FedEx insurance vs Secursus: cost and cover at a glance
What you pay for declared value, and what you actually get back on a high-value parcel.
FedEx Insurance
- $100 of liability included at no extra charge
- Valuables capped at $1,000: jewelry, watches, collectibles
- Payouts cut down by depreciation
- You must prove FedEx was at fault to be paid
- No cover once the parcel is scanned delivered
Secursus Insurance
- Full cover up to $120,000 per shipment
- Jewelry, watches and electronics included
- Full declared value paid, with no depreciation
- Theft after delivery is covered
- Valid claims paid in about 3 days
| Package Value | FedEx Price | Secursus Price |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $16.50 | $10.00 |
| $2,000 | $33.00 | $20.00 |
| $3,000 | $49.50 | $30.00 |
| $5,000 | $82.50 | $50.00 |
| $10,000 | $165.00 | $100.00 |
Costs based on FedEx declared value fees, 2026 (effective January 5, 2026). Secursus figures are estimates at about 1% of declared value.
Insure your FedEx package in 3 steps
Ship your FedEx package as usual and insure it in a few clicks on Secursus.
If you ship anything valuable with FedEx, the price of a declared value is the easy part. The hard part is what happens when a parcel goes missing or arrives crushed. FedEx does not sell insurance; it sets a liability cap and pays only after you prove both the item's value and its own fault. Here is what that means for your 2026 shipments, and how Secursus changes the math.
Key takeaways for 2026: FedEx includes $100 of liability free, then charges $4.95 up to $300 and $1.65 per extra $100. Jewelry, watches, art and collectibles are capped at $1,000, payouts are reduced for depreciation, and theft after delivery is not covered. Secursus insures the same parcels up to $120,000 at full value, with claims paid in about 3 days.
How much does FedEx insurance cost in 2026?
FedEx builds coverage on top of a free base. Every package includes $100 of liability at no charge. Above that you pay a declared value fee: a flat $4.95 covers a value from $100.01 to $300, and each additional $100 or part of it over $300 adds $1.65. The table below shows the structure effective January 5, 2026.
| Declared value | FedEx declared value fee |
| First $100 | Included, no charge |
| $100.01 to $300 | $4.95 flat |
| Each $100 over $300 | Add $1.65 |
| Maximum, general goods | $50,000 per package |
| Items of extraordinary value | Capped at $1,000 |
Why declared value is not the same as insurance
This is the distinction that catches most shippers out. Declared value is a ceiling on what FedEx might pay, not a promise to pay it. To collect, you have to file a claim, prove the item's value with an original invoice, and show that FedEx was at fault. Even then, FedEx pays the lowest of the repair cost, the depreciated value, or the replacement cost.
Real insurance works the other way around. Secursus covers the declared value directly, without asking you to prove negligence, and pays the full agreed amount.
The $1,000 cap: the items FedEx barely covers
FedEx keeps a long list of items it will only cover up to $1,000, no matter how much you declare or pay. It is, unfortunately, a list of exactly the things people most want to protect.
| Item type | Maximum FedEx will pay |
| Jewelry, watches and their parts | $1,000 |
| Precious metals and bullion | $1,000 |
| Art, antiques and collectibles (coins, stamps, cards) | $1,000 |
| Plasma and flat screens | $1,000 |
| Cash and currency | Not covered at all |
What FedEx covers, and what it denies
Like any liability scheme, FedEx coverage has hard edges. A parcel lost inside the FedEx network is usually paid; a parcel stolen from a porch after a clean delivery scan usually is not.
| Scenario | Covered by FedEx? | The catch |
| Lost in transit | Yes | You have 9 months to file |
| Damaged in transit | Yes | Keep the original packaging |
| Missing contents | Yes | Only 60 days to file |
| Theft after Delivered scan | No | You must prove FedEx negligence |
Does FedEx cover porch piracy?
