What protection is there for damage to packages sent during the holidays?

What is the guarantee for damage to packages sent during holidays? It's the winter and Christmas holidays, which means the postal industry will be very busy. This year, UPS expects...

It is the winter Christmas holiday period, which means the postal industry will be very busy.

This year, UPS expects to ship 527 million packages, just between Thanksgiving and Christmas, beating last year's record 480 million packages.

During the same time frame, FedEx is expected to ship more than 280 million packages, and the U.S. Postal Service estimates it will handle more than 17 billion holiday cards, letters and packages.

Eric Nash, director of online marketing, said: "These three shipping operators are very reliable."

However, the three major operators also admit that sometimes, things can go wrong. Some people consider whether to purchase insurance for packages they send, said Ariel Shmorak, vice president of mailing insurance services: "It depends on the value of the package, and the risk tolerance of the shipper."

He noted that when it comes to electronics and expensive items, consumers should consider insurance coverage.

When purchasing mail shipping insurance, you should know the following 5 things. (1) Some mail packages are automatically covered

If your package is worth $100 or less, you may already be covered by insurance.

Every UPS package shipped within the United States, as long as the value is US$100 or less, will be covered by automatic insurance if it is lost or damaged. However, the Postal Service's service is different and only provides automatic coverage of $100 for express mail.

All three major carriers offer coverage for a declared value rather than insurance.

This means that if the value of the package exceeds 100 US dollars, the value of the package must be written down. If this is not done, the carrier's maximum liability is $100, even if the package is worth $1,000.

If you need additional protection, you must pay more insurance fees. (2) Notes on shipping insurance

> Be sure to read all the terms carefully before shipping the package. "Consumers need to make sure what's not covered," Ariel said.

For example, UPS doesn't cover coins, cash or gemstones, just to name a few. FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service are in a similar situation.

In addition, the operator does not cover certain places. If it is an international mail, you should find out which places are not covered.

In addition, some projects are also limited to specific declared values. For example, FedEx limits the declared value of art, plasma televisions and antiques to more than $1,000.

Furthermore, the packaging requirements are also strict, and the carrier will not cover improperly packaged mail. Ariel said: "Don't just put the vase into a plastic bag and then ship the package." (3) File a claim

If the package is damaged, lost or stolen, you must fill out a compensation document.

Ariel said: "The major operators will not admit their mistakes and send checks by themselves. Therefore, they must send the information requesting compensation by themselves."

Moreover, the application must be made as soon as possible. The three major operators have different application deadlines. The U.S. Postal Service recommends that the filing date be within 6 months.

> FedEx requires a claim to be submitted. If there is damage, you can apply for a claim within 60 days of purchasing the postal service. If you do not receive the package, you can apply for a claim within 9 months.

(4) You need supporting documents

Make sure you have documentation for any claim, Ariel said: "Tell them what is being mailed and prove the value."

Stroll added: "Generally speaking, it is also wise to take photos of every item that is mailed."

In some cases, an estimated cost of repairs is required.

If the damaged item can be repaired, the carrier will not pay the full amount of the item. For example, if a computer's video card breaks during transportation, the carrier may compensate part of the cash but not the entire computer. (5) Waiting time

The whole process may take some time. Ariel said: "There are some operators that are a little slower than others, especially large companies, such as FedEx, UPS and the Postal Service."

For example, UPS requires 7 to 10 working days to check for a package that has been reported missing. If UPS cannot find the package, it will send a letter to the declarer and fill in the information to request compensation.

However, once the file is received, the processing process is relatively fast, and in most cases, it is resolved within 3 to 5 days.

FedEx pointed out that in most cases it takes 5 to 7 days to process, and the US Postal Service takes longer, probably within 30 days to pay compensation.