Why Checkout Protection Is Not Always Enough
Protection plans offered at checkout are built for ordinary orders. Before you rely on one for high-value goods, check the maximum order value it covers, what it excludes and how a claim is paid. Declared value on a carrier label is also a limit of liability, not insurance, and carriers cap it for items such as jewelry, watches and precious metals.
With full-value insurance, the declared value of each shipment is covered, up to $150,000 with Unival. Read more on our eCommerce industry page, or see our overview of insured high-value shipping.
The aim is to protect the sale, not just the parcel. A lost order costs the product, the shipping and the customer, and a replacement ships at your expense.
What to Set Up for Each Type of Online Order
Different orders carry different risks. This table shows what to set up for each.
| Order type | Main risk | What to set up |
|---|---|---|
| High-value domestic orders | Loss or theft at the door | Signature delivery, full declared value |
| International orders | Customs delays, value disputes | Commercial invoice with the correct value |
| Returns of high-value items | Wrong item sent back, damage | Photos, serial numbers, insured return leg |
| Marketplace orders | Platform dispute rules | Tracking and stored proof of delivery |
| Wholesale and B2B orders | Many items, high combined value | Itemized invoice, declared value matching it |
Whatever the order, the declared value should match your paperwork. A value that is too low can reduce what is paid out if you need to make a claim.
Signed Delivery and Order Disputes
Many online disputes start with a customer saying an order never arrived. Signed delivery, every scan in tracking and a stored proof of delivery give you a record of what was sent, when it moved and who received it, which can help you resolve a dispute with a customer, a marketplace or a payment provider.
Keep photographs of each order before it is sealed, and record serial numbers where they exist. The better the record, the easier the dispute.
API and Shopify Integration
Unival offers API and Shopify integration, so a growing business can connect its store to its shipping instead of re-entering each order by hand. Read more about our API and Shopify integration, and ask us what is available for your platform when you request a quote.
High-Value eCommerce by Category
The details of protecting an order depend on what is in it. These pages cover each category:
For small high-value orders that travel as a parcel, see our page on high-value parcel shipping. For the most valuable orders, armored transport, controlled handoffs and security personnel can be arranged. Read more about our secure transport services and secure transportation.
Returns and International Orders
A return is a shipment of its own. Insure the return leg for the value of the item, record its condition and serial number when it leaves the customer and again when it arrives, and compare both with the original order.
International orders need accurate customs paperwork, including a commercial invoice with the correct value and a clear description. Import rules, duties and restrictions vary by country, and some destinations are restricted under US export and sanctions rules.
What Affects the Cost of Insured eCommerce Shipping?
The price has two parts: the shipping and the insurance on the declared value. The size and weight of each order, the destination, the delivery speed and the declared value all change the total. Read our guide to dimensional weight in shipping and see shipping insurance cost for how each factor works.
We quote each arrangement before orders move. Get a quote with your order values, volumes and destinations.
How to Pack and Document High-Value Orders
Good packing and good records prevent most disputes. For every high-value order, check the following:
- Keep the invoice and proof of value for the item.
- Photograph the item and record serial numbers or certificates before sealing.
- Pack the item so it cannot move, with a second box around the first for fragile or high-value goods.
- Use a plain outer box with no mention of the contents or the brand.
- Declare the full, accurate value of the order.
- Require a signature on delivery and tell the customer when to expect it.
