The Importance of Transit Cover

18th June 2024, 9:09am in Shipping Advice by Dan Jones

At Interparcel, we pride ourselves on offering a wide selection of reliable parcel delivery services from top-rated couriers. However, despite the best efforts, parcels can sometimes get lost or damaged. This is where Transit Cover comes in, providing an additional layer of security and peace of mind.

What is Transit Cover?

Transit Cover represents the financial value your parcel is insured for during delivery. Our services often include a basic level of Transit Cover, denoted by a blue shield icon next to each service option. For parcels exceeding this value, you can purchase Enhanced Cover to ensure full protection.

Whether you're shipping within the UK or internationally, Transit Cover offers assurance that your consignment is protected.

Inclusive and Enhanced Transit Cover

Most of the courier services we offer include free Transit Cover as standard. (Typically, between £15 - £25). This is highlighted during the booking process and confirmed once the order is booked.

However, you have the option to add additional Transit Cover to any of our services for a small fee. The maximum amount of Transit Cover you can add varies per service but will not exceed £2000. Transit cover is currently charged at 5% of the additional cover on most services.

For example, if your item is £200 and the service includes £25 of free cover. You will pay 5% of £175. So, to fully protect your parcel, which includes loss and damage, you will pay £8.75 + VAT.

Specific Service Rates

PLEASE NOTE, some services like pallet shipments, Evri Light & Large and Parcelforce Express 48 Large have an Enhanced Cover rate of 8%.

When to Add Extra Cover

Adding Enhanced Cover is particularly beneficial when shipping valuable items or to regions with adverse weather conditions. eCommerce sellers, in particular, can mitigate the risk of financial loss from damaged or lost parcels. However, it's crucial to check if your items fall under Prohibited or Restricted categories, as these are excluded from Transit Cover.

Ensuring Adequate Packaging

Proper packaging is essential for protecting your parcels. Ensure your goods are securely packed using:

Double-walled cardboard boxes of appropriate size
Individual wrapping for each item with cushioning materials
Internal padding like packing peanuts or bubble wrap
Strong packing tape

Insufficient packaging can invalidate any claims for damages. We recommend taking photos of your packaged items before sealing the box to verify compliance with courier guidelines. Our packaging guide offers detailed instructions on best practices.

Handling Damaged Parcels

If your parcel arrives damaged, contact us within 28 days. You'll need to provide photos of the damaged items and packaging, along with an invoice or receipt for the consignment's value. The recipient should retain the damaged items in their original packaging in case an inspection is required.

Dealing with Lost Parcels

For parcels not delivered within the expected timeframe, our support team is available via telephone, email, live chat, and social media to assist. If the parcel is declared lost, we'll initiate the claims process, requiring an invoice or receipt to validate the claim's value.

Exclusions from Transit Cover

Transit Cover does not apply to Prohibited items such as perishable goods, weapons, or hazardous materials, nor to Restricted items like laptops, glass, and car bumpers. Additionally, claims for insufficiently packaged items or those falling under Prohibited or Restricted categories will be denied. It's the sender's responsibility to ensure their items are eligible for Transit Cover.

Adding Enhanced Cover

During the booking process, if your parcel exceeds the included cover, you'll be prompted to add Enhanced Cover for a specified fee, ensuring your package is fully protected. Ready to Send Your Parcel?

When you're ready to book, enter your parcel dimensions and weight into our online quote tool, or bulk upload orders via CSV in your Shipping Manager. For a small additional cost, you can rest assured knowing your package is covered against unforeseen events.