What does USPS insurance cost in 2023?

What does USPS insurance cost?

Protect your USPS^® shipments with added insurance, signature services, and delivery confirmation. Keep proof of when you mailed your items and know when your items are delivered safely to the correct recipient. Compare cost and service of add-ons and choose the best options for your shipping records, in-transit visibility, and delivery notices. You can order or print the forms you need online.

Extra services include enhancements that, for a fee in addition to postage, provide special features beyond those of mail classes, such as greater security and accountability. Extra services also comprise confirmation of mailing, deliv­ery, and receipt; special handling; and payment and accep­tance options for mail. Additionally, extra services can provide alternatives to both delivery and payment for goods and services.

Article Number: 000003264

General Information

• Insurance pricing is based on the dollar amount of coverage being purchased
• There is no difference in the price of insurance purchased online or at a Post Office™
• Insurance purchased online is limited to $5,000 for certain mail classes. You can purchase Insurance at any Post Office facility in amounts up to $5,000.
• Priority Mail Express® Insurance
  • Priority Mail Express Insurance (for merchandise) is provided automatically up to $100. Documents are insured against loss, damage, or rifling at no additional cost to mailer.
  • Coverage is limited to the actual value of the shipment.
  • Additional coverage may be purchased at any Post Office in increments up to $5,000

• Priority Mail® Insurance
  • Priority Mail® Insurance (for merchandise) of either $50 or $100 is provided automatically depending on payment option.
  • Additional coverage may be purchased at any Post Office in increments up to $5,000.

For detailed information on insurance fees, go to  

Domestic Extra Services

Below are highlights of changes implemented in May 2007 to domestic extra services:

Insurance

• All domestic insured items now bear a barcoded label. This includes those items with a value up to $50. Note: Unnumbered indemnity is no longer offered.
• Insured items valued up to $200 use PS Form 3813, Receipt for Domestic Insured Parcel, and receive a scan at delivery, but no signature is collected.
• Insured items valued over $200 use PS Form 3813–P, Insured Mail Receipt, and receive a scan at delivery, and a signature is collected.
• Unlike Certified Mail and Registered Mail scans, an insurance scan by itself will not provide electronic verification that the article was delivered or that a delivery attempt was made.
• Prices for insurance coverage changed as follows:
  • Value up to $50 is $1.65.
  • $50.01 to $100 is $2.05.
  • $100.01 to $200 is $2.45.
  • $200.01 to $300 is $4.60.
  • The price per additional $100 of insurance, valued over $300 up to $5,000, is $4.60 plus $0.90 per each $100 or fraction thereof.
• Prices for Express Mail insurance:
  • The first $100 of value is still provided. Values above $100 are now priced differently than for regular insurance.
  • Value over $100 up to $200 is $0.75.
  • $200.01 to $500 is $2.10.
  • $500.01 to $5,000 is $2.10 plus $1.35 per each $100 or fraction thereof.

Delivery Confirmation Service

Changes were made to fees only. The retail option fee for First-Class Mail parcels and Package Services parcels is now $0.75, and the Priority Mail retail option fee is now $0.65. The Priority Mail electronic option — included with Click-N-Ship service — remains free.

Signature Confirmation Service

Changes were made to fees only. The retail option fee for all parcels is now $2.10.

USPS first class vs priority

How much does shipping insurance cost?

For all carriers, the cost of shipping insurance depends on the value of the shipped items. The more valuable the items, the more expensive the package is to insure. See how much shipping insurance costs for UPS, Fedex, and USPS here:

USPS Insurance Cost:

Value of contents	USPS Insurance cost
Up to $50.00	$1.65
$50.01 to $100.00	$2.05
$100.01 to $200.00	$2.45
$200.01 to $300.00	$4.60
Every additional $100 value over $300 (for a value up to $5,000)	$4.60 + $.90 per $100 increase

FedEx Insurance Costs:

Value of contents	FedEx Insurance cost
Up to $100	$0
$100.01 – $300.00	$3
Every additional $100 value over $300	$1

UPS Insurance Costs:

Value of contents	UPS Insurance cost
Up to $100	$0
Every additional $100 value over $100	$1.05

UPS has a $2.70 insurance minimum, so the value of the shipped product must be at least $300 to qualify for UPS shipping insurance.