Not in practice. FedEx offers no explicit yes, and because reimbursement requires proving FedEx was negligent, a package marked delivered is treated as delivered. FedEx points customers to prevention instead, and automatically requires a signature once declared value reaches $500. Secursus, by contrast, covers theft after delivery when a signature was requested.
How to file a FedEx claim, step by step
Filing is doable, but the deadlines are unforgiving and depend on the problem. Miss the window and the claim is void.
| Step | What to do | Watch out |
| 1. Confirm the issue | Check tracking for loss or damage | For loss, wait for confirmed non-delivery |
| 2. Gather proof | Original invoice, photos, serial numbers | Keep the original packaging |
| 3. File online | FedEx Claims Center, login required | Damage 60 days, loss 9 months |
| 4. Inspection | FedEx may inspect the item and box | Do not discard packaging |
| 5. Payout | Paid by check or EFT | At the lowest of repair, depreciated or replacement value |
Real-world case studies
The reason merchants move to third-party cover is rarely the premium. It is cash flow and certainty when something goes wrong.
| Scenario | The FedEx reality | The Secursus advantage |
| A $10,000 watch, Priority Overnight | Capped at $1,000 unless enrolled in the jewelry program | Full $10,000 cover, up to a $120,000 limit |
| A $2,500 laptop for resale | Paid at depreciated value, packaging disputes common | Full agreed value, paid in about 3 days |
| A $4,000 antique shipped cross-country | Capped at $1,000 as a collector's item | Specialist cover at full value |
Shipping internationally with FedEx
Sending a FedEx parcel overseas adds a second rulebook, and it is stricter than the domestic one.
Abroad, FedEx caps carriage value at $50,000, but jewelry, watches, art and even smartphones, tablets and laptops are all limited to $1,000 per shipment, and the international claim window shrinks to just 21 days. Secursus keeps one $120,000 limit across every route.
Category coverage: FedEx vs Secursus
| Category | FedEx | Secursus |
| Watches and jewelry | $1,000 cap | Up to $120,000 |
| Electronics | $50,000 max, $1,000 for screens | Fully covered |
| Collectibles (coins, stamps) | $1,000 cap, prohibited abroad | Specialist cover |
| Used and second-hand goods | Depreciated value only | Full agreed value |
| Claim speed | Often slow and disputed | About 3 days |
Why choose Secursus for your FedEx insurance?
We cover the items that FedEx 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 FedEx
- Receive compensation within 30 days of confirmation of the loss or damage by FedEx
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
FedEx insurance: your questions answered
The declared value questions shippers ask us most.
Does FedEx insurance really exist, or is it just declared value?
FedEx states in its own terms that it provides no insurance of any kind. Declared value only sets the maximum FedEx will pay, and only if you file a claim, prove the value, and prove FedEx was at fault.
How much does FedEx charge to insure a $1,000 package?
About $16.50. FedEx includes $100 of liability free, then charges $4.95 up to $300 and $1.65 for each additional $100. Secursus covers the same parcel from around $10, at full value.
Why is FedEx coverage capped at $1,000 for my watch?
FedEx treats jewelry, watches, precious metals, art and collectibles as items of extraordinary value and limits liability to $1,000, whatever you declare. Secursus insures watches up to $120,000.
How long do I have to file a FedEx claim?
For damage or missing contents you have 60 days from the ship date; for a lost parcel you have 9 months. International claims must be filed within just 21 days.
Will FedEx pay the full value of my item?
Not necessarily. FedEx pays the lowest of the repair cost, the depreciated value, or the replacement cost, and only after you prove it was at fault. Secursus pays the full agreed value with no depreciation.
Does FedEx cover a package stolen after delivery?
In practice, no. Once tracking shows delivered, FedEx treats the parcel as delivered and such claims are routinely denied. Secursus covers theft after delivery when a signature was requested.
Want to use the Secursus service ? Insure a package
Language selection:
This website uses cookies to track statistics. You can disable the use of cookies by clicking here.
OK I accept