For a business that ships goods worth more than €2,000, high-value package insurance isn’t just a nice-to-have: it’s the only way to be compensated for the actual value in the event of loss, theft, or damage. The coverage provided by carriers compensates based on weight, not value, leaving a significant gap for valuable items.
The context highlights the magnitude of the issue. According to a DS Smith study conducted by the Opinium Institute among 2,000 consumers in October 2025, damaged parcels cost French e-retailers 2.3 billion euros in 2025; 22% of French people report having received at least one damaged item in the past twelve months, and 60% would stop shopping with a retailer after several defective deliveries. This study focuses on damage in general, with tableware and glassware being the most vulnerable items. For valuable items, the issue is not the frequency—which is lower—but the magnitude of the loss per incident, combined with very low carrier limits.
This guide, intended for professionals, explains why basic insurance is a trap for valuable items, what ad valorem insurance really is, how different market solutions compare, how to choose the right option based on your business, how to set up coverage, and what mistakes to avoid.
Why Basic Shipping Insurance Is a Trap for Valuables
The carrier’s liability is a legal obligation, but it is capped based on the weight of the goods, unless a declared value, special agreement, or specific regime applies. In international road transport, the CMR Convention limits compensation to 8.33 SDRs per kilogram of gross weight missing, or approximately 10 euros per kilogram; for air transport, the Montreal Convention has set the limit at 26 SDRs per kilogram since December 28, 2024. The SDR is a floating-rate unit of account of the International Monetary Fund, so these euro equivalents are for reference only.
The deciding factor is the value-to-weight ratio. The more expensive an item is relative to its weight, the further the compensation per unit of weight deviates from its actual value.
These amounts provide an indication of the order of magnitude, subject to the SDR exchange rate, the applicable policy, and the circumstances of the loss. The conclusion remains the same: for a valuable item, statutory compensation covers only a negligible fraction of the loss. The overall mechanism is detailed in our guide to cargo insurance.
Key Figures for 2025–2026 (DS Smith/Opinium Study)
- 2.3 billion euros: the cost of damaged packages to French e-retailers in 2025.
- 22% of French people have received at least one damaged product in the past 12 months.
- €76.50: average loss per damaged item.
- 60% would stop buying from a retailer after several defective deliveries.
Ad Valorem Insurance: Definition and Limits for Professionals
"Ad valorem" means "based on value." Ad valorem insurance compensates for the goods based on their declared value, not their weight. This is the fundamental difference from carrier liability.
However, it is important to distinguish between two forms that are often confused.
The ad valorem option offered by carriers (Colissimo, Chronopost, UPS, DHL) raises the compensation cap in exchange for an additional fee, but remains within the scope of the liability regime set forth at Carrier : the same grounds for exemption, the same exclusions, and the same time limits. It presents recurring limitations for businesses: often low limits that vary depending on the offer and the customer’s status; the frequent exclusion of entire categories (jewelry, watches, precious metals, works of art, and sometimes high-tech items); long compensation processing times; and strict proof requirements. The rates change regularly: always check the general terms and conditions on the carrier as of the date of shipment rather than relying on a generic figure.
Ad valorem insurance taken out with a third party is a standalone property insurancepolicy: it provides compensation for property damage based on the insured value, without requiring that the liability of the Carrier be established, and applies regardless of the Carrier used. This principle is explained in our guide to ad valorem insurance.
Overview of Solutions for High-Value Packages
There are three types of solutions, and none is universally superior: the right choice depends on the value and nature of the shipments.
The included insurance—that is, the liability coverage provided by the Carrier —is suitable for goods whose value is roughly equal to their weight. For valuable items, however, this coverage is inherently insufficient.
Carrier's ad valorem option is described at Limit and may be sufficient for moderate value flows in categories that are not excluded. Its limitations relate to Limits, category exclusions, processing times, and dependence on Carrier.
Specialized insurance policies and digital solutions cover the declared value regardless of the Carrier. For a business professional, a few benchmark criteria allow for an objective comparison: the ability to insure high values, up to €50,000 to €100,000 per package depending on the provider; coverage of categories often excluded elsewhere, such as luxury goods, technology, art, or refurbished items; the time it takes to receive compensation; whether or not there is a deductible; and independence from Carrier.
Based on these criteria, certain specialized solutions, such as Claisy, offer compensation within 48 to 72 hours after the claim is approved, coverage of up to €100,000 per package—including categories that are frequently excluded—and no deductible, all of which are compatible with standard carriers. These elements should be considered as points of comparison—to be verified in the contract—and not as a universal guarantee.
