Shipsurance - Frequently Asked Questions for Shipping Insurance

General

Who is Shipsurance and how can they save my company time and money?
Shipsurance has been insuring online sellers and shippers for 20 years. We are a shipping insurance company that offers shipping insurance at great discounts compared to the shipping carrier coverage. We also offer an online claims management system and expedite all claim payments. Our coverage is integrated with most shipping software solutions. If you do not use a software program for your shipping, we allow for your shipments to be entered onto our online manifesting system.

We are underwritten by a U.S. based "A" rated insurance company.
How can Shipsurance help me or my company?
If you ship packages with a value, we offer full, all-risk coverage if anything happens to those shipments while in transit. You continue to ship with your favorite carriers, but insure with us. Our coverage is not only a significant savings, but it is broader, as well. We cover many items that the shipping carriers do not. If you do have any claims to file, we process them quickly and fairly, usually within 5 days. There are no long term commitments to insure with Shipsurance.
How can we offer this coverage?
Shipping insurance is our specialty and the only insurance that we offer. As this is our only focus, we are able to offer low rates, great service, and quality support when you need it. As a Shipsurance customer, you are part of a group of shippers that have experience and expertise in packing and shipping. This 'group buying power' allows us to offer you lower insurance rates
What is shipping insurance?
Shipping insurance is a variation of an ocean marine policy. Basically, it is insurance that covers the value of the package(s) you are shipping. If your package is lost, damaged, or stolen in transit, shipping insurance will ensure that your package is covered. It does not matter whom you ship with, as Shipsurance offers coverage for all the major carriers.
How do your rates work?
Shipsurance’s rates are based on $100 units. For example: If your parcel has a declared value of $500, it contains five (5) $100 units. Since the first $100 of insurance coverage is provided by most carriers at no cost (Not USPS), Shipsurance would be responsible for four (4) $100 units. If our rate for a particular shipment is $0.20 per $100 unit, your premium for this specific parcel would be only $0.80.

What are the carrier rates and how do your rates compare?
Our rates are based on your shipping volume, valuation, commodity, and claims history. Click here to request a custom quote.

Carrier	Rate per $100	Shipsurance Rates per $100
USPS	$3.35	Up to 90% less!
FedEx	$1.30 with $3.90 min.	Up to 90% less!
UPS	$1.30 with $3.90 min.	Up to 90% less!

When do I purchase the coverage? Before I ship my packages? After I ship my packages?
Typically, our coverage is purchased after a shipping label is generated and you have the tracking/customs details available.
Are my packages marked as insured?
No! That is one of the benefits of insuring with us. Your packages are sent out without any markings indicating that they are insured. This nondescript packaging lets your shipments "fly under the radar" and does not bring unwanted attention to them.
How do I stop insuring with the carrier?
When you ship with a carrier, just stop recording 'declared' or 'insured value'.
The carriers do not need to know that you have secured insurance for the package. To them it is a transparent process.
What type of proof of mailing do I need?

In order to insure a package with Shipsurance, we need to be sure the package actually was mailed! Placing a stamp on a package or using a meter machine is NOT ACCEPTABLE proof of mailing. We need to see that the insured package was physically placed in the mail flow. This can be a receipt from the post office with an acceptance stamp, a tracking number with an acceptance scan, a customs number with an acceptance scan, or a stamped document from the post office indicating acceptance.

