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What is shipping insurance? How does Shipwire make it easy?

Outbound shipping insurance is package insurance added to orders that ship from a Shipwire warehouse. Outbound insurance can get complicated if you do it yourself. Different carriers have different coverage amounts and all carriers have a different claims process.

For example, USPS does not bundle any insurance on shipments. It has to be added to every order. Many carriers include some base level insurance (usually $100 or less) on packages shipped through them; however, each has a complicated claims process.

Shipwire has simplified this entire mess. We make it easy to configure your account so that all orders you have fulfilled by Shipwire warehouses include the amount of insurance you require. You can easily add additional insurance to valuable shipments. You can even set account wide rules such as always insuring orders for the inventory value being shipped.

Shipwire makes it even easier if there is a problem with an order (loss, damage, etc) and you want to file a claim. We have simplified the claims process down to a few clicks ensuring that it takes the minimal amount of time to submit a claim and track it through the insurance process.

What is the claims process?

Shipwire has partnered with Shipsurance to help you centrally file a claim for all shipments scheduled through the Shipwire Web site. Most cases can be resolved 5-7 business days after Shipsurance receives your claim form and additional claim documentation, unless additional time for research is needed. For more complete information about Damage/Loss Insurance and its specific exclusions, please visit the outbound insurance section of the Help center.

How our Damage Claims process works:

• Submit a Claim – Sign into your Shipwire account, and view the details of the Order in your account. Click the Report a Problem link at the top of this page, and follow the instructions.
• Supporting documents (if required) – Mail or fax in supporting documents.
• Schedule an inspection – Shipsurance notifies customer if an inspection is necessary for the claim.
• Claims under review – Shipsurance claims agent reviews and processes the claim.
• Claims disposition – Shipsurance informs customer of the claims disposition.

How our Loss Claims process works:

• Submit a Claim – Sign into your Shipwire account, and view the details of the Order in your account. Click the Report a Problem link at the top of this page, and follow the instructions.
• Supporting documents (if required) – Mail or fax in supporting documents.
• Trace for loss package – Shipsurance performs a trace on the loss package and notifies the customer of the outcome.
• Claims under review – Shipsurance claims agent reviews and processes the claim.
• Claims disposition – Shipsurance informs the customer of the claims disposition.

Declared Value – How much can you claim?

Your claim amount is tied to “Declared value”. This is defined in the declared value shipping insurance agreement below; however, it bears a bit more conversation as well. Coverage is available for your wholesale or retail cost of your item plus any shipping costs, if required. This is at your discretion. In order to substantiate value, an invoice must be provided detailing cost. If the item shipped is used and does not contain a recent invoice stating value, actual cash value will be used. Damaged items claims typically require 2 repair estimates and detailed photos of the packaging and the item.

Express services include $100.00 insurance. Non-express services, such as USPS, Canada Post, Royal Mail, Parcelforce, or freight service include $0.00 insurance. Additional insurance for domestic parcel shipments is $0.75 per $100 insurance. Additional insurance for all freight, and all cross-border shipments, is $1.25 per $100 insurance. Express services have a maximum coverage of $2,000. Freight shipments have a $5,000 maximum coverage, as well as a $2.50 minimum fee. All other non-express services have a $1,000 maximum coverage.

What Shipwire carriers can be covered?

At this time, all Shipwire carriers can be covered, except for Eurotrux. All other U.S., Canada, and U.K. carriers available through the Shipwire service can be insured through this policy. Please note that you must choose services with a tracking number or delivery confirmation for insurance to be applicable.

Under what conditions is insurance provided?

This policy is provided with several conditions:

1. All parcels that are covered by this Certificate will be shipped in strict accordance with all regulations of the carrier and amendments thereto.
2. Jewelry (includes necklaces, earrings, watches, rings, bracelets, broaches, etc) with a value of $500.00 or more must be sent with the Signature Confirmation service provided by the shipping carriers (must be signed for at delivery). This service is available by most shipping carriers often at an additional expense to their core shipping service. Jewelry shipments that do not abide by this condition are not covered by this certificate.
3. Deductible
   1. If a deductible exists, it will be deducted from the total claim amount. Deductibles are on a per package basis. The Insured is responsible for collecting any amounts from the Shipping Carrier that the Shipping Carrier may be liable for. Claims will be paid net of Shipping Carrier’s per package limitation.
4. Valuation
   1. Underwriters shall be liable for the invoice value of property lost, destroyed or damaged, however, in the event there is no invoice, underwriters shall be liable for the actual cash value of the property. Claims for repairs shall be payable for the fair market costs of such repairs.
   2. In no event shall claims exceed the value declared prior to shipment and declared for premium purposes.
   3. Insurance fees are excluded from coverage
5. Other Insurance
   1. Underwriters are not responsible for any loss, damage, or shortage that is covered by another insurance policy or for carrier’s liability.
   1. If other insurance or coverage is present on a shipment, Underwriters will only provide the excess coverage
6. Claims
   1. All packaging material and damaged goods must be kept in the original form as received. Packaging and damaged goods should not be disposed of or released to the shipping carrier before a claim is completed as photographs will be required. Failure to comply can result in the denial of the claim due to insufficient packing.
   2. Concealed Damage – Allows for the discovery of loss or damage up to 15 days after final delivery. The loss is deemed to have possibly occurred during the insured transit. Discovery of loss or damage occurring 16 days or later after final delivery is deemed to have occurred while the shipment was NOT in transit, and therefore, is not covered.
   3. The Insured will file immediate notice of non-delivery, damage, or shortage with the Shipping Carrier and with SHIPSURANCE. Take proper exceptions on the delivery receipt when any loss or damage is apparent at the time of taking delivery. The Insured will complete a SHIPSURANCE claim form and provide all required documents to SHIPSURANCE within sixty (60) calendar days from the date of shipment. If the carrier has liability and their remittance (carrier’s claim check and stub) or response has not been received by the Insured within the 60 day timeframe, all other claim paperwork must be received by SHIPSURANCE within sixty (60) calendar days from the date of shipment. A complete claim submission includes a SHIPSURANCE claim form, a copy of the carrier’s tracer form, a copy of the invoice or recent appraisal, photos of damaged goods and packaging, a repair estimate, signed claim statement by the recipient, and any other documentation requested by SHIPSURANCE. Failure to complete the claim form and follow all claim instructions could lead to non settlement of claim.
   1. If the shipment is sent via the United States Postal Service (USPS), complete claims must be submitted and received by SHIPSURANCE within one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days of the shipment date. If the claim is for loss the Insured must wait 21 calendar days (Domestic shipments) or 45 calendar days (International shipments) before filing claim with SHIPSURANCE.
   4. All damaged property that was not repaired must be made available (given) to SHIPSURANCE or INS if requested.
   5. Once claim has been accepted and approved by the underwriters, prompt payment will be made to the Insured.
7. Claim Disputes
   1. This Certificate shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
   2. The parties agree that any and all claims or disputes arising out of the Certificate or the performance of the Certificate shall be brought in Los Angeles County, California.
   3. The Insured agrees to INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS SHIPSURANCE and Underwriters from any loss, liability, damage or costs, including court costs and attorney fees that they may incur due to misreading, misunderstanding, and not following the coverage requirements as per this SHIPSURANCE certificate or as endorsed.
8. Other Provisions
   1. If SHIPSURANCE does not receive payment from Insured by the date the invoice is due, SHIPSURANCE reserves the right to deny any coverage retained by Insured until such invoice is paid in full (including any such interest accrued). If Insured does not pay its invoice within 15 days after it is due, SHIPSURANCE reserves the right to cancel its coverage of Insured entirely.
   2. If any term or condition of this Certificate is found to be invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity or unenforceability of any such term or condition shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining terms and conditions of this Certificate.
   3. This Certificate constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the specific rights, duties, and obligations identified herein.
      1. Remittance of premium payment to SHIPSURANCE constitutes acceptance of this agreement.
   4. Every user of SHIPSURANCE Insurance through this coverage will be monitored for adverse claims experience. SHIPSURANCE reserves the right to disallow any user to purchase SHIPSURANCE insurance at any time with 10 days written, certified notice.

What items and situations are not covered by insurance?

If you file a claim for an item listed below the claim will not be honored:

General Exclusions

1. Accounts, bills, currency, evidence of debt, money, checks, money orders, COD payments, coins, securities, tickets, deeds, notes, gift cards, manuscripts, documents, bullion (gold, silver & other precious metals), gemstones (loose stones), furs, neon items, hazardous material (per UPS Hazardous Materials List), plasma televisions or monitors, LCD televisions or monitors, perishable cargo or similar property, eggs in the shell, ceramic slabs, marble slabs, granite slabs, slate slabs, stone slabs, grandfather clocks, grandmother clocks, stand-up clocks, automobiles, motorcycles, flowers, plants, seeds, guns, newsprint, tobacco, windows, plate glass, stained glass, and float glass. *Collectible coins and antique guns (more than 100 years old) are NOT excluded.
2. Shipments sent to Afghanistan, Angola, Bolivia, Burma, Congo, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire), Liberia, Mexico (Truck/rail shipments to and within other than as a connecting conveyance), Nigeria, North Korea, Paraguay, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela
   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.
3. Jewelry (includes necklaces, earrings, watches, rings, bracelets, broaches, etc) valued in excess of $5,000.00 per parcel, $25,000.00 per shipment (Per Conveyance Limit of Liability).
4. Cell phones in excess of $2,500.00 per shipment (Per Conveyance Limit of Liability).
5. Shipments that require a signature confirmation or signature required service that are not sent using the required signature service are excluded from coverage.
   1. Signature requirements (if required by SHIPSURANCE) are listed in the “Covered Carriers and Limits of Coverage” section and the “Certificate Conditions” section of this certificate
      1. The limits are for the TIV. The TIV does not change if a claim if for shortage or repairable damage.
   2. Signature confirmation and signature required are services that are offered by the Shipping Carriers, often at an additional expense to their core shipping service.
6. Loss, damage, shortage, or non-arrival of any parcel and its contents which is (1) addressed incorrectly or (2)packed insufficiently to withstand the normal rigors of transit.
7. 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. International shipments that contain customs declarations are NOT excluded from coverage.
8. Loss, damage, shortage, or non-arrival of any parcel and its contents when it is obtained by trick, false pretense, or other fraudulent schemes.
9. Loss, damage, shortage arising out of loss of market, delay, loss of use, clean up costs, decay, inherent vise, or other deterioration, any remote or consequential loss, whether or not arising out of a peril insured against.
10. War Exclusion / Atomic and Nuclear Exclusion: In no case shall this insurance cover loss damage or expense caused by (i)War, civil war, revolution, rebellion, insurrection, or civil strife arising therefrom, or any hostile act by or against a belligerent power. (ii) Capture, seizure, arrest, restraint or detainment (piracy excepted), and the consequences thereof or any attempt thereat. (iii) Derelict mines, torpedoes, bombs, or other derelict weapons of war. In no case shall this insurance cover loss damage or expense arising from the use of any weapon of war employing atomic or nuclear fission and/or fusion or other like reaction or radioactive force or matter.
11. Mechanical and Electrical Derangement – Loss of or damage due to mechanical, electrical, or electronic derangement unless there is evidence of external damage to the insured item or its packaging. Data files and installed computer programs are not covered for erasure, corruption, or loss.
12. AIMU Extended Radioactive Contamination Exclusion clause.

AIMU Chemical, Biological, Bio-Chemical, Electromagnetic, and Cyber Weapons Exclusion clause.

Additional Exclusions

Heavy Freight Carrier/Common Carrier Specific Exclusions

1. Used Goods are not covered for scratching, denting, chipping, staining, tearing, and pre-existing conditions.
2. Household Goods & Personal Effects
   1. Shipments valued in excess of $2,500.00 per shipment (Per Conveyance Limit of Liability).
   2. Loss or damage due to moths, vermin, wear and tear, and gradual deterioration.
   3. Loss or damage due to climatic or atmospheric conditions or extremes of temperatures.
   4. Consumer Packed – Breakage, scratching, denting, chipping, staining, and tearing of consumer packed goods.
3. Steel Products
   1. Loss, damage, or expense due to rust, oxidation, corrosion, and discoloration.
   2. Loss, damage, or expense due to twisting, bending, or distortion unless caused by a covered peril.
4. Frozen Foods
   1. Loss or damage due to decay, spoiling or deterioration.

Loss or damage due to inherent vice or pre shipment condition.

Additional Cargo Exclusions

The following countries are not covered:

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.

*Truck/rail shipments to and within other than as a connecting conveyance are excluded to Mexico. Shipments via air carriers are covered.

What are the packaging requirements for insurance?

To be covered by this policy, all shipped goods must abide by these packaging requirements:

General:

1. Position contents in the center of a sturdy box and surround it by cushioning with bubble wrap, packaging peanuts, corrugated fiberboard, foam pads or molded plastic material.
2. Cushion fragile items inside one box as listed in step #1, then put that box into a larger box with 2″ to 3″ of cushioning around the inner box. Fragile items are any items that are breakable and/or contain any glass.
3. Do not exceed the weight specifications for your box.
4. Cover all sharp or protruding edges with taped corrugated panels or pads.
5. Do not wrap the outer box with paper
6. Use proper tape to seal your packaging such as pressure-sensitive plastic tape, water-activated paper tape or water-activated reinforced tape. Tape should be at least 2″ wide. Tape ALL seems and flaps. Do not use cellophane tape, masking tape, duct tape, kraft paper tape, string or rope.
7. If an item has a finish that might be damaged by adhesive labels, soiling or marking, place it in a protective container or box.
8. Items that cannot be packed into cartons (auto pipes, mufflers, tires, etc.) should have all sharp edges and protrusions wrapped.
9. Do not ship shirt boxes or chipboard retail gift boxes unless you put them inside a strong, corrugated box.