Why Standard Carrier Coverage Is Not Enough for Valuables
Standard carrier liability is designed for ordinary parcels. For high-value items it often falls short: carriers commonly apply special limits or exclusions to jewelry, watches, artwork and precious metals, and their basic liability is usually a small fraction of what such a shipment is worth.
Declared value is also not the same as insurance. Declaring a value tells the carrier what you say the shipment is worth, but it does not guarantee that the full amount is paid if something goes wrong. Full-value insurance is a separate layer of protection that covers the declared value of the shipment, up to $150,000 with Unival.
That gap is why Chicago dealers, clinics and businesses ship valuables with a provider that treats insurance and secure handling as one service.
Insured Shipping for Chicago's High-Value Trades
Chicago's Jewelers Row District runs along Wabash Avenue in the Loop, mainly between East Washington and East Monroe Streets. A Chicago Landmark since 2003, it has been the city's center of jewelry, silver and watch manufacturing, trade and repair for more than a century.
West of the Loop, the Illinois Medical District brings together more than 40 healthcare organizations, including major hospitals, and the wider Chicago region is home to medical device and life sciences companies. The table shows what typically matters most for each type of shipment leaving Chicago.
| Shipment | Typical Chicago sender | What matters most |
|---|---|---|
| Jewelry and diamonds | Dealers, manufacturers, retailers | Accurate declared value, signature at delivery |
| Watches | Dealers, watchmakers, collectors | Serial number records, signed delivery |
| Medical equipment and supplies | Device companies, clinics, laboratories | Documented handling, delivery on a set date |
| Fine art and collectibles | Galleries, collectors, dealers | Condition records, careful packing |
Every shipment is insured for its declared value, up to $150,000. Learn how full-value insurance works before you ship.
Shipping Medical Equipment and Supplies From Chicago
Most healthcare senders ship medical supplies and consumables, diagnostic and monitoring equipment, or documents that must arrive on a set date. Overnight and two-day options are chosen at booking for each shipment.
Every shipment is tracked from pickup to signature, every scan is visible in tracking, and the proof of delivery is stored with the shipment. Declare the full value and the shipment is insured for it.
Shipping From Chicago to the Rest of the US and Abroad
Insurance only helps if the shipment can reach the buyer, dealer or clinic on the other end. From Chicago we ship valuables across the United States and internationally, using major carrier networks combined with Unival's own coverage and secure handling. Read more about our secure transportation.
Delivery time depends on the service and the destination. For international shipments, accurate customs paperwork, including a commercial invoice with the correct value and description, prevents delays and supports any later insurance claim.
What Affects the Cost of Insured Shipping From Chicago?
The price has two parts: the shipping itself and the insurance on the declared value. The declared value, the destination, the delivery speed and the handling requirements all change the total.
Because every shipment is different, we quote it before it moves. Get a quote with your item type, value and destination.
How to Prepare a High-Value Shipment
Good preparation prevents most disputes. Before you ship, check the following:
- Keep the invoice, appraisal or other proof of value for the item.
- Photograph the item and record serial numbers, certificates or grading reports where they exist.
- Declare the full, accurate value. Under-declaring can reduce what is paid out in a claim.
- Use plain, sealed packaging with no mention of the contents on the outside.
- Make sure the recipient is available to sign for the delivery.