Canada Post shippers: We are aware that Small Packets may not contain a tracking or customs number. In order to cover your packages with Shipsurance, make sure that your shipments have some form of indication of acceptance from Canada Post. You can have your Postal Representative or Post Master provide an acceptance stamp on your shipping receipt that indicates their acceptance into the mail flow.
Do I need a policy certificate to insure with Shipsurance?
No, but as a Shipsurance insured client you receive complete coverage and lower rates. If you occasionally ship small packages, you can purchase instant coverage from our partner website ShipSaver.com.
Is there a minimum requirement to sign up with Shipsurance?
Not at all! We have programs available for most shippers, small and large.
How do I pay for Shipsurance coverage?
Invoices are issued at the beginning of each month. Premium payment is collected on the month following the insured period (except flat rate). If you keep track of your packages by manifest or by a hand tally report, you can calculate what you owe Shipsurance by multiplying the number of $100 units by our rate. If you have a shipping manifest system or custom reporting system, you can email, fax or mail us the shipping file each month. If you do not have a shipping system, simply provide us with a weekly spreadsheet or hand tallied total (Shipsurance provided form) of your shipments. We will invoice you the calculated amount. Payments can be made via ACH, check, credit card, or PayPal®.
What is a "Flat Rate" coverage?
Shipsurance offers Flat Rate coverage as an alternative to our typical report based policies. All inbound and outbound shipments are insured for a fixed monthly rate without the need for reporting your shipments to us. Some of the benefits to the flat rate program include:
1. No reporting
2. Discounted flat rate
3. Monthly fixed cost
4. Cover ALL of your shipments; Domestic and International; Inbound and Outbound
5. Claims processed even faster! We do not require you to submit a shipping report for a claim to be processed
Please contact us. if you are interested in a flat rate or fill out our Request for Quote form.
What is considered "used household goods" or "used personal effects"?
Household goods and personal effects are items that are used in a dwelling. These include furniture, appliances, clothing, linens and other household items that are not involved in a recent sale or under commercial invoice. Items sold on eBay or via online store are not considered household goods or personal effects as they are under commercial invoice.
Can I insure the shipping costs associated with a shipment?
You can insure your shipping costs, as long as you declare that amount for coverage when insuring the shipment with us. If you do not include the shipping amount in your initial insurance declaration, it is not covered. Note: You will need to provide documentation of this cost, as well. You cannot insure your shipping costs without also insuring the item(s) being shipped. If you sell merchandise online, typically there is a shipping line item on the invoice to the buyer. If you offer "free shipping" and there is no shipping indicated on your invoice, you can provide us with a receipt of your actual shipping expense.
What does the following statement mean for residents of California?
The insurance policy that you are applying to purchase is being issued by an insurer that is not licensed by the state of California. These companies are called "non-admitted" or "surplus line" insurers.
This insurance policy is issued by a NONADMITTED Insurance company. Shipsurance Insurance Services is the administering insurance company and is licensed in the state of California. The "Notice" is a Non Admitted Insurer Acknowledgment.

Coverage

What is actually covered?
Shipsurance covers loss, damage, and shortage while packages are in transit. We have some programs available where theft/porch piracy is covered, as well.
What items can I insure?
Shipsurance offers coverage for most commodities but we do have a few exclusions (items we do not cover) and conditions. If the item you are shipping is on our excluded list, please contact us. We may be able to cover it.
We commonly insure items such as: jewelry, watches, electronics, computer equipment, fine arts, collectibles, and more, but make sure to read the coverage conditions before insuring your shipments.
Is coverage provided worldwide?
Coverage is provided worldwide for our open coverage customers when shipments originate from the United States or Canada, except to the following destinations.

The following countries are excluded from coverage for our open certificate holders. If you have a policy with us, WE DO NOT COVER SHIPMENTS SENT TO THESE LOCATIONS: UPDATED 8/1/2019
Afghanistan
Angola
Bolivia
Burma
Congo
Cuba
Iran
Iraq
Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire)
Liberia
Nigeria
North Korea
Paraguay
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Sudan
Syria
Venezuela

In addition, any location that would be in violation of any U.S. economic or trade sanctions including OFAC Restricted Countries. For shipments to Russian and other Commonwealth of Independent States countries (includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan) coverage ceases upon touchdown of the aircraft at the airport of destination or upon discharge from the overseas vessel at the destination discharge port. This means that if a package is scanned into these countries, coverage ceases.

Request a quote for open coverage now!
Do I have to do anything different with the customs form?
You do not need to do anything different with your customs form. One of our exclusions reads "Loss, damage, shortage, or non-arrival of any parcel and its contents when it bears a descriptive label or packaging which describes, or alludes to, the nature of the contents." We DO NOT exclude shipments with the proper customs declarations.
What shipping carriers can I use?
Coverage is available for almost all shipping carriers. Some examples are: FedEx, UPS, DHL, USPS, most consolidators, Yellow, SAIA, and most common carriers. Please contact us to find out if Shipsurance covers the carrier that you use.
Can I mark the outside of my packages as insured if I am a certificate holder?
Do not mark your packages as insured as this brings unwanted attention to it. We provide you with a package insert template so you can print cards and place them inside of your outbound shipments. These inserts explain to the recipient that you are insuring their package with a trusted company and if anything happened to it while in transit their claim would be handled promptly. Also, make sure you abide by the packaging rules of the specific shipping carrier that you are using.
Are there any packaging requirements?
Shipments must be packaged to withstand the normal rigors of transit and must meet (or exceed) the shipping carrier packaging standards. Please refer to your coverage certificate for specific conditions.
What exactly does the exclusion for "cotton" allude to?
The "cotton" exclusion is for cotton in the raw. We cover clothing and other merchandise made from cotton.
What if I ship using the USPS Priority Mail service? I thought they provide free coverage?
Starting July 28, 2013, the USPS provides Domestic Priority Mail shipments with free insurance coverage. Most domestic Priority Mail shipments include up to $50 or $100 of insurance based on the payment method used.
Shipsurance will not make any changes to the full, all-risk coverage that we currently offer. We will continue to cover the entire amount of Priority Mail shipments (plus shipping, if declared) for our customers. You will be able to file claims online with us for your packages and not bother with the USPS claims process. Your recipients will not need to bring damaged items to the post office and you will not need to speak to multiple claims representatives to process a simple $1-$100 claim. Most claims are processed and paid within 5 days and we can pay your claims via PayPal, if you choose (no fees to you).

