Shipping Insurance & Lost Package Guides

Carriers cover less than most people realize, and claim deadlines are short. These guides cover what USPS, UPS, and FedEx actually pay out, how to file claims correctly, and what to do when a package disappears.

15 in-depth guides
Updated March 2026

Four Things Worth Knowing Before a Package Goes Missing

Carriers Cover Less Than You Think

USPS First Class International: $0. FedEx and UPS basic coverage: $100. For anything more valuable, you need to know what you actually have.

Deadlines Are Real

FedEx damage claims close in 21 days. Miss it and the claim is gone — regardless of how clearly they broke your package.

Documentation Wins Claims

Carriers deny claims on "insufficient packaging" grounds constantly. Photos taken before you seal the box are your defense.

Most Problems Are Fixable

Lost package, customs hold, returned to sender — each has a clear resolution path. The guides here walk through all of them.

Start Here

The three guides people reach for first when something goes wrong

All Guides

How to File a Lost Package Claim (Step-by-Step Guide)

Exact steps to file a lost package claim with USPS, UPS, FedEx, or a third-party insurer. What documents you need, claim deadlines, and why claims get denied.

Shipsurance vs Route vs UPS Capital: Which Shipping Insurance Is Best?

Shipsurance, Route, and UPS Capital compared on cost, coverage, claim speed, and international support. Which one actually makes sense for your situation.

Does AliExpress Buyer Protection Cover Lost Packages?

Exactly what AliExpress Buyer Protection covers for lost and undelivered packages, how the dispute process works, and what to do if it doesn't go your way.

How Long Until a Package Is Officially Considered Lost?

Exact waiting periods for USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL before a package is declared lost — and what to do while the clock runs.

What Happens to Packages Lost in Customs?

Package stuck or lost in customs? Why packages get held, how long they can stay there, and exactly how to get your shipment released or your money back.

How to Pack Items to Avoid Damage During Shipping

Pack correctly and carriers can't deny your insurance claim on packaging grounds. Exact standards for electronics, glassware, valuables, and international shipments.

Is Shipping Insurance Worth It for eBay Sellers?

Should eBay sellers buy shipping insurance? The math, eBay's actual seller protections, and when insurance pays for itself — and when it doesn't.

How to File an eBay Claim as a Buyer: Money Back Guarantee Guide

Step-by-step guide to filing an eBay Money Back Guarantee claim as a buyer. What's covered, how to open a case, and what to do if eBay rules against you.

Lost or Delayed Package in Brazil: What to Do (Complete Guide)

International packages to Brazil have unusually high delay and loss rates. Here's how the customs process works, what to do when a package disappears, and your actual options for a refund.

Package Arrived Damaged: What to Do and How to File a Claim

Received a damaged package? The steps to take immediately, how to document damage correctly, and how to get a refund or replacement from the seller or carrier.

Package Returned to Sender: What Happens Next and How to Get Your Money Back

Your package was returned to sender. Here's why it happens, what the carrier and seller are supposed to do next, and how to get refunded or reshipped.

Tracking Says Delivered But Package Not Received — What to Do

Carrier marked your package delivered but it's nowhere to be found. Step-by-step guide to finding it, reporting it, and getting your money back.

Check Tracking Before You File Anything

A lot of "lost" packages are still moving — stuck in customs, delayed at a facility, or mis-scanned. Parcel Detect shows you the real status across 500+ carriers before you spend time on a claim.

Track Your Package