Introduction: The True Cost of a Lost Package (Spoiler: It Far Exceeds Its Value)
In 2024, 186 billion parcels were shipped worldwide. Of these, 1.8% were subject to an incident (loss, theft, breakage) – representing 3.35 billion claims. For an average French e-merchant shipping 500 parcels per month, this statistically represents 9 disputes per month. At an average value of €150, this represents an annual risk of €16,200.
But the real cost doesn't stop there. Every dispute that is not resolved quickly generates:
- 3 to 5 hours of administrative management (customer communications, Carrier reminders)
- A repurchase rate divided by 3 (72% of customers do not recommend after a poorly handled dispute)
- A decline in Google Seller Ratings
Parcel delivery insurance is not an option, it is a lever for profitability. But you still need to choose the right one. In this guide, we break down the mechanisms, pitfalls, and alternatives to help you make an informed decision.
What is Parcel Delivery Insurance? (And Why 78% of E-merchants Underestimate It)
Parcel delivery insurance—also known as ad valorem insurance —is a contract that reimburses you for the declared value of goods in the event of loss, theft, or damage during transport.
The 3 Types of Parcel Insurance
1. Weight Insurance ( Carrier Contractual Liability)
What it is: The basic coverage included by default with all carriers (UPS, DHL, Colissimo, Chronopost, etc.).
Compensation:
- €23/kg for most domestic carriers
- 8.33 SDR/kg (~€11/kg) for international shipments (Montreal Convention)
Concrete example: You ship an iPhone 15 Pro (221g) worth €1,200. In the event of loss, you will be compensated up to €5 (221g × €23/kg).
Verdict: ❌ Unnecessary for 99% of e-commerce businesses.
2. Ad Valorem Insurance (Based on Declared Value)
What it is: You declare the actual value of the package and pay a percentage (usually between 0.75% and 2.5%, depending on your partner).
Compensation: Up to the declared value (with Limit the Carrier)
Concrete example: Same iPhone worth €1,200 insured at 1% = €12 insurance. If lost, you will receive €1,200.
Verdict: ✅ Market standard, but be aware of compensation delays.
3. Independent Insurance (Claisy, ShipInsure, etc.)
What it is: A third-party insurer, independent of Carrier, that handles claims autonomously.
Advantages:
- ⚡ Compensation within 48-72 hours (vs. 2 to 6 weeks with carriers)
- 🌍 Complete independence: You are not tied to a single Carrier
- 📊 96% acceptance rate (vs. 60-70% for carriers)
- 💰 Transparent pricing: 0.75% at Claisy, with no minimum or deductible
Verdict: ✅✅ The option for e-merchants who want to optimize their cash flow.
Calculation based on 100 packages at €500:
- UPS: €1,500 insurance + 15 days average waiting time + 35% potential refusals
- Claisy: €375 insurance + 48 hours + only 4% refusal rate
Annual savings: $1,125 + 10× faster cash recovery.
→ See the detailed comparison of all carrier insurance policies
The 4 Types of Goods and Their Optimal Insurance Strategy
1. Electronics & High-Tech (iPhone, PC, Consoles)
Risk: ⚠️⚠️⚠️ High (breakage rate 2.1% + targeted theft)
Recommended strategy:
- Mandatory independent insurance for items valued at €300 or more
- Reinforced packaging (double cardboard + minimum 5 cm foam padding)
- Systematic declaration of actual value (no under-declaration)
Pitfall to avoid: Many carriers exclude smartphones worth more than €1,500. Claisy covers up to €100,000 with no exclusions.
Case study: A Shopify seller of gaming equipment saves €4,800/year by switching from Chronopost insurance Chronopost 2.5%) to Claisy (0.75%*) on 3,200 packages/year with an average basket value of €500.
2. Jewelry, Watches & Precious Metals
Risk: ⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️ Critical (priority target for theft)
Recommended strategy:
- ❌ Avoid Carrier insurance at all costs (systematic exclusions)
- ✅ Independent specialized insurance
- 📦 Discreet packaging (no apparent indication of value)
- 📸 360° photos before shipping (proof of condition)
Regulations: For jewelry valued at over €15,000, prior notification to the insurer is mandatory (within 48 hours).
