eBay ShipCover vs Secursus: price and cover compared
What you pay per parcel, and what you actually get back.
eBay Insurance
- Bought in one click at label checkout
- Pricier: about $14.49 to cover $1,000
- Caps at $15,000 domestic, $10,000 international
- Coins, loose stones and plasma screens excluded
- Sets and pairs paid only in part
Secursus Insurance
- Full cover up to $120,000 per shipment
- Sets and pairs paid in full, not in part
- Full agreed value, with no depreciation
- Jewelry, watches and collectibles included
- Valid claims paid in about 3 days
| Package Value | eBay Price | Secursus Price |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $14.49 | $10.00 |
| $2,000 | $29.68 | $20.00 |
| $3,000 | $44.46 | $30.00 |
| $5,000 | $74.33 | $50.00 |
| $10,000 | $201.58 | $100.00 |
Costs based on eBay ShipCover USPS domestic rates, 2026 (terms updated May 21, 2026). Secursus figures are estimates at about 1% of declared value.
Insure your eBay package in 3 steps
Ship your eBay package as usual and insure it in a few clicks on Secursus.
For eBay sellers, ShipCover is the path of least resistance: tick a box at label checkout and the parcel is insured. Convenient, yes. But ShipCover is also one of the more expensive ways to insure a package, it caps at $15,000, and it quietly excludes items many sellers ship every day. Here is what ShipCover really costs in 2026, and how Secursus, a third party shipping insurance, does more for less.
Key takeaways for 2026: eBay ShipCover is underwritten by Arch Specialty and priced in value bands, from about $14.49 to cover $1,000 on USPS. It caps at $15,000 domestic ($10,000 international), excludes coins, loose stones and plasma screens, and pays sets only in part. Claims go to PIP within 90 days, paid to PayPal. Secursus covers up to $120,000 at full agreed value, jewelry and watches included, often for less.
How much does eBay ShipCover cost in 2026?
ShipCover is priced in value bands, not a flat rate. On USPS labels it starts at a $1.70 minimum and works out to roughly $1.45 to $2.00 per $100. On UPS and FedEx labels it is a little cheaper, from $1.49. Either way it is dearer than a Secursus policy at the same value.
| Declared value | ShipCover cost (USPS) |
| $0.01 to $100 | $1.70 minimum |
| Each $100 band | About $1.45 to $2.00 per $100 |
| Maximum domestic | $15,000 per package |
| Maximum international | $10,000 per package |
| FedEx and UPS labels | Slightly cheaper, from $1.49 |
ShipCover vs carrier insurance: which to pick
At checkout eBay lets you pick ShipCover or the carrier's own insurance, such as USPS shipping insurance or FedEx insurance. ShipCover is simpler and has a higher ceiling than carrier add-ons, but it is not always the cheapest, and both are beaten by Secursus on high-value parcels.
The right answer depends on value: for routine parcels either works; for anything valuable, it pays to compare parcel insurance across carriers first.
The real gap: ShipCover's $15,000 cap and excluded valuables
ShipCover stops at $15,000 per package domestically and $10,000 internationally, and it caps or drops the very items sellers most want protected: coins, loose stones and plasma screens are excluded, and pairs or sets are paid only in part. One honest caveat: like almost all shipping insurance, neither ShipCover nor Secursus covers doorstep theft after a parcel is marked delivered, both protect the parcel in transit only. Where Secursus differs is the ceiling and the valuables: full agreed value up to $120,000, jewelry, watches and collectibles included, with sets paid in full.
What ShipCover excludes
ShipCover's terms rule out a surprising number of everyday items.
| Item or situation | ShipCover |
| Coins, bullion, loose stones | Not covered |
| Plasma TVs and monitors | Not covered |
| Theft after delivery | Not covered |
| Pairs and sets | Only a fair portion paid |
| Insufficient packaging | Voids the claim |
2026 cost comparison: ShipCover vs Secursus
Across common values, ShipCover costs noticeably more than a Secursus policy, and the gap widens at the top.
| Package value | ShipCover (USPS) | Secursus est. cost | You save |
| $1,000 | $14.49 | ~$10 | ~30% |
| $2,000 | $29.68 | ~$20 | ~33% |
| $3,000 | $44.46 | ~$30 | ~33% |
| $5,000 | $74.33 | ~$50 | ~33% |
| $10,000 | $201.58 | ~$100 | ~50% |
What ShipCover covers, and what it denies
Both cover loss and damage in transit. The real divergence is the ceiling and the valuables: ShipCover caps at $15,000 and limits coins, loose stones and sets, while Secursus pays full agreed value up to $120,000.
| Scenario | ShipCover | Secursus |
| Lost in transit | Yes, file after 30 days | Yes |
| Damaged in transit | Yes, file after 7 days | Yes |
| Theft after delivery | No | In transit only |
| Value above $15,000 | No | Yes, up to $120,000 |
How to file a ShipCover claim, step by step
Filing is straightforward but slow to start, with waiting periods before you can even open a claim.
