Relais Colis has established itself as a major player in relay point delivery for professionals in France, with a network exceeding 10,000 points since 2024. A subsidiary of the family-owned French Walden Group, Relais Colis specifically targets small and medium-sized e-merchants with a promise of flexibility and proximity.
But when it comes to protecting valuable parcels, Relais Colis insurance - dubbed "Option Zen" - quickly reveals its structural limitations. With its rigid tier system, €5,000Limit and massive exclusions (high-tech, jewelry, watches), many professionals are discovering too late that this insurance is not adapted to their real needs.
This guide takes an in-depth look at Relais Colis 2025 insurance: detailed rates, critical exclusions, an opaque claims process, and modern alternatives for discerning e-tailers. You can also consult our comprehensive comparison of parcel insurance 2025 and our Ad Valorem encyclopedia.
Relais Colis : Positioning and network
A fast-growing player
Relais Colis has undergone spectacular expansion in recent years, according to E-commerce Mag:
- 6,500 relay points by February 2023
- 8,000 points by summer 2023
- 9,000 points end 2023
- Over 10,000 points since 2024
This 50% growth in one year positions Relais Colis as a serious competitor to Mondial Relay (~11,000 points) and the Pickup network (13,000 points belonging to La Poste group).
Focus B2C Professionals
Unlike Mondial Relay , which targets both private and business customers, Relais Colis focuses exclusively on B2C (business-to-consumer) professionals. This specialization is reflected in :
- Dedicated tools: new pro site, e-commerce modules, specialized customer service
- A collection offer through the merger with Ciblex (B2B express delivery)
- Strategic partnerships: 400 Auchan lockers, Quadient collaboration
Zen Option" Relais Colis Insurance: Detailed analysis
How Zen Option works
Relais Colis insurance covers accidental breakage or disappearance of goods during transport, in accordance with the official IPID (Information Product Insurance Document) issued by Tokio Marine Europe S.A.
Basic coverage:
- 20 automatically included in the event of parcel loss (without option)
- Zen option at a charge for values over €100
- Compensation based on invoice value or proof provided
Complete Tariff Schedule 2025
The system works in predefined value steps, according to the official Relais Colis FAQ:
Source: IPID Relais Colis 2025
⚠️ STEP-BY-STEP CRITICAL SYSTEM ANALYSIS
The tiered system creates major pricing distortions:
- 350€ parcel: pays €5 (1.43%)
- 351€ parcel: pays 6€ (1.71%) → +20% price increase for +0.3% value increase
- 500€ parcel: pays 6€ (1.20%)
- 501€ parcel: pays €7.50 (1.50%) → +25% price increase for +0.2% value increase
These price jumps artificially penalize certain amounts and complicate budget predictability for e-tailers.
Maximum Limit : €5,000
According to official documentation, the coverLimit is strictly limited to €5,000 per package.
Impact for professionals:
- E-commerce: MacBook Pro, servers, equipment >5k€ = total overdraft
- Premium fashion: luxury coats, designer bags, collections >5k€ = risk not covered
- Designer furniture: exceptional pieces, top-of-the-range furniture = financial exposure
- Professional equipment: Tools, machines, specialized equipment >€5k = insufficient protection
This €5,000 Limit puts Relais Colis on a par with Mondial Relay (€500 max) and Colissimo B2B (€5,000), but well below the real needs of the premium market.
Massive exclusions: Products not covered
Complete List of Exclusions
According to the official IPID document, the following goods are systematically excluded from coverage:
❌ CRITICAL EXCLUSIONS RELAIS COLIS
Electronics & High-Tech :
- Computers, laptops
- Cell phones, smartphones
- Bank cards and magnetic media
Luxury & Value :
- Jewelry, precious stones and metals
- Fine watches
- Furs, silverware
- Works of art, sculptures, paintings
- Objects of curiosity or collection
Financial & Documents :
- Banknotes, securities
- Commercial paper, securities
- Cheques (restaurant, vacation, blank)
- Gift cards, gift boxes (Smartbox, Wonderbox)
- Securities and coupons of all kinds
Other Exclusions :
- Tobacco, cigarettes, cigars
- Counterfeit products
- Weapons categories A-B-C-D
- Liquid products
- Foodstuffs and perishables
- Motorcycles and scooters
- Identity documents, passports
Impact for e-tailers
These exclusions make Relais Colis unsuitable for many professional e-commercesectors:
- Marketplace tech: Smartphones, laptops, tablets = 100% excluded
- Online jewelry: Entire business excluded
- Watches: all categories not covered
- Luxury fashion: Furs, limited haute couture
- Art & Collection: Galleries, exclusive antique dealers
Consult our guide to insuring high-value parcels to discover solutions tailored to these sectors.
Claims process: Opacity and length
Strict declaration deadline
According to the IPID document, the insured must :
- Report the claim within 3 days of becoming aware of it
- Provide all necessary supporting documents
- Take all necessary measures to limit the damage
⚠️ MAJOR PROBLEM: MANAGEMENT BY EXTERNAL INSURER
According to our information, the management of claims is entrusted directly to the insurer Tokio Marine, without going through Relais Colis. This delegation creates several problems:
- Process opacity: exact supporting documents not detailed in advance
- Multiplication of intermediaries: Relais Colis → Tokio Marine → expertise
- Longer lead times: Estimated at over 60 days on average
- Loss of control: E-merchant dependent on an insurer he hasn't chosen
Required documents (Not exhaustive)
Although not precisely detailed, experience in the field shows that the insurer generally requires :
- Proof of deposit Relais Colis
- Purchase invoice for goods shipped
- Pre-shipment photos (packaging + contents)
- Photos of damage if parcel is damaged
- Declaration of honour
- Written exchanges with Relais Colis
- Potentially: independent appraisal for high values
Refund period
Although not officially communicated by Relais Colis, feedback from the field indicates average lead times in excess of 60 days, similar to industry standards for insurance managed by external third parties.
