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Congratulations!
You closed a huge sale with a distant customer and have insurance for shipping jewelry already in place.
You’re covered if anything happens to your shipment, right? Not so fast.
Just because coverage was purchased (whether it's on your jewelers block insurance or through a third-party) doesn't mean that it's always in effect.
Keep these things in mind so you know when insurance for shipping jewelry begins and how to keep your shipment secure.
Coverage begins with a scan
Every courier has a scanner and should scan each package they collect.
A record is created when the first scan takes place, which essentially triggers coverage. While the courier is unlikely to forget to scan your package, they’re human just like jewelers.
You’re both busy and while it feels good to have a trustworthy courier who can come and do a pickup without interrupting you, it’s worth watching them scan the package.
If you’re worried about spending a few precious seconds to take this extra step, don’t worry: there are other ways to save time shipping jewelry.
Coverage ends with a scan
Any scans in between the first and last scan are based on the service offered by the carrier (you can learn about different USPS shipping options here).
While they’re nice to have for showing the progress of your package, they’re not essential components of insurance for shipping jewelry.
The final scan happens after the package has been delivered and that ends the coverage.
The key here is that not all deliveries are created equal. Make sure to request a signature when shipping and be careful that you’re signing for the correct shipment when receiving.
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It’s important to communicate with the other party involved so you know if multiple packages are being sent and who the shipments will be coming from (since including “jewelry” anywhere on the label is risky).
Lastly, if you’re on the receiving end, be sure to examine the packages for any damage before signing off.
These measures help protect packages in addition to insurance for shipping jewelry.
“Dropboxes” don’t start coverage
Jewelers have lost packages in the past because they used a dropbox and discovered that there was no scanned record of the package.
When the term “dropbox” is used, don’t limit your thinking to the old, blue USPS contraptions at your downtown street corner — this also extends to carrier hubs at department stores, grocers, and pharmacies.
RELATED: Package Handler Stole Nearly $40,000 In Jewelry from FedEx Packages
While the carrier may do pick-ups there, you’re leaving your valuables unattended and hoping for a scan later. If the package is lost and a scan never occurs, this is considered “voluntary parting” and is not covered.
This also applies when shipping to a residential address, because having a doorman or someone else sign for the package will end coverage. Therefore, you should request a signature from the intended recipient only.
Get help with insurance for shipping jewelry
One day you may find yourself making a big sale that needs to be shipped and not having coverage in place.
Use JM™ Shipping Solution to make your life easier — you can buy insurance in batches and even sync your jewelers block insurance if you’re insured with Jewelers Mutual.
Plus, you can compare side-by-side rate comparisons with all of the major carriers and their service types with exclusive discounts built in!
