**Short answer:** Shipping insurance is optional and costs $3 for every $100 of declared value, up to $5,000 per shipment. It's provided by a third-party insurer, EasyPost, Inc. Without insurance, major carriers cover up to $100, excluding the shipping cost.

![What it costs and what it covers](https://support.forwardme.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBcW9nIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--86f198a4c166d76a05cb91d6fa73e774678cb1a0/insurance.png)

## How insurance works

You can add insurance at checkout when you create your shipment. The coverage comes from **EasyPost, Inc.**, a third-party insurer. ForwardMe acts as the intermediary: we help you file a claim and coordinate it with the insurer, but the insurer reviews the claim and decides the outcome.

The full conditions are in Article VIII of our terms: https://www.forwardme.com/terms#article-8

## What it costs

| Declared value | Insurance cost |
|---|---|
| $100 | $3 |
| $500 | $15 |
| $1,000 | $30 |
| $5,000 (maximum) | $150 |

The price is $3 for every $100 of the total declared value of your shipment. There's no free first $100, and the maximum coverage is **$5,000 per shipment**.

**Pack it well.** Poor packing is an exclusion, so make sure items can't move inside the box, pad them properly and avoid reusing an old shipping box.

**Tip:** declare the real value of your items. Insurance is based on the declared value, and misdeclaration is one of the reasons a claim can be refused.

## What isn't covered

Some items can't be insured, and some situations aren't covered even when the item is.

| Items that aren't covered | Situations that aren't covered |
|---|---|
| Coins, bullion, jewelry and precious stones | Insufficient or incorrect packing by the sender |
| Currency, negotiable instruments and securities | Cosmetic damage to the packaging when the merchandise is undamaged |
| Perishables | Packages signed for by the recipient |
| Shipments to OFAC-sanctioned countries | Seizure or destruction by customs |
| Lottery and event tickets | Delay or deterioration |
| Consignment goods | Misdeclaration |
| Loose diamonds, stones and rock slabs | Parcels with no carrier acceptance scan |
| | A package that's refused or abandoned because duties weren't paid or customs paperwork wasn't provided |

## What insurance covers

Insurance covers a shipment that is **lost**, **damaged** or **stolen** after it enters the carrier's network:

- **Lost:** the package started tracking but never got a delivery scan.
- **Damaged:** it was delivered, but the contents are damaged.
- **Stolen:** there is a delivery scan, but the recipient never received the package. A claim of this kind needs proof of theft, such as a police report.

Each kind has its own filing deadline and evidence. See "Lost or damaged shipment: how to file a claim".

## If you don't add insurance

Without insurance, major carriers (FedEx, UPS and DHL) cover loss or damage **up to $100, excluding the shipping cost**. Any case is reported through the carrier. Our own liability for an uninsured shipment is limited too — see our [Terms](https://www.forwardme.com/terms). So if your items are worth more than the carrier's limit, insurance is the way to protect their full value.

## If something goes wrong

If an insured shipment arrives damaged or goes missing, you need to act quickly and provide detailed evidence. See "Lost or damaged shipment: how to file a claim" for the steps and the documents you'll need.

## Common questions

**Is the first $100 covered for free?**
Not by insurance. Insurance costs $3 for every $100 of declared value, starting from the first dollar. Without insurance, major carriers cover up to $100, excluding shipping.

**Who pays out my claim, ForwardMe or the insurer?**
The insurer, EasyPost, Inc., reviews and decides claims. We coordinate the claim for you as the intermediary.

**Can I insure jewelry?**
No. Jewelry, precious stones, coins and bullion are excluded from coverage.

**Is the packaging covered if it's dented but the items are fine?**
No. Cosmetic damage to the packaging is not covered when the merchandise itself is undamaged.

**What's the most I can insure?**
Up to $5,000 per shipment.

## Still need help?

Our support team is available on weekdays from 09:00 to 17:00 ET at support@forwardme.com.