For many professionals, GLS is a reliable logistics partner for domestic and European shipments. However, when a parcel is lost, stolen, or damaged, the issue of compensation can quickly become a major headache. Does the insurance offered by GLS provide genuine protection, or does it merely meet the legal minimum requirements?
This guide does more than just provide a general overview of the terms and conditions. It delves deep into GLS’s claims settlement system to reveal how it actually works, its Limits low Limits , strict deadlines, and the claims process. By comparing it to a specialized, independent solution like Claisy, we give you the tools you need to make an informed decision and effectively protect your business.
You can also check out our comparison of carriers' parcel insurance options and our comprehensive guide to ad valorem insurance, including an analysis of CMS offerings and logistics solutions.
How GLS "protection" works: no insurance, just statutory compensation
This is the key point to understand: GLS does not offer optional integrated ad valorem insurance. The only "protection" included in their services is the basic fixed-amount compensation required by law.
This is therefore not insurance based on the actual value of your goods, but rather the minimum level of legal liability that GLS agrees to cover in the event of proven negligence on their part.
- For domestic shipments: Liability is limited to €23 per kilogram of missing or damaged gross weight, with a total cap of €690 per parcel
- For international shipments: Liability is governed by the CMR Convention, at 8.33 SDR (approximately €10) per kilogram
For a lightweight, high-value item (such as a smartphone, a piece of jewelry, or a luxury item), this weight-based compensation is therefore woefully inadequate.
Limits conditions: virtually no protection for professionals
GLS's compensation model poses a major risk to any company shipping goods worth more than a few dozen euros.
Real-life example:
You ship a new 200-gram smartphone worth €1,200 within France. The parcel is lost by GLS.
- Calculation of compensation: €23 × 0.2 kg = €4.60
- Your net loss: €1,195.40
This system makes shipping any valuable item without external insurance extremely risky.
The claims process: a strict procedure with uncertain timelines
To receive compensation from GLS, you must follow a strict procedure that is not fully standardized (across all countries).
- The Claims Process: Claims must be filed by the sender (the GLS account holder) through their customer portal or by certified mail. There is no modern, transparent tracking portal for handling Dispute.
- Strict Deadlines: You must meet very tight deadlines for your application to be accepted. Any failure to do so will result in automatic rejection
- Refund Timeline: The refund timeline is not guaranteed. It depends on the duration of the internal investigation conducted by GLS to determine its own liability. In practice, this process can take anywhere from several weeks to several months. GLS acts as both judge and jury in this matter
GLS Insurance vs. Claisy: The Legal Minimum vs. Maximum Coverage
When you compare GLS’s compensation model with a true ad valorem insurance policy like Claisy’s, the difference is night and day.
GLS Ad Valorem Offers... What a Maze
GLS Insurance Rates, Limits Conditions by Country: An Exclusive Comparison
This is where the maze begins. GLS insurance coverage varies significantly from country to country.
The fragmentation of GLS insurance pricing options poses a major operational risk for retailer across Europe. The need to manage different insurance rules for each market creates administrative complexity that costs time and money. This is a perfect example of friction that hinders growth.
GLS Claims Procedure: A Flexible Process
The process for filing a claim with GLS also depends on the country from which you are shipping.
- In Italy, the process is relatively streamlined and digitized, with clear options to select when shipping using declared value through GLS
- In France, signing up for Ad Valorem insurance is a manual process. It must be negotiated in advance as part of your business contract, and each shipment of value often requires a specific declaration. There is no "one-click" option in the back office; the system remains based on declared value.
- In Belgium and the Netherlands, the procedure generally follows the German model, with a more accessible ad valorem option but Limits that are Limits lower than in Italy
In any case, you will need to provide a complete set of documents: proof of purchase, a receipt showing the purchase price, Packaging photos of any damage.
An alternative to GLS insurance: Connect to Claisy in less than 5 minutes
The true power of automation lies in native integration. Claisy offers a genuine alternative to GLS insurance and integrates directly with the tools that power your business: Shopify, PrestaShop, WooCommerce, and more. The result? Zero effort, zero oversights, 100% coverage for all your shipments, and seamless coverage with Claisy without changing your GLS routines.
Conclusion: From Complexity to Clarity—Choose Efficiency
The Fragmented Assessment
Navigating the GLS insurance system in 2025 means coming to terms with a fragmented reality that directly undermines your profitability:
- 🇮🇹 In Italy: maximum insurance coverage of €2,500
- 🇫🇷 In France: Offer not available as of the date this article was written
- 🇧🇪 In Belgium: maximum insurance coverage of €750
- 🇩🇪 In Germany: Offer available
Why This Complexity Exists
GLS is first and foremost a Carrier, not an insurer. Their priority is to deliver parcels, not to pay out on claims. The insurance options are:
- Fragmented because they are managed by autonomous national subsidiaries
- Limited because they are designed to meet the legal minimum
- Defensive, because GLS acts as both judge and jury in the evaluation
It's not malice; it's a fundamental incompatibility between the roles of Carrier insurer.
The Solution: Separate Transportation and Insurance
retailers leading retailers have realized:
- They use GLS for what it does best: shipping
- They use specialized insurance for what GLS cannot do: protect the actual value
With Claisy, you can find your way out of the maze:
- ✅ A single contract covering all of Europe (France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, etc.)
- ✅ A single declaration process, regardless of origin or destination
- ✅ One processing time: 48-hour turnaround guaranteed
- ✅ A single Limit: €100,000, regardless of the parcel’s origin and destination
- ✅ A single interface: A unified, multilingual dashboard with a single point of contact
You Can Continue Shipping with GLS, But Safely
What you keep:
- GLS shipping rates (often competitive)
- Your account and history on GLS
- Your existing technical integrations
- The European GLS Network
What you're optimizing:
- Real protection for your goods
- Compensation processing times reduced by a factor of 10
- Radical administrative simplification
- Complete peace of mind