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’s 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 basic insurance offered by a typical 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 with many years of experience who’s familiar with high-end watch sales platforms (such as Chrono24 or WeWatches), a member of trusted networks like Mondani Web, or a consignment shop for luxury leather goods usingEntrupy: stop taking senseless 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, therefore, for any potential issues. However, we recommend that you review the terms of sale or contact customer service if you have any doubts (terms and conditions change regularly).
This guide is not a list of options. It is your security protocol. We’ll 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 Associated with 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 Top 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 package that's too easily identifiable 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 shipping companies (even the best-known ones). In 99% of cases, you’ll find a clausethat completely excludes jewelry, works of art, and luxury timepieces 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) agrees 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 an 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 Package Insurance for Luxury Goods (The Invisible Armor)
This approach involves completely separating insurance from shipping. You choose a reliable express Carrier for 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: An Example with Claisy
Among French providers of high-value ad valorem insurance, Claisy offers a model tailored to the regular shipping needs of commercial customers, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large international corporations:
- Limit Coverage: up to €100,000 per shipment (covers ~95% of secondary market transactions)
- Net financial compensation: sale price, minus the deductible
- Broad coverage: watches, jewelry, and luxury leather goods accepted
- Flexible plan: pay-as-you-go or monthly flat rate
Accepted Limits: For exceptional items valued at over €100,000 or shipments requiring a physical escort, solutions such as Malca-Amit, Temis Luxury, or Ferrari Group remain essential.
Strategy 2: The Premium Carrier (The Armored Convoy)
For the most exceptional pieces or the most demanding clients, there are transportation services that are essentially mobile fortresses.
Key Players: Malca-Amit, Ferrari Group, Temis Luxury, ...
- End-to-End Security: These companies do more than 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 based on the transport of valuables. Their transport insurance is therefore designed for this purpose, with limits and coverage that match the stakes involved.
- The Cost of Absolute Peace of Mind: This level of service comes at a significantly higher cost than standard express shipping, but for a one-of-a-kind item priced in the six figures, it’s often non-negotiable and is 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’ worth of profit vanishing in a matter of seconds.
Two Philosophies, One Question
In light of this risk, you essentially have two approaches:
The traditional approach: Keep using “basic” carrier insurance, cross your fingers, and find out when the first major claim occurs 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 “mere 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 just one question: "If I lose a Nautilus worth €80,000 tomorrow during a delivery, can my company absorb that loss?" If the answer is no, you know what your next step is.
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
Unique Features of Luxury Leather Goods
Increased risks:
- Loss of value due to scratches or dents
- The lack of a serial number (except for Hermès) makes authentication difficult
- Often heavy (Birkin ~1 kg) = high shipping costs
Insurance Considerations:
- ✅ Claisy accepts: Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior...
- ⚠️ Requirement to provide a " Filing a police report " in the event of theft or loss
- 🚫 Custom or modified parts will not be accepted without a prior inspection
Dispute Procedure: Your Package Is Lost or Stolen
First 24 Hours (REVIEW):
- Report the matter immediately to the carrier (statutory deadline: 48 hours)
- If you are a Claisy policyholder: Open a case via the dashboard and complete your claim Dispute
- DO NOT pay compensation to your client before the insurance claim has been approved
Average compensation processing times:
- Claisy: 5 days (if the application is complete)
- Malca-Amit: 30–45 days
- Carrier Standard: 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.