International Extra Services

Below are highlights of changes implemented in May to international extra services:

Insurance

Insurance is available for Express Mail International and Priority Mail International merchandise shipments. Check the IMM for country-specific availability.

• PS Form 3813-P is used for domestic mail only.
• Record insurance amount and fee on PS Form 2976–A, Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note — CP 72:
  • The clerk should write a “V,” insured amount, fee, and special drawing rights (SDR) conversion in spaces provided on PS Form 2976-A.
  • “V” indicates an international requirement to indi­cate the article has value.

Note: The following items are prohibited in Express Mail International shipments to all countries: Coins; banknotes; currency notes, including paper money; securities of any kind payable to bearer; traveler’s checks; platinum, gold, and silver; precious stones; jewelry, including watches; and other valuable articles.

Read Also: How many stamps do i need

Registered Mail

Registered Mail service is available for a fee for First-Class Mail International and Priority Mail International Flat-Rate Envelope shipping options only. Check the IMM for country-specific information and availability.

Note: For Registered Mail service indemnity, regardless of the declared value, the maximum amount of indemnity pay­able for loss, damage, or rifling is $43.73.

Additional extra services such as return receipt and restricted delivery are available to select destinations. Check the IMM Individual Country Listings for complete information.

Quick Tips: What does USPS insurance cost?

• Gift cards can be insured for their full value only when sent by Registered Mail service. Gift cards sent by Express Mail (which includes Express Mail insurance) or another class of mail with merchandise insurance are protected only up to the maximum indemnity for cash and negotiable items — $15. Customers should check the terms of their gift cards as many are replaceable by the issuer if they are lost or stolen.
• Online indemnity coverage is limited to $500 for lost, rifled, or damaged articles. Customers who wish to insure items for more than $500 should be instructed to take these items to a retail postal facility. Addition­ally, customers should be advised that insurance purchased online cannot be combined with insur­ance purchased at a retail postal facility.
• eBay and Click-N-Ship customers may purchase insurance and file claims online at www.usps.com. Information on how to file insurance claims can be found at www.usps.com/insuranceclaims. Note: Only claims for insurance purchased online may be filed online. Claims for insurance purchased online may also be filed using PS Form 1000, Domestic Claim, or Registered Mail Inquiry.
• To file a claim for domestic insurance purchased at a retail postal facility, customers must complete PS Form 1000 (available online and at retail postal facilities) — instructions appear on the form, and see the section on the form titled “What You Need to File a Claim.” For additional information, see DMM 609 or Notice 122, Domestic Indemnity Claims — Customer Quick Reference Guide.
• Be aware of fraudulent money orders. Always ensure the money order amount is equal to or less than the maximum amount ($1,000 domestic/$700 interna­tional), and verify security features on the money order, such as the Benjamin Franklin watermark and the vertical security thread with the word “USPS” repeated. A listing of missing, lost, or stolen U.S. money orders can be found in each issue of the Postal Bulletin. Post Offices and financial institutions may call the toll-free money order verification system at 866-459-7822 to verify if a money order was issued by the Postal Service. Information on security features and a link to Notice 299, U.S. Postal Money Order Reference Card (“Look Before You Cash!”), are available at www.usps.com/missingmoneyorders/security.htm.

Standard Shipping Insurance: USPS insurance cost

You can purchase insurance coverage for your mailpieces for up to $5,000 in indemnity to protect against loss or damage. Insurance fees are based on the item’s declared value. There are limitations for insuring some products and certain items.

Mail Insured for more than $500

The recipient may be required to show an acceptable primary ID before USPS will deliver the mailpiece.

