Are you about to ship a piece of exceptional jewelry, a work of art, high-end electronic equipment, or any other valuable item? Your concern is understandable. Between September and December 2024, more than 3.7 million parcels 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 is no longer an option—it’s a business necessity. But navigating between meager basic shipping insurance policies, complex “Ad Valorem” options, and specialized insurers can quickly become a costly headache.
This guide is intended for professionals who ship goods valued at over €2,000: luxury and tech retailers s, antique dealers, jewelers, costume jewelry designers, and art galleries. We detail each available solution, analyze the actual costs, and provide you with the keys to shipping your valuable goods with complete peace of mind.
What you'll learn:
- Why the carriers' basic liability exposes you to losses of more than 95% of the value
- Comparison of Insurance Policies for Valuable Items (Jewelry, Art, Luxury Goods, etc.) in 2026
- A Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing the Right Parcel Insurance for Your Shipment
- Real-world examples with ROI calculations based on your profile
The Trap of Basic Cargo Insurance: 95% Loss "Guaranteed"
The first thing to keep in mind: All carriers include "shipping insurance" by default, which is actually a financial trap for valuable items.
This flat-rate compensation is based on weight, not on actual value. It is a system designed for document shipments, not for your valuable items.
Real-World Examples That Back Up This Figure
The Deadly Calculation
For any item whose value exceeds 25 times its weight in kilograms, basic shipping 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€/kg.
Conclusion: Relying solely on basic insurance for a valuable item means accepting a 95% loss in the event of a claim.
Real Solutions for Insuring High-Value parcels
To be compensated for the full actual value, you must purchase supplemental shipping insurance for high-value parcels that covers all delivery risks. Here is a comprehensive overview of your options:
Option 1: Ad Valorem Insurance for Carriers
"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 supporting documentation and be patient, as reimbursement times very often exceed two months.
And be careful: even the slightest oversight ( no invoice, 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 denied, 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 in your parcel insurance policy!
You can also find all of our analyses of the major carriers (UPS, Royal Mail, FedEx, etc.) as well as each carrier’s exclusions in our ad valorem insurance guide by clicking here or on our interactive parcel insurance comparison tool here !
Option 2: Specialized Commercial Parcel Insurance
To ensure the safe shipment of high-value items, specialized cargo insurers offer customized solutions tailored to your products.
Benefits of Specialized Parcel Insurance Solutions
- Limits High: €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 Shipments
- Prompt compensation: 48 hours to 25 days, depending on the insurer and whether it requires an investigation Carrier
- Carrier Flexibility: Compatible with all Carrier (to be verified)
Benchmark: What kind of shipping insurance should I use to ship a valuable parcel?
Guide: How to Choose the Right Insured Shipping Option in 4 Steps
Step 1: Assess Your Shipping Profile
Take a look at your last 6 months:
- Average value of your high-value shipments
- Shipping Frequency (Occasional vs. Regular)
- Types of items shipped (high-tech, art, jewelry, leather goods, vintage items, etc.)
- Destinations (domestic, international)
- Approximate monthly volume
Step 2: Identify Your Critical Needs
Step 3: Calculate the Actual Total Cost
Don't just focus on the price of parcel insurance. Consider the following:
The actual cost of a shipment = Shipping cost + Risk cost (losses/damage)
- Direct costs of shipping insurance: Insurance premium + Additional fee for " Carrier " (if premium service is required) + Any applicable processing fees
- Indirect costs of freight insurance: 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 insured 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 & Performance
Given the complexity of carrier insurance and the limitations of Limits, Claisy offers a revolutionary approach for high-value parcels insured for up to €100,000, with a simple interface that lets you track all your shipments.
Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Shipping Insured Valuable parcels
Conclusion: High-Value Cargo Insurance: A Profitable Investment
Properly insuring your high-value parcel shipments 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 few tenths of a percent you invest in insured parcels 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 shipping insurance for an item worth more than €600 (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: London Jeweler Optimizes Its Delivery Protection
Background: High-end London jewelry store, 25 high-value shipments per month, average parcel value of €3,200
Before Claisy:
- Solution: Royal Mail + external insurance for €2,500
- Challenges: 30% of parts are uninsurable, complex management, high costs
- Cost of parcel insurance: ~€800/month (shipping insurance + administrative time)
After Claisy:
- Solution: Single coverage for all items up to €100,000
- Result: 100% of parts protected, streamlined process
- Cost of transportation insurance: €480/month (0.60% Excluding VAT × value + time savings)
Annual ROI: €3,840 in savings + complete security + 180 hours saved