| Step | What to do | Watch out |
| 1. Wait out the window | 7 days for damage, 30 days for loss | You cannot file before this |
| 2. Create the claim | Seller Hub, shipping labels, create claim | File within 90 days |
| 3. Provide proof | Invoice, photos, return the item if asked | Keep all packaging |
| 4. Verification | PIP confirms the loss with the buyer | No buyer response can stall it |
| 5. Payout | Paid to your PayPal account | Usually within about 7 business days |
The pair and set trap
One clause surprises collectors and fashion sellers: if part of a pair or set is lost or damaged, ShipCover pays only a fair portion of the set, not the full value. Secursus insures the agreed value of the whole.
When Secursus beats ShipCover
ShipCover is fine for small, low-value orders shipped and delivered without incident. Secursus wins whenever high value, valuables, or a set is involved.
Choose Secursus when a parcel is worth more than a few thousand dollars, when you ship pairs or sets, or when you simply want a lower premium with full-value payouts.
Category coverage: ShipCover vs Secursus
| Category | ShipCover | Secursus |
| Watches and jewelry | Covered, loose stones excluded | Up to $120,000 |
| Electronics | Covered, plasma screens excluded | Full value |
| Collectibles | Covered, sets paid in part | Specialist cover |
| Used and second-hand goods | Actual cash value | Full agreed value |
| Theft after delivery | Not covered | In transit only |
Why choose Secursus for your eBay insurance?
We cover the items that eBay won't, from pick-up to delivery.
Claims Paid Within 30 Days Maximum
Our dedicated claims team handles everything for you:
- Report your claim; we guide you through every step
- We assist you with the process with eBay
- Receive compensation within 30 days of confirmation of the loss or damage by eBay
Full Coverage up to $120,000
Our insurance covers most goods that are typically excluded:
- Watches and jewellery
- High-tech devices and mobile phones
- Vintage items and collectibles
- Second-hand goods
Shipping Tips & Prevention
Before shipping and insuring your package, you receive:
- Our shipping guidelines to protect your package
- Advice on packing and preparing goods for shipment
- Clear instructions to follow in the event of a problem
eBay insurance: your questions answered
The ShipCover questions sellers ask us most.
Is ShipCover the only insurance on eBay?
No. ShipCover is eBay own insurance, underwritten by Arch Specialty through PIP, but you can also choose the carrier insurance at label checkout. Secursus is a third option that covers far higher values for less.
How much does eBay ShipCover cost?
On USPS labels it starts at a $1.70 minimum and runs about $1.45 to $2.00 per $100, so roughly $14.49 to cover $1,000. Secursus covers the same parcel from around $10.
Does eBay ShipCover cover stolen packages?
Only in transit. ShipCover covers theft while the parcel is moving, up to its $15,000 cap, but not doorstep theft after the carrier marks it delivered. Secursus works the same way: it protects the parcel in transit, not after delivery, but pays full agreed value up to $120,000 for in-transit loss, theft or damage.
What is the maximum ShipCover will insure?
Up to $15,000 per package on domestic labels and $10,000 international. Secursus insures up to $120,000 per shipment.
How long do I have to file a ShipCover claim?
You must wait 7 days for damage or 30 days for loss, then file within 90 days. Payouts go to your PayPal account, usually within about 7 business days.
What does ShipCover not cover?
Coins, bullion, loose gemstones and plasma screens are excluded, sets and pairs are paid only in part, and poor packaging voids the claim. Secursus covers these at full agreed value.
How do I add insurance to an eBay shipment?
You add ShipCover or the carrier's insurance at label checkout, before you buy the label: pick the insurance option and enter the item value. You cannot add ShipCover after a label is printed without voiding and reprinting. With Secursus you insure separately after shipping: enter the tracking number on our site by midnight on the ship date, for any signed-for eBay parcel, up to $120,000.
Can you insure eBay Standard Envelope or eBay International Standard?
eBay Standard Envelope is a low-cost, lightly tracked service and is not eligible for ShipCover, so there is no real insurance option. For eBay International Standard and other tracked, signed-for shipments you can add ShipCover (capped at $10,000 international) or insure the full value with Secursus, up to $120,000.
Do I need insurance to sell on eBay?
eBay does not require sellers to insure shipments, and its Money Back Guarantee protects the buyer, not you. Without cover a lost or damaged parcel usually comes out of your pocket. For low-value items it may not be worth it; for anything valuable, insuring the full declared value protects your margin.
What is eBay Commerce Insurance?
eBay Commerce Insurance is a separate program aimed at business sellers, not the same as ShipCover shipping insurance on a single parcel. To protect one shipment's value against loss, theft or damage in transit, you use ShipCover, the carrier's insurance, or a dedicated insurer like Secursus.
Want to use the Secursus service ? Insure a package
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