You ended up selling this item on eBay and are so glad you packed and shipped your item on time, only to receive a message that the item was damaged in transit. He is now wondering, "How do I file an insurance claim with the USPS?"
In the early years of turning the page, I had to learn the hard way the importance of insuring my packages before shipping. I often ship the items I sell without insurance. Not a good business plan!
To be honest, if we ship without insurance, the chances are really slim. Have you seen how they handle your packages? Sometimes it's a miracle that they even make it to their destination!
If you know me, I don't like spending money. For this reason I used to send most of my packages without insurance. But as I started selling larger, more expensive items and getting hefty damage refunds, the need to insure my packages became more and more apparent.
Today, my items are not shipped without insurance to my customers. It's that easy. I learned how to file insurance claims with the USPS and it has been a very valuable part of my exchange business.
Cost of USPS Insurance vs. Risk of Damage
- $50,01 a$100es$2,05
- 100,01 $a$200 yos2,45 $
- $200,01a$300es4,60 $
- The price for additional$100for sure, overrated$300until5.000 $, es4,60 $Plus0,90 $for one$100or fraction thereof
- Priority mail service is covered up to $50 at no additional charge.
As you can see in the table above, there is a small cost to insure shipments and the price is worth it in my opinion! Insurance through USPS is a bit more expensive than what I pay when shipping with other carriers compared to that, but still worth every penny if my item arrives to the buyer damaged!
To be honest, packages get damaged more than I would like, so knowing how to file insurance claims with the USPS is extremely important, and having insurance is very important.
So your item arrives damaged and the question arises: How exactly do you file insurance claims with the USPS? Today I'm going to show you step by step how to file an insurance claim with the USPS in case you damaged a package in transit.
Let us begin!
Obtain proof that your item was damaged
This is the first step in the claims process and an important one. If you receive a message that your item was damaged in transit, please start a good dialogue with the buyer through eBay. While it is not my fault that the item is damaged, I always apologize to my buyer for any inconvenience.
A sympathetic attitude towards them will usually dispel any disappointment the buyer may have upon receiving the damaged item. This will be a good start to solving the open case.
Please make sure the buyer send you photos of the packaging and photos of the damage of the item. This is very important both for you as the seller and for the proof of damage for the claim.
Unless the item you're selling is very expensive, USPS sometimes doesn't require photos, but in any case, it's important to get the photos so you have evidence that it was damaged.
If you discover it was damaged in shipping, your next step is to file a claim with USPS.
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bridge a uMSFonline claim
Information to collect to make your USPS claim:
- tracking number and shipping date
- proof of value
- Proof of insurance purchased
- Evidence of Corruption or Loss of Content
- Estimation of repair costs
- Official claim form if not filed online
You can start your damage report directly atUSPS.com. On the home page, go to the 'Help' drop down menu and select 'Submit a claim'. A new damage report starts here.
Once you've decided to make a claim, you'll need to enter the tracking number and ship date for the item you're selling. Once you've printed your label through eBay, you can go back to your sold items on eBay and copy and paste the tracking number into the claim form.
While looking at your sold item on eBay, you can also find the ship date of your item. You must also indicate this on the form. After entering the tracking number and shipping date, a claim page will open for you to complete.
proof of value
Proof of value is required to settle your USPS mail claim. You can get this information on the sales page through eBay. The proof is simply how much you sold the item for. If you made the sale off of eBay, you will need to upload a receipt or proof of how much your item sold.
The same goes for any item you've shipped, even if it's not an eBay sale. You must upload a receipt for the cost of the item. This will provide USPS with proof that the item is worth what you say it is.
Proof of insurance purchased
Insurance companies are good at taking your money, but things get a little complicated when they have to pay for damages. They want proof that you insured your package so they can give you a refund.
If you purchased your shipping label through eBay, it will automatically populate on the online request form. You can also view your tag history on eBay and it will show up on your tag receipt if you have insurance.
