging before sealing (recommended)
- ✅ Photos of damage (if damaged)
- ✅ Colissimo shipping label
📊 Statistics: According to retailers forums, approximately 20-25% of claims are rejected due to non-compliant packaging or insufficient evidence.
4. Geographic Restriction Europe
Ad Valorem Colissimo insurance works well for:
- ✅ Metropolitan France
- ✅ French overseas territories (with conditions)
- ✅ European Union (selection of countries)
However, unlike international solutions, it becomes limited or non-existent for shipments outside Europe.
National Competitive Benchmark: Which Parcel Insurance Should You Choose?
Colissimo insurance vs Chronopost Mondial Relay Claisy
Alternatives to Colissimo Insurance on the Market in 2026
Overview of Parcel Delivery Insurance Solutions
Beyond Carrier insurance, there are several options available to optimize your insured parcel shipping:
1. Modern E-commerce Solutions
Actors: Claisy, Route, Shipsurance
- Average rate: 0.5%-1%
- Compensation timeframe: 48-72 hours
- Integration: CMS API (Claisy connector with Shopify, Claisy plugin for WooCommerce, Claisy module for Prestashop, etc.)
- Multi-Carriers: ✅ Compatible with all carriers
Focus on Claisy
Value proposition:
- Compensation within 48 hours after validation
- Coverage for shipments of high-value products up to €100,000 included
- Declaration in 3 clicks, no supporting documents required
- Compatible with Colissimo + all other carriers
📊 Full comparison: Claisy delivery insurance analysis vs. Road vs. Shipsurance
2. Transport Brokers with Parcel Transport Insurance
Actors: Boxtal, Sendcloud, Packlink, Upela, etc.
These platforms aggregate several carriers (including Colissimo, Recommandé R1/R2, etc.) and offer their own contract for insured parcel shipments.
Advantages :
- A single platform for multiple carriers
- Negotiated bulk rates
- Insurance often included or optional
Disadvantages :
- Limits limited Limits (€1,000-5,000)
- Variable compensation periods (depending on the insurance partner)
- Complexity: 3 players (Carrier)
💡 Detailed analyses:
- Sendcloud Parcel Insurance - Comprehensive Analysis
- Upela Delivery Insurance - Comprehensive Analysis
- Boxtal Parcel Delivery Insurance - Comprehensive Analysis
Decision Matrix for Choosing Parcel Insurance
To compare Colissimo insurance with other carriers, such as Colissimo vs. Chronopost visit our interactive carrier insurance comparison tool.
Alternative to Colissimo Insurance: Combine Claisy with your La Poste shipments
The true power of automation lies in native integration. Claisy connects directly to the tools (CMS or TMS) that drive your business: Shopify, Prestashop, WooCommerce, etc. The result? Zero effort, zero oversights, and perfect coverage for 100% of your shipments by migrating your Colissimo insurance to Claisy—all with compensation within one week.
Conclusion: Choose the right shipping insurance for your business
Colissimo insurance or Declared Value are reliable, tried-and-tested solutions, particularly suited to professionals who:
- We ship mainly to mainland France.
- Manage standard products (non-exclusive)
- Have cash reserves sufficient to cover 67-82 days of waiting time
- Choose the simplicity of an all-in-one solution
Its main strengths:
- Native integration with transportation
- Limit €5,000
- Unparalleled national network
Its structural limitations:
- Long compensation delays (67-82 days)
- High effective rate for average baskets (1.5-2%)
- Exclusions on high-value products
Today, the strategic question is no longer "Should I insure?" but "Which solution optimizes my protection/cost/agility ratio?"
Our Recommendation for Insuring Your Colissimo Shipments
Pragmatic approach :
- Analyze your claims history over 6-12 months (number of claims, average values)
- Calculate the annual cost of Colissimo vs. alternatives
- Assess the cash flow impact of average payment terms of 77 days.
- Test an alternative in parallel for 2-3 months.
- Make data-driven decisions: which solution truly protects your growth?
Colissimo delivery insurance is not a cost item, but an investment in operational peace of mind and customer satisfaction. Choose the one that insures not only your parcels, but also your margin, your customer service, and your reputation.
For more information: Colissimo Insurance
Claims Procedure: How to Use Colissimo Insurance or Declared Value Insurance from La Poste
Timeline and Deadlines for reporting your logistics dispute
- Colissimo Damaged (visible): Within 48 hours after delivery
- Colissimo breakage (hidden): 7 days after delivery
- Colissimo loss: From 15 days after shipment
- Maximum time limit: 6 months after shipment
Steps for Claiming a Lost or Damaged Colissimo Package
You sent an insured package with Colissimo and a problem has arisen.
Phase 1: Declaration (D+0)
- Log in to laposte.fr > Customer Area
- "My complaints" section
- Filling out the online form
- Upload supporting documents
- Obtaining a file number
Phase 2: Investigation (D+1 to D+45)
- Survey of the sorting platform concerned
- Verification of declared value and supporting documents
- Packaging analysis (compliance with standards)
- Any requests for additional information
Phase 3: Decision (D+45 to D+60)
- Notification by mail or email
- If accepted: Compensation proposal
- If denied: Detailed reason provided
- Possibility of appeal to the Post Office Ombudsman
Phase 4: Compensation (D+67 to D+82)
- Bank transfer or credit to customer account
- Closing the case
⏰ Average total time observed: 67-82 days
Sources and Resources
Official documentation:
Practical guides:
- Comparison of delivery insurance for carriers
- Hub for all Ad Valorem insurance solutions
- Delivery insurance guide with the Shopify x Claisy connector
Related articles:
- Chronopost parcel insurance Chronopost Detailed analysis, rates, scenarios
- Mondial Relay parcel insurance Mondial Relay Rates, analysis, and guide
- Packlink Ad Valorem Insurance: Analysis and Alternatives
Article written by the Claisy team, updated in January 2026 - Expertise in e-commerce transport insurance