Are you about to ship a piece of fine jewelry, a work of art, high-end electronic equipment, or any other valuable item? Your concerns are entirely justified. Between September and December 2024, more than 3.7 million packages were lost or damaged in France (according to eCommerce Nation), and valuable items are particularly at risk.
Insuring a high-value shipment for up to €100,000, £85,000, or $120,000 is no longer just an option—it’s a business necessity. But navigating between inadequate basic insurance policies, complex “Ad Valorem” options, and specialized insurers can quickly become a costly headache.
👥 This guide is intended for professionals shipping goods valued at over €2,000: retailers , antique dealers, jewelers, and art galleries. We break down each available solution, analyze the actual costs, and provide you with the tools you need to ship your most valuable items with complete peace of mind.
🎯 What you'll learn:
- Why basic carrier insurance leaves you vulnerable to losses of 95% or more of the value
- Comparison of insurance for valuables, jewelry, art, and luxury items... 2026
- A Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing the Right Package Insurance for Your Shipment
- Real-world examples with ROI calculations tailored to your profile
The Trap of Basic Cargo Insurance: 95% Loss "Guaranteed"
The first thing to keep in mind: All carriers include "insurance" by default, which is actually a financial trap when it comes to valuable items.
This flat-rate compensation is based on weight, not on actual value. It is a system designed for shipping documents, not for your valuable items.
Real-Life Examples That Back Up This Figure
The Deadly Calculation
For any item whose value exceeds 25 times its weight in kilograms, basic insurance leaves you vulnerable to a near-total loss. However, most valuable items (technology, jewelry, art, watches) have a value-to-weight ratio well above €25 per kilogram.
Conclusion: Relying solely on basic insurance for a valuable item means accepting a loss of 95% or more in the event of a claim.
Real Solutions for Insured High-Value Shipments
To receive compensation equal to the actual value, you must purchase additional coverage for packages insured against all risks. Here is a comprehensive overview of your options:
Option 1: Ad Valorem Cargo Insurance
"Ad Valorem" (value-based) insurance is offered directly by most carriers. You declare the actual value and are compensated on that basis in the event of a claim. However, you will need to provide a significant amount of documentation and be patient, as reimbursement times very often exceed 75 days.
And be careful: even the slightest oversight ( no receipt, no photo of the packaging, etc.) or a mistake on your part (a box deemed too flimsy or unsuitable) will result in your claim being immediately rejected, and you will not be entitled to compensation.
Finally, one last thing to keep in mind: make sure your luxury item is covered by your shipping insurance! Or rather, make sure your item isn't listed among the exclusions of the ad valorem insurance!
You can also find all our analyses of the major carriers (UPS, Royal Mail, FedEx, etc.) as well as each carrier’s exclusions in our ad valorem insurance atlas by clicking here or on our interactive parcel insurance comparison tool here !
Option 2: Specialized Commercial Package Insurance
For high-value items that you wish to insure during shipping, or for businesses handling large volumes, specialized parcel insurance providers offer customized solutions tailored to your products.
Benefits of Specialized Package Insurance Solutions
- Limits : €50,000 to €250,000, depending on the insurer
- Extensive coverage: All types of items, even those excluded elsewhere
- Dedicated Expertise: Teams Specializing in High-Value Assets
- Prompt payment: 48 hours to 15 days, depending on the insurer and whether they require a Carrier investigation
- Carrier Flexibility Carrier Compatible with all shippers
Comparison: Which High-Value Package Insurance Should You Choose?
Guide: How to Choose the Right Insured Shipping in 4 Steps
Step 1: Assess Your Shipping Profile
Take a look back at the past 6 months:
- Average value of your high-value shipments
- Shipping frequency (occasional vs. regular)
- Types of items shipped (tech, art, jewelry, leather goods, vintage items, etc.)
- Destinations (domestic, international, specific)
- Approximate monthly volume
Step 2: Identify Your Critical Needs
Step 3: Calculate the Actual Total Cost
Don't just focus on the cost of parcel insurance. Consider:
The actual cost of a shipment = Shipping cost + Risk cost (loss/damage)
- Direct costs: Insurance premium + Carrier surcharge Carrier if premium service is required) + Any applicable processing fees
- Indirect costs: Time spent handling claims + Impact on cash flow (delays in compensation) + Opportunity cost (inability to use other carriers) + Impact on brand image
Step 4: Test and Measure
Recommended approach:
- Test phase: Try the selected solution on 5–10 shipments
- Measure: Simplicity, responsiveness, actual cost
- Compare: With your current solution
- Make a decision: Based on concrete data, not impressions
Real-World Examples: ROI Based on Your Profile
The Claisy Alternative: Simplicity x Performance
Given the complexity of carrier insurance and the limitations of Limits, Claisy offers a revolutionary solution for insuring high-value packages worth up to €100,000, featuring a user-friendly interface that lets you track all your shipments.
Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs When Insuring Your Package
Conclusion: High-Value Package Insurance: A Worthwhile Investment
Properly insuring your high-value packages isn’t an expense—it’s an investment in the long-term success of your business. Choose Claisy for a comprehensive solution that tracks your shipments and covers your jewelry, watches, and other luxury items. The small percentage you invest in insured packages can save you thousands of euros in losses and protect your reputation with customers.
The 3 golden rules to remember for Parcel Insurance:
- Never purchase basic insurance for an item costing more than €100 (loss is virtually guaranteed)
- Always check the exclusions before signing up (to avoid unpleasant surprises)
- Prioritize flexibility over restrictive "all-in-one" solutions
To go further
ROI Study: Parisian Jewelry Store Optimizes Its Delivery Protection
Background: High-end jewelry store, 25 shipments per month, average order value of €3,200
Before Claisy:
- Solution: A combination of Chronopost external insurance for shipments over €5,000
- Challenges: 30% of parts are uninsurable, complex management, high costs
- Total cost: €1,450/month (insurance + administrative fees)
After Claisy:
- Solution: Single coverage for all items up to €100,000
- Result: 100% of parts protected, streamlined process
- Total cost: ~€1,000/month (0.60% × value + time savings)
Annual ROI: €12,000 in savings + complete security + 15 hours saved per month
Additional Resources
- Comprehensive Comparison of Carrier Insurance Policies
- Ad Valorem Insurance Hub: Solutions by Carrier, Solutions, Industry...
- Practical Guide: How to File a Dispute Effectively
- Shipping Insurance: Wine, Champagne, Spirits
- Insurance for shipments of luxury goods