This is necessary to fulfill your claim. Trust me, they don't want to pay claims they don't have to pay. So be sure and show that you have insurance on your item before you ship it.
package information
If you start a good conversation with your buyer about the damaged item, make sure they keep the original packaging and contents (including box, bubble wrap, Styrofoam, and paper).
If USPS asks how you packaged your item, that's proof. As further proof to myself, I'm taking photos while I'm packing it up. That way, if the buyer throws away the contents of the package, I still have proof that I packed it correctly.
USPS may want to pick up the damaged item to do its own damage inspection, especially if the item is worth a lot of money. Keep in mind that they are not enthusiastic about paying damage claims.
Ask the buyer to keep the original item and packaging until the claim is resolved, unless, of course, USPS chooses to pick up the damaged item from the buyer. This covers you if the photos are not enough for USPS to resolve your claim.
Estimated repair costs
USPS requiring an estimate of repair costs is less common during the claims process. However, when selling larger and more expensive units through other carriers, I have heard that the carrier has requested a written estimate for the repair.
Ultimately, USPS is trying to do damage control. They may try to reduce the amount they pay you to repair the item where possible instead of charging you the full cost of the item, you better believe they will try.
If an item you sell is an expensive item that has been damaged, USPS reserves the right to determine how much it will cost to repair the damage instead of paying you the cost of the item directly.
If necessary, USPS will ask you to obtain this estimate at some point in the course of your claim. This is most likely to happen after the item has been collected and returned to you free of charge.
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Official USPS application form if not submitted online
Most applications are submitted electronically.USPS.comthese days. However, some people may want to skip the online part. Many prefer to go directly to the post office to complete the paper application form. This is a previously preferred method that has been used. Now I could set you up with a reduced ability to track the progress of the claim.
However, claims can still be filed on paper instead of online if you prefer. After you fill out the request form at your local post office, USPS will pick it up from there.
Be sure to get a copy of all documents, including a USPS receipt. Save everything you fill out to track the progress of your application. That way you have proof that you sent it.
USPS package not moving?
If you ship your package and insure this package,you are covered.
Not onlyfor transport damage,but alsofor the loss of a packet.
If you keep an eye and track your package and find that it doesn't move and the update stops. If there is no more information about the item, it may be because the item has been lost. If so, you are still covered and can continue to file an insurance claim with the USPS.
A few years ago I sold quite a few Sleep Number beds. They are puffy mattresses with a lot of padding so naturally I thought they couldn't be damaged. I sent the mattress without insurance thinking that I would not need the insurance. I would have thought that damaging an upholstered mattress is almost impossible!
Boy was I wrong. He hadn't considered that they might actually lose a mattress!
Unfortunately it happened and one of the mattresses on the bed was lost in shipping. I was forced to give the buyer a full refund. It would have been worth the few dollars to purchase the insurance to save me several hundred dollars in reimbursement. It was definitely a learning experience!
Lost packets don't happen often, but they do happen. I learned a valuable lesson in my experience. I realized that it is always good to insure my packages against damage and loss.
How long does an insurance claim take?
Once you determine that your shipped item is damaged and you have received photos of both the packaging and the damaged item, please open an insurance claim online immediately. The faster you do this, the faster your claim will be resolved and your money returned.
Having all the information in front of you will help you to have all the correct information to complete the application form. Filling out the application form is the easy part.
I'm talking about the past, from the time I filed a claim with USPS and the claim was settled. Usually it takes about two weeks. If the item is more expensive, it may take a little longer. You will most likely be stuck with paying the claim.
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How long do I have to file a claim with USPS?
Most carriers have a deadline to file a damage claim. Starting with shipping your item to the buyer. Finally, when the buyer can claim damages. This protects USPS from someone receiving an item and sitting across from it.6 fun. Who then sued for damages many months later.
USPS would be too big of a risk of someone using the item and causing the damage just to file a claim, so they put time limits on how long you have to file a claim.
You have up to 60 days to file an insurance claim with the USPS. From the date your item was originally shipped to the buyer.
Is the buyer or seller filing a USPS claim?
