SHOULD I INSURE MY SHIPMENTS?

When it comes to processing a package, there are many doubts that arise: How much will it cost me? Will it arrive on time? Can I check its status to know when the recipient receives it? ... but without a doubt one of the most concerns A common practice for users who place an order is to know what happens if their merchandise is lost or damaged.

It is important to know that courier companies have evolved a lot in recent years, and increasingly take more measures, both in their warehouses and in transport, to avoid incidents in shipments. However, there is still a risk of the product being hit or lost.

Therefore, it is essential to know what measures we can take so that, in the event of an incident, we are covered. Currently, there are coverage's that are already included in the price and there is also the possibility of contracting extra insurance. When deciding on one of these alternatives, you will have to evaluate the value of your package and see if it is worth sending it with or without extra protection.

To help you in your decision, we tell you what the different alternatives are:

MANDATORY COVERAGE INCLUDED IN SHIPMENTS

Most courier companies are required to insure packages. It is a standard insurance that is included in the cost of shipping. However, you should know that generally this guarantee is standard, that is, it does not take into account the value of the merchandise and is governed by agreed rates.

The coverage of this type of insurance varies from one company to another, and also depending on whether the shipment is national or international. To give you an example, Carter couriers offers these conditions: maximum compensation of € 15 / kg, up to a maximum of € 500 per shipment.

As each carrier has its own rates and rules, before making a decision, we recommend that you consult the courier companies that we work with at Carter couriers to inform you of their conditions and not get last minute surprises.

Another option that exists within the mandatory coverage for national shipments is the LCTTM Insurance, which is subject to the LOTT law and obliges transport companies to indemnify all their shipments against claims. The cost is included in the shipping price and is approximately € 6 per kilogram of damaged merchandise.

If you decide to opt for this insurance, you will not be able to benefit from the standard coverage, so we insist that you carefully review the conditions of each of the carriers to know what compensation you can get and make the most appropriate decision in each case.

CAN I TAKE OUT ADDITIONAL INSURANCE FOR MY SHIPMENT?

You can, and in fact you should go for this decision if your merchandise has significant value. But you must bear in mind that hiring additional coverage for your package has an added cost, which varies depending on the amount to be insured.

The process is simple: once you have chosen the carrier that will make your shipment, we will ask you to indicate its value, and then we will ask you if you want to cover the shipment for the amount indicated. If you wish to do so, we will detail the cost and conditions.

Of course, it is important that you know that this extra coverage does not include second-hand items, but only those whose purchase date is less than 60 days with respect to the date of collection of the merchandise. To prove this, you will have to provide an invoice or a legal appraisal that indicates its real value.

The price is usually between 3 and 10% of the postage price for shipments of few kilos but whose value is important, so the coverage is around € 25 per kilogram of damaged merchandise.

They are all-risk modalities and cover loss, theft in delivery, damaged merchandise or loss of content.

PACKAGING: SEND YOUR PACKAGE IN THE BEST CONDITIONS

Whether you decide to process your shipment with mandatory insurance or with an additional one, it is important that the merchandise is properly packed. Not only to protect it against blows, but because many companies put many impediments when the package does not meet the conditions for transport.

The most used materials are usually paper, cardboard and plastic, while wood is reserved to protect more delicate products.

DOES IT PAY TO INSURE SHIPMENTS?

As we have indicated, it is a decision that you will have to make based on the importance of your merchandise. In any case, our advice is that in the case of objects of great economic value, it usually pays to insure shipments with extra coverage.