Pro tip: Use plain boxes, such as those used for office supplies, rather than branded boxes that attract attention.
3. Textiles, Cosmetics & Fragile Products
Risk: ⚠️⚠️ Moderate (especially breakage for cosmetics)
Recommended strategy:
- Ad valorem insurance starting at €100 in value
- Shockproof packaging for liquids (bubble wrap + upright position)
- "FRAGILE" marking + pictograms
Pitfall to avoid: Carriers often refuse to pay compensation if the packaging is deemed "insufficient." Always keep photos of your packaging.
Actual cost: For a perfume costing €150, Claisy insurance costs €1.13 (0.75%) compared to €3.75 with Chronopost 2.5%). For 1,000 shipments, the savings amount to €2,620.
4. Food, Wine & Perishable Products
Risk: ⚠️ Low to Moderate (depending on unit value)
Recommended strategy:
- Compulsory insurance for wines >$100/bottle
- Insulated packaging + cold pack for perishable goods
- Shipping at the beginning of the week (avoid weekends)
Common exclusion: Most carrier insurance policies exclude alcohol and perishable goods. Claisy covers these products at no extra cost.
National vs. International Insurance: The Critical Differences
Domestic Parcel Insurance (France & Overseas Territories)
Limits :
- Colissimo: €5,000 (1-3% with a deductible of €23)
- Chronopost €25,000 (1-2.5% of rate)
- Claisy: €100,000 (0.75%, no deductible)
Claim period: 21 days after the scheduled delivery date to report a loss (Transport Code, Art. L133-3)
Special feature for French overseas territories: Transport insurance companies often apply surcharges of 20 to 40% for Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Réunion. Claisy applies the same rates as for mainland France.
International Parcel Insurance
Montreal Convention: Limits compensation to 8.33 SDR/kg (~€11/kg) unless ad valorem insurance has been taken out.
Risk areas:
- ⚠️ Middle East: Loss rate 3.2 times higher than the global average
- ⚠️ Latin America: Unpredictable customs delays (20 to 60 days)
- ⚠️ Africa: Variable infrastructure, favor regional hubs (Dubai, Cairo)
Geographical exclusions: All insurers exclude: Afghanistan, North Korea, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, Syria, Venezuela (international sanctions).
Customs tip: Understate the declared customs value (to pay less tax) but insure at the actual value = Refund guaranteed to be refused. Claisy alerts you if any inconsistencies are detected.
→ Complete guide: Insuring high-value parcels for international shipping
7 Reasons for Denial of Compensation (and How to Avoid Them)
1. Non-compliant packaging (28% of refusals)
The problem is:
- Single-wall cardboard box for items weighing more than 5 kg
- No padding (empty = guaranteed impact)
- Reuse of damaged cardboard
Solution: Follow AFNOR NF H 00-056 standards (transport packaging). Recommended suppliers: Raja, Packdiscount.
Claisy Standard: We provide a customized packaging guide based on your product catalog (available in your dashboard).
2. Undervaluation (12% of rejections)
The trap: Declaring €200 at customs (to pay less tax) but claiming €800 in the event of a claim.
Detection: Insurers systematically cross-check commercial invoices, customs declarations, and product listings. Inconsistencies are identified within 48 hours.
Solution: Always declare the actual invoiced value. If you sell an iPhone for €1,000, that is the amount that must appear everywhere.
3. Product Excluded from Warranties (15% of refusals)
Blacklist of carriers:
- Jewelry and precious metals (UPS, DHL, FedEx)
- Alcohol and spirits (Chronopost, TNT)
- Artworks >€10,000 (all carriers)
- Cryptocurrencies, NFTs, currencies (universal exclusion)
With Claisy: Only illegal products, weapons, and controlled substances are excluded. Everything else is covered.
4. Defects in Reserves upon Delivery (8% of refusals)
Golden rule: If the package arrives visibly damaged (crushed box, torn tape), the recipient must refuse the package or write their reservations on the delivery note.
Standard wording: "Package received with damaged box, dented corners, risk of breakage. Reservation made subject to further inspection."