This can sometimes be confusing as the buyer has the item and all the packaging. However, the correct way to file USPS insurance claims is for the seller to open the claim.
The buyer is always protected by eBay's 30 day money back guarantee. This means that they will certainly get reimbursement from you whether you have insurance or not.
Since you will always have to reimburse the buyer, it is always best to have the seller of the item process the claim to ensure you receive a refund for the damaged item.
Once the buyer gets their money back for the item, they often lose interest and are much less motivated by any claims. So you definitely don't want them to be in control of opening the claim.
Open an insurance claim with the USPS
Opening the claim first gives the seller full control. This builds trust to ensure the claim is processed efficiently and effectively until resolved in your favor.
As you know, I love flipping things! It's my passion. So to make my flipping experience even easier, I always buy insurance. I do NOT allow ANY of my items to be shipped without adequate and necessary insurance. The low price of insurance is worth it to reduce the risk of having to reimburse buyers or damaged items.
I am not a gamer and this is not an area to play. I definitely don't want to play games with USPS as to whether or not they are going to lose or damage my shipped items. It's not good for my business, and it's not good for yours either.
Always hire transport insurance. (You do not need to purchase additional insurance for priority items under $50.) When you do this, it's easy to file an insurance claim with the USPS and get reimbursed for lost or damaged shipments.
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FAQs
Does USPS actually pay insurance claims? ›
When an insured item is lost or damaged, the customer may request compensation by filing a claim. When the Postal Service approves a claim, it pays the lesser of the maximum insurance coverage amount or the value of the lost or damaged item.
Why would USPS deny an insurance claim? ›The following conditions justify the denial of a claim: No evidence of insurance coverage is provided. The mail does not bear the complete names and addresses of the mailer and addressee, or is undeliverable as addressed to either the addressee or the mailer.
What is not covered by USPS insurance? ›Insurance is not available for items that are perishable, flammable, or too fragile to withstand normal handling in the mail. If you have insured an item online, you can mail it at a Post Office, hand it to your carrier, request free package pickup online, or drop it in a USPS collection box.
What to do if USPS damages your package? ›By mail: Call 800-ASK-USPS (800-275-8777) to have a claim form mailed to you. Send the completed form with all other required supporting documentation for loss or damage of an item mailed with insured services to the address printed on the form. You must retain evidence of insurance for your claim.
Does USPS pay for damaged packages? ›Either the sender or the recipient may file a claim for insured mail that is lost, arrived damaged, or was missing contents. The person filing must have the original mailing receipt. Each claim must be filed within a certain time period and include proof of insurance, value, and damage.
How long does a USPS damage claim take? ›After receiving a completed online claim that includes all required supporting documentation for a payable claim, the Postal Service generally pays the claim within 5–7 business days.
How do I win a UPS damage claim? ›- Notify us of the loss as soon as possible. ...
- Submit supporting documentation at the time of claim submission. ...
- Retain damaged merchandise and packaging and submit multiple pictures when filing the claim. ...
- Provide accurate contact details when you submit your claim so we can reach you if we have questions.
Insurance provides coverage of up to $5,000 for merchandise that is lost, damaged, or with missing contents in the custody of the United States Postal Service®. (Registered Mail® with insurance has a liability limit of $50,000.) Customers can purchase insurance at a local Post Office™ or online.
What are the two main reasons for denying a claim? ›- Technicalities: missing codes or authorizations, claim filing mistakes.
- Medical: treatment not considered a medical necessity or is considered experimental/investigational.
Unfortunately, insurance companies can — and do — deny policyholders' claims on occasion. Some of the most common reasons for claim denials are exceeding the policy limit, lacking the needed coverage and breaking the law. Additionally, sometimes claims are incorrectly denied.
Under what circumstances are insurance claims rejected? ›
Undisclosed Medical History
Accordingly, ignoring any medical tests or withholding history related to surgeries, illnesses in the family or any other conditions can become a valid cause for rejecting your term insurance claim.
