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How to add Sendcloud Shipment Protection (XCover)

Marina
  • Updated

Purpose: to explain how to add insurance for your parcels in Sendcloud. There are multiple ways to do so, and this article will help you choose the option that fits you best.

Related articles

→ Insurance: Sendcloud Shipment Protection (XCover)

→ How to file a claim at XCover (Sendcloud Shipment Protection)

How do I set up my XCover account?

Note: your Sendcloud sender email address will be used for the activation link and all other XCover communication.

An XCover Account is automatically created for you when you purchase XCover Protection via Sendcloud. When you first visit the XCover portal, you will need to activate your account. Simply find the XCover confirmation SMS or email in your inbox and click on the link to set up your XCover Account. Check your spam folder if you can’t find your confirmation email. The sender of the email is support@xcover.com.

Depending on how you purchased protection and what information was shared with XCover, you may be asked to choose an email address to associate with your XCover Account, which you can then use to log in.

If you have any issues, you can also check the instructions within the confirmation message from XCover that was sent when you purchased your XCover Protection.

Within your XCover Account, you will see your policies. At any time you can:

  • View your policy wording: this is also available when you request a quote via Sendcloud or directly on XCover
  • Download your certificate and invoice

Adding insurance

Add insurance manually

Important: Your first name and your last name are mandatory when creating a label for an insured parcel. For an outgoing shipment, make sure that both your first and last name are included in the sender address. For a return, make sure that your first and last names are filled out in the return address. If any of these are missing, the panel will return an error and won't let you create the label.

To insure your packages against loss or damage, edit an order in your Incoming order overview. Enter the total shipment value of your parcel. If basic carrier insurance does not cover the full amount, we’ll subtract the carrier insurance and cover the rest with Sendcloud Shipment Protection. The insurance price is calculated in the following way:

  • Domestic parcels: Insured value x 0.6%
  • International parcels: Insured value x 1.5%

The insurance price will be reflected in the label cost. Press Save when you are done editing the order.

Add insurance through default shipping settings

You can choose to automatically insure all of your packages by default. To enable this, simply go to Shipping > Shipment Protection in your Sendcloud panel. For more information on setting up default shipping options, go to How to set up your default shipping settings.

Add insurance through shipping rules

You can use shipping rules to insure your shipments for a certain percentage or amount. You can set up these rules by going to Shipping > Shipment Protection or Shipping > Shipping Rules.

Shipping rules that are only focused on Shipment Protection are available for every plan and can be created unlimitedly. This means you can always create as many Shipment Protection rules as you want, but only if those rules specifically relate to Shipment Protection.

Note: In rare cases when both the Total Shipping Value and Total Item Value are not imported by your integration, you can apply a combination of shipping rules "by a percentage" and "by a set amount". In any other case, we strongly recommend insuring your parcels by a percentage to avoid overpaying for your insurance.
Insure your order by a percentage
  • The calculation process involves checking 'Total Item Value' first, then 'Total Shipping Value' (item value and shipping cost) if the former is empty. If both fields are empty, a percentage rule cannot be applied, as dividing by 0 always results in 0.
  • If the carrier chosen for this shipment provides basic insurance, our system integrates this default insurance coverage. The field for default insurance is consistently taken into consideration in the total insurance calculation.
  • If you receive 0 insurance with 'Total Shipping Value' or 'Total Item Value', it's probably due to the 'Unstamped Letter' shipping method not applying this rule.
Note: The insurance cannot be enabled for the following shipping methods: GLS EuroBusinessSmallParcel, DHL Retoure Online, Bring Business Parcel Bulk, Bring Home Delivery Parcel, DPD Relais Return, Bring Pickup Parcel Bulk, Deutsche Post International Packet Plus, DPD Local Return, DPD Local Air Classic, GLS National Express Return, Storeshippers Next Day Delivery, Storeshippers Same Day Delivery, GLS National Express - ExchangeService, InPost Punto Pack International - Retorno and InPost Punto Pack I Locker - Retorno.

If the issue persists for other methods, contact us: How to get support from Sendcloud.

Insure your order by a set amount

You can use shipping rules to create a rule in which all parcels above a certain value, containing particular products or to be shipped with a specific carrier will be insured by default by a set amount.

Example: You set up a shipping rule to insure shipments by €85. 

Then the value of €85 will be automatically applied on the shipment level:

Please read our How to create shipping rules article for more information on Shipping rules.

You can download this CSV template and upload it to your Sendcloud account following this article. This will create the necessary shipping rules to set the insurance based on the value of the order.

*Coverage limits and sub-limits:

  • The maximum shipment value is EUR/GBP 5.000.
    Note: In case of multi-collo shipments, the maximum shipment value remains EUR/GBP 5000 regardless of the number of parcels. For example, if you wish to insure a multi-collo shipment for EUR/GBP 5000 euros and the shipment consists of 2 parcels, each parcel can only be insured up to EUR/GBP 2500 euros. It is not possible to insure both parcels for EUR/GBP 4000 each, for instance.

  • The minimum shipment value is EUR/GBP 2. Shipments insured by more than EUR/GBP 0 and less than EUR/GBP 2 will be automatically insured by EUR/GBP 2

  • Theft of parcel after documented delivery to the delivery address - EUR/GBP 1.000 per shipment

  • Glassware and ceramics - EUR/GBP 1.000 per shipment

  • LCDs, TVs, and laptops - EUR/GBP 5.000 per shipment

    • LCDs, TVs, and laptops are not covered for damage.

    • LCDs, TVs, and laptops must be sent through a delivery service that requires a signature.

  • Jewelry - EUR/GBP 5.000 per parcel.

    • Jewelry must be sent through a delivery service that requires a signature and includes shipment tracking.

    • Jewelry must not have seller advertising on the packaging.

Click on Shipment Protection for more details, including pricing.

Important notes about currency conversion

Sendcloud does not support currency conversion: you can only insure your parcels in either euros (EUR) or pounds (GBP). This depends on the currency used in your invoice country, which is also the default currency of your Sendcloud account.

However, as item values and total order values may be in any currency, this can cause confusion. To avoid it, make sure you make the conversion and manually add the insurance amount in euro or pound before creating the label.

Click here to see the two possible scenarios:
  • You manually convert the currency of the total order value to euros: A parcel contains items valued in 200 Polish zlotys (the equivalent of 45 euros). You want to insure the total order value. In this scenario, you manually convert the 200 zlotys to euros and enter "45" as the shipment value to insure. The insurance premium to pay will be calculated based on 45 euros.
  • You do not convert the currency of the total order value to euros: A parcel contains items valued in 200 Polish zlotys (the equivalent of 45 euros). You want to insure the total order value. In this scenario, you enter "200" as the shipment value to insure. The insurance premium to pay will be calculated based on 200 euros instead of 45 euros.