A recap of some of the benefits of insuring your shipments with Shipsurance:
- No need to stand in line at the Post Office.
- Low coverage rates for loss, damage, or shortage.
- Shipping costs can be covered.
- Fully online claims process.
- No need to bring damaged merchandise to the Post Office.
- Personal claims representative for all your shipping related claims.
- Claims can often be settled via check, emailed check, or PayPal for faster reimbursement
If you choose to, you can insure the excess coverage (above initial $50 or $100) with us but we advise against it. Besides all the above mentioned benefits, you would be forced to file two claims. This can make the process more time consuming and cumbersome. We suggest insuring the complete amount with us and letting us be your one-stop solution for shipping insurance coverage.

Reporting

How does Shipsurance know what shipments I want to insure?
Our insureds submit their shipment manifest logs on either a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. These logs can be a simple hand tallied report or a computer generated shipping report. This report contains information such as date of shipment, shipping carrier, tracking number, and declared value.
If you cannot generate reports, please let us know and we can customize a coverage plan for you.
How do I report my shipments?
If you are not on a flat rate program, there are many ways you can report your shipments to Shipsurance. Two of these methods are:
1. Electronic Shipping Report
  You can submit reports to Shipsurance that are generated from a shipping manifest system, custom shipping software, or a simple spreadsheet. Some examples of shipping software systems that generate Shipsurance compatible reports are:
2. Online Manifest
  We offer a special password protected website for our customers know as the Shipsurance Management Center. Shipsurance is the first to offer an online manifesting system. Through this website, all your shipments can be reported and tallied via a very easy-to-use interface. Contact us for more details.
All reports can be sent to us via email, fax, or regular mail. Most reports are required on a monthly basis.

eReport Software

What is the Shipsurance eReport software?
We created a suite of software solutions to make the reporting process easier. In order to insure with us, we need to know what you are shipping. It can now take as little as NO TIME to report your insured shipments to Shipsurance.
Click here for more details.

Claims

How long does it take to file a claim?
Claims can be filed in as little as 5 minutes and once we receive supporting details they are typically paid within 5 business days!
How do I file a claim and receive payment?
Claims can be filed online here. Complete instructions are available here. If you choose to file a claim via fax or snail mail, the forms can be found here. If your claim is for a lost package, you would start by filing a tracer with the carrier to see if they can locate the shipment. Once all the required paperwork is completed and submitted to Shipsurance, we will process your claim in an expedited fashion. The entire process can be managed online. Please note: Damaged items and packaging must be held until the the claims process is complete. Please do not fax photographs!
How do I file a tracer with the USPS?
A tracer is the formal way to request a package investigation with the USPS. The USPS will usually provide you with written documentation of their findings. You can call the USPS at (800) 275-8777. Specifically, call (800) 275-8777, Press "6", Press "4", Say "More Information", then once you reach someone request documentation of your issue. More details can be found here.
How is a claim paid and to whom?
Claims payments are mailed or emailed to the insured via check or paid via PayPal (your choice). The insured is typically the person or company who purchased the insurance coverage (merchant/shipper).

Partnerships

Does Shipsurance offer partnership programs?
We do offer partnership programs. Most programs are based on integrating our shipping insurance into other systems and platforms. We work closely with our partners to make sure our relationships last. Contact us for partnership opportunities.
Do you have a referral program?
Yes! If you are a licensed insurance agent you can earn commissions from offering our all-risk insurance coverage. If you are not a licensed agent, ask about our revenue share program. Contact us about referral and revenue share opportunities.