Oh no! Your long-awaited FedEx package arrived, but the box is damaged and the items inside are broken. Receiving damaged goods is just about the last thing any FedEx customer wants.
Luckily, this only happens to 7% of the company’s packages. Even though the number may be low, it’s good to know what to do if you ever find yourself in a position where you need to file a FedEx insurance claim, so keep reading to learn more!
What Is the FedEx Insurance Claim In [currentyear]?
All FedEx packages include up to $100 of declared value coverage in [currentyear]. While not exactly insurance, this coverage does allow customers to file claims in the event that their package is damaged, stolen, or lost. Claims can be filed online, by mail, or over the phone. Most are resolved within 1 to 2 weeks.
I’ve got step-by-step instructions to help you file a FedEx insurance claim, so make sure to read the whole article for more facts!
Does FedEx Provide Insurance?
If you’re in a situation where you’re thinking about a FedEx insurance claim, then you’re probably wondering whether FedEx provides insurance in the first place.
Here, the answer is “kind of.” Specifically, rather than provide insurance, FedEx provides something called declared value coverage.
This coverage is included in the shipping price of all packages. It refers to the maximum amount of money FedEx will pay if a package is damaged, lost, or stolen.
As a standard option, FedEx provides declared value coverage of up to $100. This means FedEx will reimburse the shipper up to $100, should anything happen to the package.
However, it’s important to note that this $100 is a maximum. If the value of the items in a package is $50, then FedEx will only reimburse up to $50.
On the flip side, packages worth more than $100 will only be covered up to the $100 maximum, and supplemental coverage must be purchased in order to cover the additional value.
What Is Covered by FedEx Insurance?
FedEx’s declared value coverage will reimburse customers for packages that are lost, stolen, or damaged during the shipping process.
Fortunately, many items are covered by FedEx’s declared value scheme, but some are not. Check out the next section to see a partial list.
Are There Things FedEx Insurance Doesn’t Cover?
FedEx’s declared valued coverage doesn’t apply to goods damaged as a result of a fire or natural disaster.
Similarly, it doesn’t cover items that get damaged or go missing after delivery.
In both instances, the damage results from forces outside of FedEx’s control and thus are not included in the coverage.
FedEx also doesn’t cover high-value items that exceed the maximum liability coverage of $1000.
Some examples of high-value items include:
- Artwork
- Film (including photographic images, negatives, and slides)
- Antiques
- Plasma screens
- Jewelry and furs
- Precious metals
- Stocks, bonds, cash letters, or cash equivalents
- Collector’s items (coins, stamps, souvenirs, and memorabilia)
Who Can File a FedEx Insurance Claim?
In almost all cases, the sender should file the insurance claim.
That being said, the sender most likely won’t need to work with the recipient to gather an account of what happened and/or provide proof of damage.
How Do I File a FedEx Insurance Claim?
You can file an insurance claim on FedEx’s website. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Complete the Online Claim Form
Complete the online claim form by entering your tracking or PRO number, selecting your claim type, and fill in additional information (e.g. name, address, and a description of the incident).
Step 2: Add Supporting Documents
Provide proof of damage (if applicable) and/or show the value of the items by dragging and dropping documents from your computer to the claim form.
Some examples of documents to include are as follows:
- Scan of FedEx Airbill, Ship Manager print out, or FedEx Ground Pickup Record
- Photos of the packages and damaged contents
- Serial number(s) of damaged or lost merchandise
- Copy of retail invoice/receipt
Step 3: Submit Your Online Claim Form
Review the information you provided, submit the claim form, and note your case number.
Step 4: Schedule an Inspection or Complete Your Own
In some cases, FedEx will require you to complete an inspection as part of your claim. Knowing that you should keep the shipment’s packaging intact until your claim is resolved.
However, if you decide to conduct your own package inspection, you should download and complete the Inspection Report form from the FedEx website.
Next, upload and attach any digital images of your shipment’s packaging or content to the report.
When you’re done, submit the report online or email it to the email address listed on the form.
Step 5: Track the Status of Your Claim
Log in to your FedEx account to check the status of your claim online. Alternatively, you can request email updates.
Most customers file their claims online. However, it’s possible to do it by mail or over the phone.
When submitting a claim by mail, download the claim form and provide the following information:
- Shipper info
- Recipient information
- Tracking number
- Date of shipment
- Number of pieces
- Shipment weight
- Any supporting documents
Send the completed claim form and any supporting documents to the following address:
FedEx Cargo Claims Department
P.O. Box 26628
Salt Lake City, UT 84126
Contact customer service at 1-800-463-3339 to submit a claim over the phone.
Say Claims to be directed to a customer service representative who can help you fill out the form and get a case number for your claim.
Lastly, submit any supporting documentation online or through the mail.
How Long Does a FedEx Insurance Claim Take?
Most FedEx claims are resolved within 1 to 2 weeks of FedEx receiving the claim form and the supporting claim documentation.
However, it may take longer if additional research and/or documentation is required.
If a claim is approved, you’ll receive a reimbursement for the declared value of your package shortly after.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a FedEx Insurance Claim?
You have 21 calendar days after delivery to file an insurance claim for a FedEx Express package.
For Grounds claims, you must file no later than 60 calendar days after the delivery date.
To know more, you can also read our posts on FedEx informed delivery, does FedEx scan packages, and is it easy to get a job at FedEx.
Conclusion
Thankfully, most FedEx customers don’t have to deal with filing an insurance claim. Still, it’s good to know that all FedEx packages come with some coverage and that filing a claim is a simple matter of completing an online form.
