Six Myths About Shipping and Insurance

Shipping insurance can be useful, but old rules of thumb can lead sellers to buy the wrong coverage. Here are six common assumptions worth checking before you ship.

Myth #1: Insurance takes care of the buyer's refund.

Coverage helps the party named in the policy recover a covered loss; it does not replace your obligations to a buyer. A store or marketplace may require you to resolve a missing or damaged order before your own insurance claim is finished. Keep those two workflows separate and follow the rules of the marketplace where the sale occurred.

Myth #2: You have to buy insurance from the carrier.

Some sellers use carrier-provided protection; others choose a third-party insurer. Compare eligibility, limits, exclusions, claim requirements, and current prices. Neither option is automatically better for every shipment.

Myth #3: Every electronics shipment is excluded.

Restrictions depend on the item, service, destination, and specific policy. Do not assume electronics are always covered or never covered. Read the terms for the exact device you are sending, including any packaging, tracking, or signature requirements.

Myth #4: International shipments cannot be insured.

Coverage varies by country, carrier service, and provider. Some services include protection, others may offer additional coverage, and some shipments may be ineligible. Check the destination and service terms rather than relying on an old mail-class name or a blanket promise.

Myth #5: Insuring every package requires a trip to the post office.

Online shipping workflows can let you review and insure eligible shipments in batches. With ShipSaver, you can choose which orders need coverage, use bulk tools, and review insurance activity. Confirm each purchase succeeded, especially if you process many orders at once.

Myth #6: You can always add insurance after shipping.

Purchase timing is set by the provider's current terms; it is not a universal grace period. Check the rules before you hand off a package, and do not assume coverage exists until the purchase is confirmed. For ShipSaver, consult the insurance terms for the applicable conditions.