For comparison :
- Colissimo: 60-90 days(see analysis)
- DHL: 60-90 days(see analysis)
- UPS: 77 days(see analysis)
Comparison with Mondial Relay
Relay Point Comparison Table
Source Mondial Relay: Detailed analysis
💡 DIFFERENTIATED POSITIONING
- Mondial RelayLimit 500€ very low but extensive network for private customers
- Relais ColisLimit €5,000 acceptable but massive high-tech exclusions
- Both: Unsuitable for jewelry, watches, art, premium electronics
The Modern Alternative: Automated Parcel Insurance
Structural limits of Relais Colis Zen Option
E-tailers face four major obstacles:
- Limit €5,000 insufficient for premium products
- Massive exclusions (high-tech, jewelry, watches, art)
- Tariff-distorting tiered system
- 60+ day lead times impacting cash flow
Principle of Automation
Automated parcel insurance offers a radically different approach:
Transparent pricing architecture:
- Single rate 0.75% of declared value
- No tier: exact proportional pricing
- No minimum de perception
Universal coverage:
- Limit €100,000 per parcel (vs. €5,000 Relais Colis)
- High-tech covered: laptops, smartphones, servers
- Jewelry and watches: all categories without restriction
- Art and collecting: protected exceptional pieces
Operational efficiency:
- 48-hour refund (vs. 60+ days)
- Unified 100% digital declaration
- Compatible with all carriers: Relais Colis, Mondial Relay, Colissimo, DHL, etc.
Relais Colis vs. Modern Solution
ROI Case study: Multi-product E-commerce
Profile: Diversified market place, 200 parcels/month, average value €600
Distribution:
- 120 textile parcels (average €300) = Relais Colis cutlery
- 50 electronic parcels (average €1,200) = ❌ EXCLUDED Relais Colis
- 30 accessory parcels (average €400) = Relais Colis cutlery
With Relais Colis:
- 150 insurable parcels × €7.50 (average) = €1,125/month
- 50 electronic parcels = €0 protection (excluded)
- Total risk not covered: 50 × €1,200 = €60,000/month
With automated solution:
- 200 parcels × €600 × 0.75% = €900/month
- All products covered without exclusion
- Savings: €225/month + total security
Conclusion : Relais Colis, Bon Carrier, Limited Insurance
Relais Colis has established itself as an efficientCarrier for professional e-merchants with its network of 10,000+ relay points and its B2C focus. However, its "Option Zen" insurance reveals major structural limitations:
The three critical obstacles:
- Limit €5,000 blocking for premium products
- Massive exclusions make insurance unusable for high-tech, jewelry, watches, art, etc.
- Tiered system creating tariff distortions and budget unpredictability
Pour les e-commerçants expédiant du textile et accessoires <5.000€, l'Option Zen peut convenir. Mais pour tous les autres secteurs (électronique, bijouterie, horlogerie, art, mobilier premium), cette assurance est inadaptée voire dangereuse car elle crée une fausse sécurité.
The good news: you can continue to ship with Relais Colis (excellent network of relay points) while benefiting from modern insurance with no exclusions. Automated solutions work with all carriers, allowing you to maintain your current logistics while eliminating areas of risk.
Case studies: ROI and limitations
Case 1: E-commerce Fashion (Average value €280)
Profile: Online clothing boutique, 150 parcels/month
With Relais Colis Option Zen:
- Level applicable: €151-€350 = €5/package
- Monthly cost: 150 × €5 = €750/month
- Annual cost: €9,000
- Covering : ✅ Covered textiles (except haute couture/furs)
Limitation: Haute couture pieces >€5,000 not covered
Case 2: Electronic Marketplace (Average value €800)
Profile: Tech reseller, 100 parcels/month
Critical problem:
- ❌ Laptops EXCLUDED
- ❌ Mobile phones EXCLUDED
- ❌ Insurance unusable for 100% of activity
Impact: Relais Colis Option Zen = 0€ real protection despite possible payment
Case 3: Online jewelry store (Average value €1,200)
Profile: Jewelry, 50 pieces/month
Critical problem:
- ❌ Jewelry TOTALLY EXCLUDED
- ❌ Impossibility of carrying on business
- Mandatory alternative: External specialist insurer
🚀 Protect All Your Parcels Without Exclusions
Claisy supports more than 2,000 e-merchants in securing their shipments with a solution designed for excellence:
- 0.75% transparent rate with no tiers or minimums
- 100,000 Limit per package
- 48-hour money-back guarantee
- Zero exclusion: high-tech, jewelry, watches, covered art
- Compatible with all carriers: Relais Colis, Mondial Relay, Colissimo, DHL, UPS, FedEx...
Keep your favorite Carrier , improve your insurance.
To go further
Deepen your understanding of parcel insurance with our expert guides:
- Complete package insurance comparison 2025: analysis of all market solutions
- Mondial Relay insurance: direct competitor Relais Colis
- La Poste's Colissimo insurance: home-delivery/points relais alternative
- High-value insurance guide: jewelry, watches, art, premium equipment
- Automated parcel insurance: understanding the benefits
- Atlas assurance Ad Valorem: complete encyclopedia
- DHL insurance: international solutions
- UPS insurance: the express alternative
Article written in November 2025 with official Relais Colis data, IPID Tokio Marine Europe 2025 document, and independent market analyses.