Customers may file claims for damaged and/or missing contents immediately, but no later than 60 days from the date of mailing.
What insurance company does USPS use? ›Since 1960, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan, also known as the Federal Employee Program (FEP), has provided quality health care coverage. It's made us the number one health insurance choice for active U.S. postal workers.
Should I get USPS package insurance? ›Most packages will arrive at their destination as expected, but when a package doesn't arrive or arrives damaged, it's helpful to have insurance in place, whether you have FedEx shipping insurance, UPS insurance, Route shipping insurance, or any other freight insurance carrier.
Who is responsible for a damaged package? ›Bill of Lading
If the shipper can prove without a doubt that a carrier received the goods in an undamaged state and delivered them damaged or even lost, the carrier will be liable unless there are exclusions attached. Damage should be documented through images and documentation and is required by the carrier.
Claiming by post
You can pick up a paper claim form from your nearest Post Office and send it to the address on the form - find your nearest Post Office on the Royal Mail website. There are different forms so make sure to say how the item was sent when you ask for it - for example 'first class' or 'tracked 24'.
UPS: If you are the receiver, notify UPS (by filing a claim online or by calling 1-800-742-5877) or notify the shipper to initiate the claims process. If you are the shipper, notify UPS (by filing a claim online or by calling 1-800-742-5877). UPS Customer Service will send a claim notification with a claim number.
How often do packages get damaged USPS? ›Some estimates suggest that up to 10% of packages in the U.S. arrive damaged. Sometimes a damaged package is out of the sender's control. But other times, it can be entirely avoidable, which you need to think about, especially when it comes to unboxing.
Does USPS cover damaged items without insurance? ›What does a USPS Claim cover? If your delivery were insured, USPS's claim process would cover the costs of shipping and the package value, up to the amount specified. If you did not have insurance, but a Missing Mail Search determined your delivery is lost or damaged, a claim will cover the cost of shipping.
What happens when you file a claim with USPS? ›You can receive a refund for mail that is lost or never delivered to its final destination as long as the package is insured. Collect on Delivery (COD) items, registered mail with insurance, Priority Mail Express, and other insured mail services are eligible for refunds via the USPS claim service.
Does UPS insurance cover damage? ›
UPS provides all packages automatically with $100 worth of liability for loss or damage. A shipper can choose to declare a higher value for the shipment with an additional charge. With this in mind, UPS specifically states that UPS declared value is not insurance.
Can UPS deny a claim? ›Without enough supporting documentation, the processing of your claim could be delayed or denied altogether. The dropdowns below are to help you create the best, detailed description of the issue you're experiencing with your package.
Does the sender or receiver file a UPS insurance claim? ›If you're still unable to locate the package, the sender or the intended receiver can initiate a claim. Damaged: The shipper or receiver can initiate a claim on a damaged package, although UPS encourages the shipper to report package problems.
How much does USPS charge for $500 insurance? ›Value over $100 up to $200 is $0.75. $200.01 to $500 is $2.10. $500.01 to $5,000 is $2.10 plus $1.35 per each $100 or fraction thereof.
How much does USPS charge to insure a package? ›For $50.01 to $100, it is $2.05. For $100.01 to $200, it is $2.45. For 200.01 to $300, it is $4.60. The price for each additional $100 of insurance, valued between $300 and $5,000, is $4.60 plus $0.90 for each $100 or fraction thereof.
Does Priority mail insurance cover damage? ›Priority Mail Express®:
Up to $100 insurance coverage included in price of postage with the following limits: $100 for merchandise. $100 for document reconstruction. $15 for cash.
- admitting fault,
- saying that you are not hurt,
- describing your injuries,
- speculating about what happened, or.
- saying anything on the record.
- Wrong demographic information. It is a very common and basic issue that happens while submitting claims. ...
- Incorrect Provider Information on Claims. Incorrect provider information like address, NPI, etc. ...
- Wrong CPT Codes. ...
- Claim not filed on time.
Insurer denial rates varied widely around this average, ranging from less than 1% to more than 80%.
