What Sets the Price of Insured High-Value Shipping
The price of an insured shipment is built from the shipping itself and the insurance on the declared value, plus any extra protection the shipment needs. Each of the factors below moves the total in a different way.
| Factor | How it affects the price | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Declared value | Insurance follows the declared value, so higher value means more cover to pay for | Declare the real value, no more and no less |
| Size and weight | Carriers price by dimensions as well as weight | Pack in the smallest box that protects the contents |
| Route and destination | Local, domestic and international deliveries are priced differently | Give exact pickup and delivery addresses |
| Speed | Faster services are generally priced higher than slower ones | Choose the service that fits the deadline |
| Level of protection | Secure transport and security personnel are priced by what the shipment needs | Tell us the sensitivity of the goods |
Learn how full-value insurance works, or see our overview of insured high-value shipping.
Insurance Cost vs the Cost of a Loss
The insurance part of the price is small compared with the loss it protects against. Take a piece of jewelry worth $20,000. At a carrier whose default limit for jewelry is $1,000 per package, a loss leaves $19,000 uncovered. With full-value insurance on the declared value, the shipment is covered for what it is worth, up to $150,000.
Declared value on a carrier label is a limit of liability, not insurance, and paying a higher declared value fee does not lift a cap that a carrier applies to your type of goods. Check the limit that applies to your goods before you ship.
Why the Declared Value Matters for Price and Claims
It can be tempting to declare a lower value to reduce the insurance cost. That saves little and can cost a great deal, because a value that is too low reduces what is paid out if you need to make a claim.
Declare the full, accurate value and keep proof of it, such as an invoice, appraisal or grading report. Accurate paperwork keeps the price fair and any claim simple.
The Shipping Part: Size, Weight and Speed
Shipping costs are no longer based on weight alone. A large, light parcel can cost more than a small, heavy one because carriers also price by the space a parcel takes up. Read our guide to dimensional weight in shipping for how it is calculated.
Speed also matters. Overnight service is generally priced higher than two-day service, so choose the option that fits the real deadline. For small valuables that travel as a parcel, see our page on high-value parcel shipping.
Secure Transport and Added Protection
Some shipments need more than insurance and a signature. Armored transport, controlled handoffs and security personnel add protection for the most valuable and sensitive goods, and they are priced according to what the shipment needs.
Tell us what you are shipping and where it is going, and we will arrange the right combination. Read more about our secure transport services and secure transportation.
How to Keep Costs Reasonable Without Cutting Cover
The aim is to pay for the protection the shipment actually needs, not to remove it. These steps help:
- Pack in the smallest sturdy box that protects the contents.
- Choose the service speed that matches the real deadline.
- Declare accurate values, and keep your proof of value ready.
- Group related items into one quote when they ship together to the same place.
- Ask for a quote before you pack, so you know the size and weight to aim for.