See Acceptable IDs & Restrictions

Important Links

About Insured Mail
Insurance Exceptions
Non payable Claims

Pricing: USPS insurance cost

Insurance coverage only covers the actual value of mail contents. You may purchase up to $5,000 indemnity coverage in person at a Post Office or online.

The price is based on declared value, starting at $2.30.

Insured Mail Fees

What does USPS insurance cost in 2021?

1. Priority Mail Express & Priority Mail

With some exceptions, Priority Mail Express^® may include up to $100 of insurance and Priority Mail^® may include up to $50 in the price of service. For more valuable shipments, additional coverage is usually available.

Qualifications

Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail domestic shipments must have an applicable USPS Tracking^® barcode to qualify for included insurance. Priority Mail insurance is not included when you purchase it along with certain extra services.

A Priority Mail Express Insurance Details
Priority Mail Insurance Details

Priority Mail Express Delivery

The recipient may be required to show an acceptable primary ID before USPS will deliver the mailpiece.

See Acceptable IDs & Restrictions

Claims

Keep your postmarked mailing receipt and proof of value of your shipment in case you need to file a claim. When your mail item is lost, you should file a claim no later than 60 days from the date of mailing. If your item is damaged or missing contents, you should file a claim immediately but not later than 60 days from the date of mailing.

Payable Claims
Non payable Claims
Proof of Value
General Filing Instructions
Priority Mail Express Claims

2. Collect on Delivery (COD)

Let your customers pay for merchandise and shipping when they receive the package. You also get insurance coverage up to $1,000 based on amount to be collected or amount of insurance coverage desired, whichever is higher.

Notes

• Purchase at a Post Office, or through your Rural Carrier, depending on the mail class. Present COD for mailing to a Postal employee.
• COD service provides the mailer with a mailing receipt.
• Not available for international shipments, APO/FPO/DPO locations, and certain Freely Associated States.
• The recipient may pay the COD charges via cash, personal check, or money order payable to the mailer (accepted by the USPS employee after the recipient presents an acceptable primary ID with a clear photo).

Cost: $8.00

3. Adult Signature Restricted Delivery

With this service, your item is delivered only after the addressee or their authorized agent verifies their identity, proves that they’re 21 years of age or older, and signs for it.

Notes

• Add this service to your qualifying online label purchase.
• Not available for purchase at Post Office locations.
• Before delivery, the recipient must show an acceptable primary ID with a clear photo.

See Acceptable IDs & Restrictions
Adult Signature Restricted Delivery Details

Cost: $7.15

3. Adult Signature Required

This service requires the signature of an adult age 21 or over at the recipient’s address. You’ll get delivery information, as well as the recipient’s signature and name.

Notes

• Add this service to your qualifying online label purchase.
• Not available for purchase at Post Office locations.
• Before delivery, the recipient must show an acceptable primary ID with a clear photo.

See Acceptable IDs & Restrictions
Adult Signature Required Details

Cost: $6.90

4. Restricted Delivery

Specify the person who can sign for and receive your item. Must be purchased in combination with another extra service as follows: Certified Mail, Collect on Delivery (COD), Insured Mail (over $500), Registered Mail, or Signature Confirmation.

Notes

• Purchase at a Post Office depending on the mail class.
• USPS may request a primary ID with a clear photo for the addressee or the person authorized to sign for and receive your item.

See Acceptable IDs & Restrictions

Cost

• Certified Mail Restricted Delivery $9.15
• COD Restricted Delivery $5.40
• Insured Mail Restricted Delivery $5.40
• Registered Mail Restricted Delivery $5.34
• Signature Confirmation Restricted Delivery $8.10 (electronic) / $8.60 (retail)

5. Signature Confirmation^™

Find out information about the date and time an item was delivered or when a delivery attempt was made. Add security by requiring a signature. USPS keeps a delivery record, which you may request via email, fax, or mail.

