Yes, it is possible to insure the value of a parcel shipped with DPD, but two concepts that are often confused must be distinguished: the standard liability of the Carrier, which is capped and calculated based on weight, and the optional, paid-for ad valorem insurance, which covers the declared value of the goods. This article details, based on the DPD France General Terms and Conditions of Sale effective as of January 1, 2026 (Article 6 regarding insurance), what is actually covered, up to what amount, what is excluded, and how to obtain compensation. It applies to DPD France and primarily to business shipments: the terms and conditions of other entities in the network or intermediary service providers should not be applied here.
Are DPD parcels insured by default?
Sending a parcel via DPD does not mean that its actual commercial value is covered. As a freight forwarder, DPD is liable in the event of loss, partial loss, or damage, but within the limits set forth in its Terms and Conditions and in Decree No. 2017-461 of March 31, 2017 (standard contract applicable to the road transport of goods).
For shipments weighing less than three metric tons, the standard liability limit may not exceed:
- 33 € per kilogram of gross weight of missing or damaged goods;
- €1,000 per lost, incomplete, or damaged parcel, regardless of its weight and dimensions;
- €660 per parcel for DPD Relais and DPD Retour products, which are subject to a reduced limit.
In practice, the lower limit of the two calculations applies. A 5-kg parcel containing goods worth €800 will not automatically result in compensation of €800: standard liability in this case is limited to 5 × 33 = €165. The amount actually paid then depends on proof of the damage, the nature of the shipment, and compliance with the terms of the contract.
This principle of weight limit is found in most carrier liability regimes, including internationally under the CMR Convention. We detail these mechanisms and their limitations in our guide on the CMR Convention and compensation for parcels.
What is DPD ad valorem insurance?
To cover the actual value of a shipment beyond the standard limits, DPD offers a type of insurance known as “ad valorem” insurance, which is purchased through DPD at the time the shipment is created by declaring the amount to be insured.
Its main features, according to Section 6.2 of the Terms and Conditions:
- It concerns the financial consequences of the loss of or damage to goods during transport;
- It covers the declared goods, up to the declared amount;
- The limit is set at €20,000 per parcel;
- This Limit is capped at €1,500 per parcel for the DPD Relais delivery option at Pickup locations;
- It is contingent upon compliance with the conditions for acceptance of shipments (Article 3) and payment of the corresponding premium.
The concept of ad valorem insurance, which is common among many carriers, is explained in greater detail in our article on ad valorem insurance.
How much does DPD parcel insurance cost?
This is the most frequently asked question, and the honest answer is that no single public rate is listed in the publicly available documents. The Terms and Conditions mention the payment of a “corresponding premium” without publishing a rate schedule. The price of the insurance depends on the declared amount, the service selected, and the policy applicable to the business account.
In practice, the bonus amount can be verified when creating the shipment in the shipping portal, or directly with your DPD sales representative. You should therefore be wary of articles that cite a fixed percentage: no official figures confirm this in the sources consulted.
What does DPD's ad valorem insurance cover?
Ad valorem insurance covers proven property damage to the declared goods, up to the declared amount. It applies, in particular, in the event of loss or damage occurring during transit, including when the loss results from a force majeure event, subject to the exclusions detailed below.
There are three key points that are rarely explained:
- Compensation is calculated based on the original invoice amount (excluding tax ) for the merchandise, not on its retail price or resale value.
- Depreciation applies even when ad valorem insurance has been purchased. For equipment in use for more than one year, the indemnity is equal to the purchase price excluding taxes, reduced by 20% for each year of use beyond the first anniversary. Used equipment insured at its purchase value may therefore be compensated at a significantly lower amount.
- Coverage is limited to the declared amount and the terms of the contract limits . Under-declaring the value is equivalent to under-insuring the parcel.
What are the exclusions under DPD insurance?
It is important to distinguish between three categories of exclusions, which are often mistakenly conflated.
1. Exclusions specific to the ad valorem coverage. The insurance does not cover:
- indirect losses and non-pecuniary damages (loss of business, loss of market share, loss of orders, commercial damage);
- the consequences of a delayed delivery;
- damages resulting from a fault, omission, or breach by the sender or the recipient;
- damage resulting from missing, insufficient, or defective packaging, wrapping, marking, or labeling;
- losses or damage resulting from the very nature of the goods (inherent defect, drying out, leakage);
- damage resulting from acts of terrorism, strikes, wars, or nuclear or cyber incidents.
