Relais Colis has continued to grow since its acquisition by the Walden Group in 2022 and has established itself as a major player in pickup-point delivery for businesses in France, with a network exceeding 10,000 pickup points as of 2024 and more than 45 million packages delivered in 2025. Relais Colis specifically targets small and medium- retailers s with a promise of flexibility and local service.
In late May 2026, GLS finally announced the acquisition of Relais Colis.
But when it comes to protecting valuable packages, the insurance offered by Relais Colis —known as the “Option Zen”—quickly reveals certain structural limitations. Between a rigid tiered pricing system, a Limit cap of €5,000, and numerous exclusions (high-tech items, jewelry, watches), many professionals discover after a Dispute delivery that this insurance does not meet their actual needs.
This guide provides an in-depth analysis of " Relais Colis " insurance: detailed rates, specifics on exclusions, and the opaque claims process. You’ll also discover modern alternatives for retailers. You can also check out our comprehensive comparison of package insurance options and our Ad Valorem encyclopedia.
Relais Colis : Positioning and Networking
A Rapidly Growing Player
Relais Colis has experienced spectacular growth in recent years, according to E-commerce Mag, and expects to have more than 11,000 pickup locations by 2026. This growth over the past two years represents nearly a twofold increase:
- 6,500 pickup locations in February 2023
- 8,000 points in the summer of 2023
- 9,000 points by the end of 2023
- More than 10,000 points since 2024
This growth of nearly 50% in one year positions Relais Colis as a serious competitor to Mondial Relay (~11,000 locations) and the Pickup network (13,000 locations operated by La Poste Group).
Focus on B2C Professionals
Unlike Mondial Relay , which targets both individuals and professionals, Relais Colis focuses exclusively on professionals in the B2C (business-to-consumer) sector. This specialization is reflected in:
- Dedicated tools: new professional website, e-commerce modules, specialized customer service
- A pickup service through a partnership with Ciblex (B2B express delivery)
- Strategic Partnerships: 400 Auchan self-checkout kiosks, collaboration with Quadient
Relais Colis 's "Option Zen" Insurance: A Detailed Analysis
How the Zen Option Works
Relais Colis 's insurance covers accidental damage or loss of goods during transport, as specified in the official IPID (Information Product Insurance Document) issued by the insurer.
Basic coverage:
- €20 automatically included in the event of a lost package (without the option)
- Paid "Zen" option for orders over €100
- Compensation based on the invoice amount or proof of purchase provided
Relais Colis Insurance Awards
Relais Colis 's pricing system operates in predefined value tiers, according to the official FAQ at Relais Colis:
Source: IPID Relais Colis (current version)
⚠️ CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE STAGE-BASED SYSTEM
The tiered system creates significant pricing distortions:
- Package costing €350: Pay €9.50 (or 2.71% of the shipped amount)
- Package costing €351: pay €11.50 (or 3.27% of the shipment value) → a 20% rate increase for a 0.3% increase in value
- €500 package: pay €11.50 (2.30% of the shipped amount)
- Package costing €501: pay €15.50 (or 3.09% of the shipped amount) → a 30% increase in the rate for a 0.2% increase in value
These rate jumps artificially penalize certain amounts and make it harder to forecast budgets for retailers
Limit Maximum Package Insurance Coverage: €5,000
The coverageLimit is strictly limited to €5,000 per package, according to the documentation from Relais Colis , the official insurance provider.
Impact on professionals:
- E-commerce: MacBook Pro, servers, equipment over €5,000 = total overdraft
- Premium Fashion: Luxury coats, designer bags, collections priced at over €5,000 = risk not covered
- Designer Furniture: Exceptional Pieces, High-End Furniture = Financial Exhibition
- Professional equipment: Tools, machinery, specialized equipment >€5,000 = insufficient coverage
This €5,000 insurance limit puts Relais Colis on par with Colissimo B2B (€5,000), but falls far short of the actual needs of the premium and B2B markets.
Major Exclusions: Products Not Covered
According to the official IPID document, the following items are systematically excluded from any coverage under Relais Colis.
Check out our guide to insuring high-value shipments of up to €100,000 per package to discover the right solutions for these industries.
Claims Process: Lack of Transparency and Lengthy Duration
Strict Filing Deadline
According to the IPID document for the insurance policy Relais Colis, 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
Required Documents (Non-Exhaustive List)
Although not specified in detail, practical experience shows that parcel delivery insurers generally require:
- Proof of Filing Relais Colis
- Invoice for the purchase of the shipped item
- Photos before shipment (packaging + contents)
- Photos of the damage if the package is damaged
- Affidavit
- Written correspondence with Relais Colis
- Potentially: independent appraisal for high-value items
Refund Period
Although not officially disclosed by Relais Colis, feedback from the field indicates that processing times are often considered long but are in line with industry standards for insurance policies managed by external third parties.
Comparison: Relais Colis Insurance and Mondial Relay Insurance
Comparison Table of Pickup Locations
Source Mondial Relay: Detailed Analysis of the " Mondial Relay " Insurance Offer
💡 DIFFERENTIATED POSITIONING
- Mondial Relay : Limit 500€—very low, but with an extensive network of private sellers
- Relais Colis : Limit €5,000 is acceptable, but there are extensive exclusions for high-tech items
- Both: Not suitable for jewelry, watches, art, or high-end electronics
The Modern Alternative: Automated Package Insurance
Structural Limitations of the Zen Option " Relais Colis "
retailers face four major obstacles:
- Limit €5,000 is not enough for premium products
- Wide-ranging exclusions (high-tech, jewelry, watches, art)
- A tiered pricing system that creates price distortions
- Do these delays affect cash flow?
Principles of Automated Parcel Insurance
Automated package insurance offers a radically different approach:
Transparent pricing structure:
- Flat rate
- No tiers: exact proportional pricing
- No minimum collection amount
Universal coverage:
- Limit €100,000 per package (vs. €5,000 Relais Colis)
- High-tech devices: laptops, smartphones, servers
- Jewelry and watches: all categories, no restrictions
- Art and Collectibles: Protected Masterpieces
Operational Efficiency:
- Refund within 72 hours
- Unified 100% Digital Filing
- Compatible with all carriers: Relais Colis, Mondial Relay, Colissimo, DHL, etc.
Relais Colis vs. Solution Moderne: A Comparison of Parcel Insurance
Conclusion: Relais Colis, Bon Carrier, Ad Valorem Limited Insurance
Relais Colis has established itself as an effective “Carrier ” for professional “ retailers ” with its network of over 10,000 pickup locations and its B2C focus. However, the “ Relais Colis ” insurance plan, “Option Zen,” reveals major structural limitations:
The three critical challenges facing insurance- Relais Colis :
- Limit €5,000 deposit for premium products
- Extensive exclusions that render the insurance unusable for high-tech items, jewelry, watches, and art
- A tiered system that creates pricing distortions and budget uncertainty
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 (which has an excellent network of pickup locations) while benefiting from modern package delivery insurance with no exclusions. The automated solutions work with all carriers, allowing you to maintain your current logistics while eliminating areas of risk.