Notes

• Purchase online or at your Post Office depending on the mail class.
• Limited availability to APO/FPO/DPO locations and certain Freely Associated States.
• Use with any service except USPS Marketing Mail^® and Adult Signature Services.
• Before delivery, the recipient must show an acceptable primary ID with a clear photo.

See Acceptable IDs & Restrictions

Cost

• $3.20 at a Post Office
• $2.70 paid online

6. Registered Mail

Get maximum security for your valuable items. Registered Mail^® items can be insured for up to $50,000 at your Post Office^™ location.

Notes

• Purchase at your Post Office or through your Rural Carrier.
• Regardless of how you purchased the service, present Registered Mail items for mailing to a Postal employee.
• Receive a mailing receipt, and upon request, electronic verification that an article was delivered or that a delivery attempt was made.
• The recipient may be required to show an acceptable primary ID before USPS will deliver the mailpiece.

See Acceptable IDs & Restrictions

Cost

Price starts at $12.90

7. Special Handling – Fragile

Get preferential handling if you’re sending unusual shipments that are fragile or other mailable content that needs extra care.

Notes

• Purchase at a Post Office.
• Content restrictions for some mail classes.

Special Handling Details

Cost

Price starts at $11.35

8. Hold For Pickup

Customers can pick up valuable and perishable merchandise at a designated Post Office.

Notes

• USPS will hold packages for up to 15 days, depending on the service selected (5 days for Priority Mail Express^®).
• Customer is notified by email that a package is available for pickup.
• The addressee must show an acceptable primary ID with a clear photo.

See Acceptable IDs & Restrictions

Cost

• No Charge

What does USPS insurance cost in 2021?

Is shipping insurance worth it?

Whether or not shipping insurance is worth the cost depends on your shipping volume and the value of your items. The chance of an average letter or package getting lost or damaged is relatively small. But if you are shipping a high volume of valuable items, then shipping insurance will likely pay for itself.

1. The casual shipper

The average person sending a letter or package generally doesn’t need shipping insurance unless the items are particularly valuable.

2. The business shipper

Business shippers, on the other hand, are constantly shipping items of value. Higher-order volume means that some of your packages will eventually get lost or damaged. And the more valuable your products are, the more you stand to lose. For ecommerce businesses shipping very expensive items, shipping insurance may be a no-brainer.

When in doubt, get shipping insurance

For both casual and business shippers, the rule is the same: If you think you might need shipping insurance, get it. It only costs a few bucks, and if your package is valuable enough that you’re considering insurance, then the small investment is worth the potential upside if something goes wrong.

Is there a USPS insurance Cost calculator?

The difference is not due to the country, but because you shipped via International Priority Mail Express but you looked up the insurance cost for domestic Priority Mail.

You can see the rates to purchase insurance for International Express mail on page 59 of the official USPS rates publication, Notice 123:

http://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/dmm300/notice123.pdf

There doesn’t seem to be any difference in price for different destinations, but the maximum that you can purchase does vary by country.

You may be confusing Global Express Guaranteed with Priority Express Mail.  The insurance rates are different for each class of mail and contents make a difference, too. 

The USPS international rate calculator calculates $6.85 for Priority Express Mail.  That’s actually the rate for up to $2000 for MERCHANDISE shipments.  There’s no need to go to the PO to get a rate.  Just look at the rate charts included in the Country Conditions for Mailing (link in calculator).

For example:

Insurance (222.8)

Available for Priority Mail Express International merchandise shipments only

Insured Amountnot over	Fee	Insured Amountnot over	Fee
$200	No Fee	For insurance coverage above $2,000, add $1.50 for each $500 or fraction thereof, up to a maximum of $5,000 per shipment.
500	$2.35
1,000	3.85
1,500	5.35
2,000	6.85	$5,000 max.	$15.85

The rates for Global Guaranteed Express Mail are different and higher, with a maximum value of $2,499. And, yes, each country has different requirements for insurance; some countries do not allow insurance at all.