A Rolex Submariner, a Patek Philippe Nautilus, an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, a Hermès Birkin , a Chanel Timeless... You don’t just sell watches, Cartier jewelry, or Louis Vuitton leather goods—you deal in treasures. And between the moment an item leaves your safe and the moment it reaches your customer, there is a gap. An abyss of risks where theft, loss, or damage can wipe out the value of a luxury car in a matter of seconds.
If you rely on the standard insurance offered by a Carrier to ship a valuable watch, you’re not just playing Russian roulette—you’ve already lost.
In 2024, according to data from the watch industry, more than 1,200 luxury watches were reported lost or stolen during delivery in France. Of these claims, less than 15% were properly compensated by standard carriers, while the rest were subject to exclusion clauses. The average loss: €28,000 per uninsured claim.
Whether you’re a new entrepreneur, a seasoned seller familiar with luxury watch sales platforms (such as Chrono24 or WeWatches), a consignment shop for luxury leather goods, or a long-established business: stop taking unnecessary risks. If you issue the shipping label (i.e., you’re the one arranging the shipment), you bear the shipping risk until the item is delivered to your customer. But if you sell on platforms (such as Vestiaire Collective orWhatnot), then the platform is responsible for delivery and any potential issues. We recommend, however, that you review the terms of sale or contact customer service if you have any doubts.
This guide is not a list of options. It is your security protocol. We will break down the threats specific to your business and reveal the only viable solutions to ensure that every shipment is as secure as your vault.
Minefield: The Specific Risks of Shipping Luxury Goods
Understanding the enemy is the first step toward victory. In your line of work, the enemy has three faces.
1. Theft: You Are a Prime Target
Let’s be clear: your packages are targets. Theft rings operating within logistics hubs are a reality. A simple scan can reveal a shipper known for sending luxury items. A poorly prepared, easily identifiable package is an “open invitation to crime”: keeping your package discreet is the first step toward security.
2. The Legal "Void" of Traditional Carriers
This is the most insidious trap. Read the terms and conditions of standard carriers (even the most well-known ones). In 99% of cases, you’ll find a clausethat completely excludes jewelry, art objects, and luxury watches from coverage. Paying for “Ad Valorem” insurance through them for a watch is often pointless: in the event of a claim, they’ll cite their own rules and refuse to pay compensation.
3. Total Financial Loss
Even if a Carrier (miraculously) Carrier to insure your shipment, compensation is often capped at a "paltry" amount (a few thousand euros at best), or worse, calculated based on a discount or with a deductible that significantly reduces your financial compensation.
The Only Viable Solutions: Armor and Armored Convoy
In the face of these threats, there are only two professional strategies for protecting a shipment of Hublot watches or luxury leather goods. Forget everything else.
Strategy 1: Specialized Parcel Insurance for Luxury Goods (The Invisible Armor)
This approach involves completely separating insurance from transportation. You choose a reliable Carrier based on its logistics (Chronopost, DHL, UPS, FedEx, etc.), and you purchase an insurance policy from a specialist whose sole business is insuring valuable items.
Dedicated Luxury Coverage: Example with Claisy
Among French providers of high-value ad valorem insurance, Claisy offers a model tailored to the regular shipments of commercial entities, SMEs, and large international corporations:
- Limit : up to €100,000 per shipment (covers ~95% of secondary market transactions)
- Net financial compensation: sale price, minus the deductible
- Wide coverage: watches, jewelry, and luxury leather goods accepted
- Flexible plan: pay-as-you-go or monthly subscription
Limitations acknowledged: For high-value items exceeding €100,000 or shipments requiring a physical escort, solutions such as Malca-Amit, Temis Luxury, or the Ferrari Group remain essential.
Strategy 2: The Carrier (The Armored Convoy)
For the most exceptional items or the most demanding clients, there are transport services that are essentially mobile fortresses.
Key Players: Malca-Amit, Ferrari Group, Temis Luxury, ...
- End-to-End Security: These companies don’t just transport goods—they ensure their security. Their services include armored vehicles, security guards, real-time tracking under strict supervision, and hand-delivery procedures on par with those used in banking transactions
- Comprehensive and Tailored Insurance: Their business model is centered on the transport of valuables. Their cargo insurance is therefore designed with this in mind, featuring coverage Limits benefits commensurate with the stakes involved
- The Cost of Complete Peace of Mind: This level of service costs significantly more than standard express shipping, but for a one-of-a-kind item priced in the six figures, it’s often non-negotiable and is an integral part of your customer experience!
Benchmark: Luxury Goods Package Insurance
Conclusion: Protecting your valuable packages has never been easier
The paradox of the pre-owned luxury market: you’re an expert at authenticating, negotiating, and showcasing exceptional pieces. You know how to turn a 1976 Nautilus into a six-figure deal. But between the moment that watch leaves your safe and the moment it reaches your collector in Geneva, Tokyo, or New York, you lose all control.
The numbers don't lie: of the 1,200 luxury watches reported lost or stolen during shipments in France in 2024, only 15% were properly compensated by standard carriers. The average loss? €28,000 per uninsured claim. For your business, that’s potentially several months’ profit evaporating in a matter of seconds.
Two Philosophies, One Question
In light of this risk, you basically have two options:
The traditional approach: Keep using “basic” carrier insurance, cross your fingers, and find out during your first major claim that your €35,000 Daytona will be compensated… at €23 per kilogram. Then spend three months negotiating with lawyers who will throw exclusion clauses at you that you’ve never even read.
The professional approach: Recognizing that shipping luxury watches and leather goods is not just "logistics" but a strategic security operation that requires specialized expertise.
Your Next Step!
If you’re currently shipping without adequate insurance: You’re playing Russian roulette with your capital. The next claim isn’t a matter of “if” but of “when.”
If you're still on the fence, ask yourself this one question: "If I were to lose an €80,000 Nautilus tomorrow during a delivery, could my company absorb that loss?" If the answer is no, you know what to do next.
If you're ready to take action: The calculator below will give you your exact annual cost in 30 seconds. No surprises, no hidden fees—just the peace of mind your business deserves.
Appendices
Features of Luxury Leather Goods
Increased risks:
- Loss of value due to scratches or dents
- The absence of a serial number (except for Hermès) makes authentication difficult
- Often heavy (Birkin ~1 kg) = high shipping costs
Key considerations regarding insurance:
- ✅ Claisy accepts: Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior...
- ⚠️ Requirement to Filing a police report the event of theft or loss
- 🚫 Custom or modified parts will not be accepted without prior inspection
Procedure in Case of Dispute Your Package Is Lost or Stolen
First 24 Hours (REVIEW):
- Report the issue to the Carrier immediately Carrier legal deadline: 48 hours)
- If you are a Claisy policyholder: open a case via the dashboard and complete your Dispute form
- Do NOT pay compensation to your client before the insurance claim is approved
Average time to receive compensation:
- Claisy: 5 days (if the application is complete)
- Malca-Amit: 30–45 days
- Carrier : 60–90 days (if accepted)
==> Claisy's compensation processing time is therefore less than 5 days—at least 6 times faster and up to 18 times faster than traditional carriers.