2. Goods Excluded from Transport. The fact that DPD has physically accepted a shipment does not constitute a guarantee. The General Terms and Conditions exclude several categories or require prior written authorization for them, including:
- jewelry, precious metals, gemstones, pearls, silverware, and currency;
- banknotes, foreign currency, stocks, bonds, securities, and payment instruments;
- works of art, antiques, collectibles, and furs;
- perishable goods stored at controlled temperatures, plants and vegetation;
- live or dead animals and perishable biological materials;
- dangerous goods (ADR), waste, regulated products;
- weapons, ammunition, and military equipment;
- narcotics and certain pharmaceutical products;
- counterfeit goods, tobacco, and alcohol (unless otherwise specified);
- luggage and personal belongings;
- Shipments with postage due or cash on delivery.
For these goods, DPD may disclaim liability in the event of loss, theft, or damage, unless otherwise specifically agreed upon in advance.
3. Packaging and Compliance Issues. Insurance does not waive the shipper’s obligations. The mere fact that DPD accepts a parcel does not constitute validation of the sturdiness or adequacy of its packaging. Inadequate packaging alone can void the coverage. Our packaging guidelines help ensure a shipment’s safety and preserve your right to compensation in the event of a claim.
How do I get compensation from DPD in the event of loss or damage?
The quality of the reservations determines the outcome of the claim. Upon delivery, the recipient must make specific, complete, quantified, dated, and signed reservations on the delivery slip, on the driver’s or Relais Pickup terminal, or in the myDPD portal, as applicable. A vague statement such as “subject to unpacking” does not carry the same weight as an exact description of the damage.
These reservations must then be confirmed:
- For domestic shipments: by submitting a written complaint via certified mail with return receipt requested, within 3 business days of delivery (excluding Sundays and holidays);
- For international shipping: hidden damage (damage not immediately apparent) must be reported within 7 business days for road transport and within 14 business days for intercontinental air transport, counting from the day after delivery.
In the absence of valid claims, the burden of proof is reversed: it is up to the claimant to prove that the damage occurred during transport. The claim file must include, in particular, the name and customer ID, the parcel number, the sales invoice excluding tax, a sworn statement confirming that no insurance was in place or a confirmation of ad valorem insurance coverage, and, for partial damage or loss, the reservations filed and a copy of the substantiated complaint. All documents must be submitted within three months following the day after the shipment date, and the statute of limitations for road transport is one year.
A useful practice—though not required by the Terms and Conditions—is to keep photographs of the parcel, the outer packaging, the internal padding, the label, and the damaged merchandise. The question of whether the sender or the recipient is entitled to file a claim also depends on the transfer of ownership and risk: we address this in our article on the transfer of ownership of a parcel.
Does DPD insurance cover delays?
No. Ad valorem insurance expressly excludes liability for the consequences of a delay. Furthermore, DPD’s delivery times are approximate, and no automatic compensation is payable for a mere delay. For damages other than loss or damage—including delays—DPD’s liability is limited to the cost of the service, with a cap of €7,500 per shipment, and is contingent upon prior formal notice as well as proof of a loss directly attributable to the delay.
DPD Insurance, DPD Secure, and Secure Drop-Off: What Are the Differences?
DPD Secure does not insure the value of the contents. It is a delivery option that requires the recipient to enter a security code sent via text message and email, intended for sensitive parcels or those at risk of theft. It secures the delivery, not the insured value.
Please note: A parcel covered by ad valorem damage insurance purchased through DPD cannot be delivered to a secure location. Therefore, these two options cannot be combined.
Take It a Step Further: Protect the True Value of Your Shipments
Standard weight-based liability and ad valorem insurance cover part of the risk, but leave blind spots for a retailer or logistics provider: caps and depreciation deductions, numerous exclusions, strict claim deadlines, and compensation contingent upon the carrier's decision and the submission of a complete file.
That is precisely the area covered by Claisy. Our parcel insurance is independent of Carrier: it provides compensation based on the declared value within 48 to 72 hours, without waiting for the outcome of the Carrier process, and it applies regardless of the Carrier used, including DPD. Pricing is ad valorem and on a sliding scale based on volume (less than 0.75% Excluding VAT of the declared value), with no hidden costs.
Beyond insurance, outsourcing the management of transportation- disputes s helps reduce the operational burden and maintain customer satisfaction. We discuss this approach in detail in our article on outsourcing transportation- disputes s to improve the NPS.