Sending low volume, high value parcels competitively with

[227bhp]

.....Insurance.
I don't think there is a solution to this, but here we go:

This part of my business is only small, I only send around 15 parcels globally per month, most of which are quite high value and I've always struggled to send them for a competitive rate.

I've tried opening an account with a parcel company, but the rates were so high due to my low volume that a broker (Interparcel, P2G etc) offered much better prices with the same company then turning up. The problem is they only go for so long before losing a parcel, if you use their insurance (which is a rip off) it brings the price back up to using the parcel company directly.
The other issue with their insurance is you don't know how much it is until you've started to book the parcel so you can't give the customer the option without it going into a lengthy dialogue, i'd be spending half an hour on discussion whilst trying to sell something.

What would be good is if an insurance company would offer a policy which just covered lost parcels, but I don't think that exists.

I can only think the way forward is to try and broker a better deal with a parcel company, but I have no leverage really.
Any good ideas gratefully received.

[951TSE]

Well a quick scan of the internet produces this company:

https://www.goods-in-transit-insurance.com/2014/11...

Who talk about their specialist Goods in Transit insurance being suitable for importers, exporters, manufacturers and wholesalers. I assume you fit in one of these categories? Might be worth a call to see if they can help you.

Or PH'er insurance_jon might be able to point you in the right direction.

[227bhp]

951TSE said:

Well a quick scan of the internet produces this company:

https://www.goods-in-transit-insurance.com/2014/11...

Who talk about their specialist Goods in Transit insurance being suitable for importers, exporters, manufacturers and wholesalers. I assume you fit in one of these categories? Might be worth a call to see if they can help you.

Or PH'er insurance_jon might be able to point you in the right direction.

Thanks for looking, but that insurance is for the couriers themselves. Do you know where IJ can be found? Sorry, but the search facility isn't working for me at the moment.

[951TSE]

227bhp said:

951TSE said:

Well a quick scan of the internet produces this company:

https://www.goods-in-transit-insurance.com/2014/11...

Who talk about their specialist Goods in Transit insurance being suitable for importers, exporters, manufacturers and wholesalers. I assume you fit in one of these categories? Might be worth a call to see if they can help you.

Or PH'er insurance_jon might be able to point you in the right direction.

Thanks for looking, but that insurance is for the couriers themselves. Do you know where IJ can be found? Sorry, but the search facility isn't working for me at the moment.

Jons profile is here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?mem...

I dable in the antiques world. Perhaps one of their specialist brokers can help you?

http://www.rtinsurance.co.uk/art-and-antiques/

[Mr Noble]

Have you looked at Parcel Pro? I send high value watches a few times a year. PPro do the insurance and Royal Mail or fed ex do the delivery. You send the item with no insurance at all, which makes it chap, and then add the insurance using the tracking number. Never had a claim, but I hear they're very good in those circumstances.

[northwest monkey]

Why would you give the customer the option of buying insurance?

Surely the risk of the parcel being lost is yours?

[Ean218]

As long as they are high value then you need to talk to a proper insurance broker about quaintly named marine cargo insurance.

This can cover you for all your sendings by air, sea and land. It is normally fairly cheap, unless you are sending somewhere dodgy.

[MrSparks]

I've just opened an account with Interlink Express....

We use them via my fulfilment house and I've barely ever had a problem, I always thought that my "send from office" amount would be far too low for a courier so I've been using Royal Mail etc.

However they opened the account and were absolutely happy with low volume as long as I use it a few times a month they are happy. Prices are pretty cheap too (about £6.20 for next day expresspak1)