How to Choose Based on Your Profile
The right coverage depends less on the premium and more on how well the coverage matches your shipping needs. Here is a guide organized by business type.
Jeweler, watchmaker. High unit values, low weights, categories that are almost always excluded or subject to very low coverage limits by carriers, and a significant risk of theft. Specialized insurance that specifically covers these categories is generally essential, with particular attention paid to the agreed-upon value and discreet packaging. See our guide to insuring valuable watches.
retailer Tech and high-tech. High unit values, consistent volumes, and significant after-sales service and return flows. The main concern is the minimum charge for carrier options, which impacts shipments with low unit values, and the potential exclusion of premium electronics. Proportional coverage with no minimum, which pools the flows, is often the most efficient approach.
Art gallery, antique dealer, auction house. Unique items, with value determined by expert appraisal—and therefore subject to dispute following a loss—and sometimes significant cosmetic damage resulting from a minor defect. The basis for compensation, the agreed-upon value, and the distinction between restoration costs and loss of value are critical factors here. See our guide to packing paintings and works of art for precautions specific to these shipments.
Distributor of high-value medical or industrial equipment. High value, functional sensitivity, and recommissioning costs. These workflows follow a similar logic, as detailed in our guides on medical equipment and industrial equipment.
To put it simply, the decision tree boils down to two questions: if your packages regularly exceed a few thousand euros in value, or if they contain items that are frequently excluded by carriers, then specialized insurance is warranted. Otherwise, and for items that are not excluded, the ad valorem option offered by a Carrier may be sufficient.
How to Set Up Insurance for High-Value Packages in Four Steps
The process is straightforward.
1. Assess your shipments and risks. Determine the average and maximum value of your shipments, their breakdown by category, your destinations, and your volumes—including returns, loans, and demonstrations.
2. Identify your critical needs. Determine the necessary cap, the categories to be covered, your need for freedom of carrier, and your requirement for prompt compensation.
Carrier 3. Compare based on objective criteria. Compare policies based on actual limits, exclusions, waiting periods, deductibles, coverage limits, and the claims process, rather than on a single advertised figure.
4. Test and measure. Deploy the solution on a limited scale, track actual claims, and compare the total cost, premium, processing time, and impact on cash flow before rolling it out more widely.
Checklist Before Signing Up
- Check the list of exclusions, category by category.
- Confirm the actual Limit per package and per shipment, beyond the marketing "up to" figure.
- Verify the average compensation processing times.
- Check whether or not there is a deductible.
- Check for compatibility with your current carriers.
- Understanding the evidence required in the event of a claim.
- Read the terms and conditions and the information document (IPID).
Choose Based on Your Business: The Profile-Based Approach
Rather than a cost-saving simulation—which depends on too many parameters specific to each company—focus on the underlying logic. For goods with a high value-to-weight ratio, the real cost of going without coverage is not the premium saved, but the uncompensated loss incurred with each claim, compounded by the time spent handling the claim and the damage to the customer relationship. Coverage proportional to value—with no punitive minimum for small shipments and no deductible—aligns the cost of protection with the actual value shipped. It is this alignment, not an isolated percentage, that determines the economic viability of a solution. For your shipping needs, you can create an account and explore coverage tailored to your business.
In summary
Basic insurance is unsuitable for valuables because it provides compensation based on weight rather than value. Above a certain threshold, or for categories that are frequently excluded, ad valorem coverage becomes essential. The choice of a solution should be based on objective criteria— real cap, exclusions, processing time, deductible, and flexibility of carrier —rather than on a single figure. For a business owner, high-value insurance is not an expense but an investment in safeguarding the business. To gain a deeper understanding, it may be helpful to compare several offers and test a solution on a limited scale before implementing it company-wide.
Sources
- DS Smith study conducted by Opinium among 2,000 consumers, October 2025 (cost of damaged packages in France): https://www.ecommercemag.fr/logistique-1222/barometre-etude-2182/les-colis-endommages-coutent-23-milliards-deuros-par-an-aux-e-commercants-francais-55038
- CMR Convention, Article 23; Montreal Convention (limit increased to 26 SDRs/kg as of December 28, 2024, ICAO): https://www.icao.int/news/international-air-travel-liability-limits-set-increase-enhancing-customer-compensation-0
- General Standard Contract, Decree No. 2017-461 of March 31, 2017, Légifrance: https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000034330431