What to do if insurance claims are not accepted? ›- Step 1: Understand Why Your Claim Was Rejected. ...
- Step 2: Reach Out to Your Insurer, TPA, and Hospital. ...
- Step 3: Gather the Proper Documentation, Data, or Proofs. ...
- Step 4: File the Claim Again. ...
- Step 5: If Needed, Approach the Nearest Ombudsman Office.
What do you do if you don't agree with an insurance claim? ›
If your health insurer refuses to pay a claim or ends your coverage, you have the right to appeal the decision and have it reviewed by a third party. You can ask that your insurance company reconsider its decision. Insurers have to tell you why they've denied your claim or ended your coverage.
In which situation insurance company will not accept claim? ›The insurance provider will reject your claim even if the mishap occurred one day after the date of policy expiry. Delay in filing the claimIn case your vehicle has met with an accident it is prudent to report the mishap as soon as possible. If there is a delay in filing claims, most insurers tend to reject the same.
What percentage of insurance claims are denied? ›30% of claims are either denied, lost or ignored.
Even the smallest medical billing and coding errors could be the reason for claim denials or payment delays. As a result, they can have a negative impact on your revenue and your billing department's efficiency.
- Claims are not filed on time.
- Inaccurate insurance ID number on the claim.
- Non-covered services.
- Services are reported separately.
- Improper modifier use.
- Inconsistent data.
Most common rejections
Duplicate claim. Eligibility. Payer ID missing or invalid. Billing provider NPI missing or invalid.
How long does it take to receive payment for an insurance claim? After receiving a completed online claim that includes all required supporting documentation for a payable claim, the Postal Service generally pays the claim within 5–7 business days.
Does USPS reimburse for lost packages not insured? ›What does a USPS Claim cover? If your delivery were insured, USPS's claim process would cover the costs of shipping and the package value, up to the amount specified. If you did not have insurance, but a Missing Mail Search determined your delivery is lost or damaged, a claim will cover the cost of shipping.
What does USPS cover for insurance? ›Insurance provides coverage of up to $5,000 for merchandise that is lost, damaged, or with missing contents in the custody of the United States Postal Service®. (Registered Mail® with insurance has a liability limit of $50,000.) Customers can purchase insurance at a local Post Office™ or online.
How long does it take USPS to approve a claim? ›Anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months. They work about as fast as any other government office and they are in no hurry to get things done. A package refused and put back in the system can take up to 21 days to be returned to the sender if Priority Mail.
How long does a check take to mail from insurance company? ›In most situations, you will receive your check within one month, but it can take longer than one month if the insurance company that you settled with takes one month or longer to issue the check and mail it out.
Does USPS actually look for lost packages? ›
The Postal Service™ will attempt to find and return your lost item(s), but submitting a search does not guarantee a successful outcome. We will return any mail piece from which we can locate a good address or match with an official search request.
Does USPS require signature for insured packages? ›A signature is required if additional insurance is purchased or for Priority Mail Express Collect on Delivery (COD).
Do all USPS packages have insurance? ›All letters or parcels sent through First Class Mail are insured against loss or damage. USPS First Class Mail offers up to $5,000 of shipping insurance for its customers.
Does USPS include insurance on packages? ›The Postal Service includes insurance for the following items: Priority Mail Express service, which includes up to $100 insurance. (See the Note below.) Priority Mail service, which includes up to $50 insurance for most retail packages, and $100 insurance for most commercial packages.
Can you sue USPS for damaged package? ›Who can file a domestic claim? Either the person sending the mailpiece (Mailer) or the person receiving the mailpiece (Recipient) may file a claim for a damaged or missing article.
How long is USPS insurance good for? ›| Customers may file claims for damaged and/or missing contents immediately, but no later than 60 days from the date of mailing. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Registered Mail | 15 days | 60 days |
| Registered Mail Collect on Delivery | 15 days | 60 days |
| Priority Mail and Other Insured Mail | 15 days | 60 days |
| Collect on Delivery | 15 days | 60 days |