Without reservation: The Carrier argue that the damage occurred after delivery = Refusal of compensation.
With Claisy: Even without reservations, if the photos prove that the damage is related to transport, the case is accepted (Court of Cassation case law, 2019).
5. Claim deadline exceeded (11% of refusals)
Summary of deadlines:
- Visible damage: 3 days
- Hidden damage: 7 days
- Total loss: 21 days
Pro tip: Never wait until the last day. At Claisy, you can open a "preventive" file as soon as tracking shows an anomaly (package blocked for more than 5 days, etc.).
6. Unjustified value (12% of refusals)
Accepted documents:
- ✅ Supplier purchase invoice
- ✅ Customer order form
- ✅ Excerpt from the catalog with retail prices
- ❌ Personal estimate (declined)
- ❌ Screenshot of a third-party website (rejected)
Tip: For custom or handmade products, provide a detailed estimate (labor + materials) validated by an expert (jeweler, antique dealer, etc.).
7. Adverse Contradictory Expert Opinion (8% of refusals)
When it intervenes: Cases >€10,000 or complex disputes (fire, flooding, burglary).
Procedure: An independent expert appointed by the insurer examines the evidence and issues a report. This report is binding.
Appeal: If you disagree with the findings, you can request a second opinion (at your own expense) or refer the matter to the insurance mediator.
Avec Claisy : Taux d'expertise contradictoire <2% (vs 12% chez les transporteurs). Notre process digital limite les zones grises.
Why Claisy Is Different: The 5 Pillars of Our Model
1. Complete Independence of Carriers
The market problem: When you insure with Carrier, you ask them to "self-assess" in the event of a claim. Obvious conflict of interest.
Our model: Claisy is 100% independent. We don't sell transportation, only insurance. Our interest = to compensate you quickly and effectively (so that you remain a customer).
Result: Acceptance rate of 96% (vs. 65% market average).
2. Full Automation (APIs, Webhooks, Connectors)
Vision: Insurance should be invisible. You shouldn't have to "think about it."
Available integrations:
- 🛒 E-commerce: Shopify, WooCommerce, PrestaShop, Magento
- 📦 TMS: ShipStation, Sendcloud, nShift, Packlink
- 🔗 REST API for custom integrations
Example: You sell an iPhone on Shopify. At the time of ordering, Claisy automatically activates if the value is greater than $300 (option at your discretion). You don't have to do anything!
3. End-to-End Digital Process
No paper, no phone calls:
- Subscription: 2 clicks
- Claim report: 5 minutes (photos + form)
- Real-time tracking: Dashboard with file status
- Compensation: Automatic transfer upon validation
Impact: You save 3 to 5 hours of administrative work per transport dispute.
4. Transparent Pricing
What you pay: 0.75% Excluding VAT the declared value & degressive depending on volume Point.
What you do NOT pay for:
- ❌ Application fee
- ❌ Minimum charge per package
- ❌ Expert fees
- ❌ Claim fees
- ❌ Franchise
Simulator: Calculate your annual savings
5. Speed of Compensation (48-72 hours guaranteed)
Why it matters: One incident = one unhappy customer + a loss of cash flow. Every day counts.
Our commitment:
- File validation: 48 hours max
- Bank transfer: 24 hours after confirmation
- That's 72 hours in total (vs. 28 days on average for carriers)
Cash flow impact: Based on 10 claims per month at €500 each, you will recover €5,000 per month in 3 days instead of 4 weeks.
→ Compare Claisy with other solutions in detail
Conclusion: Parcel Insurance Is No Longer an Option, It's a Growth Driver
In 2026, parcel delivery insurance went from being a "necessary evil" toa competitive advantage.
The 3 reasons:
- Cash flow: Recover €5,000 in 3 days vs. 8 to 12 weeks = immediate investment capacity
- Customer satisfaction: Compensation within 48 hours = NPS +35 points (internal Claisy study)
- Scalability: Handling 10 packages/month or 10,000/month = same effort (if automated)
The choice is simple:
- ❌ Continue with Carrier , expensive Carrier insurance full of exclusions
- ✅ Transfer to Claisy: 0.75%, 48-72 hours, 96% acceptance rate, zero deductible