What Is FedEx Certificate of Insurance Coverage?
FedEx provides declared value coverage, not full shipping insurance, as part of its service offerings. This coverage includes protection up to the published limit at no additional charge, built into your shipping rate as standard liability protection for all packages.
For shipments valued above current pricing, FedEx charges a minimum fee of current pricing for coverage up to the published limit. Beyond current pricing the cost increases by $1.50 for every additional current pricing of declared value, effective January 2026.
The distinction is critical: FedEx does not provide insurance coverage of any kind, according to their official service guide. Declared value is limited liability coverage with specific exclusions and claim requirements that differ significantly from comprehensive shipping insurance.
How Much Does FedEx Declared Value Coverage Cost?
FedEx declared value coverage costs vary significantly based on service type and shipment value. For overnight, 2-day, and Express Saver services, the maximum declared value per shipment reaches current pricing.
FedEx Ground and Express services have different declared value limits, with Ground and SameDay services limiting coverage to current pricing per shipment, while FedEx Envelopes and Paks cap coverage at current pricing maximum.
| Package Value | 2026 Declared Value Cost | Maximum Coverage by Service |
|---|---|---|
| Up to Varies | Varies (included) | All services |
| Check current FedEx rate | Check current FedEx rate | All services |
| Over Varies | Varies per Varies | Varies by service type |
SameDay and SameDay City services offer different pricing: current pricing for shipments valued up to current pricing then current pricing for every additional current pricing of declared value.
What Coverage Limits Apply by FedEx Service Type?
Coverage limits vary dramatically across FedEx services and shipping options, creating important planning considerations for high-value shipments.
Express Services (Highest Limits): FedEx Overnight, 2Day, and Express Saver allow up to current pricing declared value per package. International Priority and Economy services follow the same current pricing maximum.
Ground Services (Moderate Limits): FedEx Ground and Ground Economy limit declared value to current pricing per package. SameDay and SameDay City share the same current pricing limit.
Document Services (Lowest Limits): FedEx Envelopes and Paks restrict declared value to current pricing maximum, regardless of actual document value.
Businesses shipping high-value items should consider third-party insurance through ParcelPath to bridge coverage gaps above FedEx’s declared value limits.
Which Items Are Excluded from FedEx Coverage?
FedEx declared value coverage excludes specific item categories and circumstances that could leave your shipment unprotected despite paying for coverage.
Prohibited High-Value Items: Cash, currency, precious metals, gems, and jewelry above current pricing value receive limited or no coverage regardless of declared value purchased.
Electronics Restrictions: Laptops, tablets, and smartphones have coverage limitations. Items without original manufacturer packaging may be excluded from claims.
Packaging-Related Exclusions: Insufficiently packaged items, fragile goods without proper cushioning, or packages that don’t meet FedEx packaging guidelines can result in denied claims.
Perishable and Time-Sensitive Items: Fresh food, live animals, and items requiring specific temperature control have limited coverage options and may be excluded based on service delays.
How Does FedEx Rate Increases Affect Insurance Costs?
FedEx’s January 2026 rate increase affects declared value costs alongside shipping rates. Ground services increased 6.60% compared to 2025, while Express and International services saw smaller increases ranging from 4.2% to 5.9%.
The declared value fee structure remains consistent, but the underlying shipping cost increase means total protection expenses rise proportionally. Businesses should recalculate shipping budgets to account for both base rate and declared value cost increases.
For more comprehensive coverage details, see our complete Fedex Insurance: Complete Guide 2026 covering everything you need to know about protecting your shipments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FedEx declared value the same as shipping insurance?
No. FedEx declared value is limited liability coverage, not comprehensive shipping insurance. It provides basic protection with specific exclusions and claim requirements that differ from third-party insurance policies.
What’s the maximum FedEx declared value for Ground shipments?
FedEx Ground and Ground Economy services limit declared value to current pricing per package. Express services allow up to current pricing declared value per shipment.
How do I file a FedEx declared value claim?
File claims within 60 days of delivery attempt through FedEx.com or by calling customer service. Provide proof of value, damage photos, and original packaging materials for review.
Does FedEx certificate of insurance cover international shipments?
Yes, but coverage varies by destination country and service type. International Priority and Economy services offer up to current pricing declared value, subject to destination country regulations.
Can I purchase additional insurance beyond FedEx declared value limits?
FedEx doesn’t offer coverage beyond declared value limits. Consider third-party shipping insurance providers for high-value items exceeding FedEx’s maximum coverage amounts.
Sources
- FedEx Service Guide – Declared Value Coverage Terms and Conditions
- FedEx 2026 Rate Guide – Declared Value Pricing Structure
- FedEx Claims Processing Guidelines – Coverage Exclusions and Requirements
- fedex frequently asked questions – Additional FedEx coverage details
Explore more in our Shipping Services and Solutions hub.
Certificate of Insurance vs. Declared Value: Not the Same Thing
Shippers routinely conflate two different documents. A FedEx declared value is the carrier’s stated liability limit on your specific shipment — the maximum FedEx will pay if it loses or damages the goods, and it is capped and subject to exclusions. A certificate of insurance is proof that a policy exists, often requested by a business partner, landlord, or vendor to confirm coverage before doing business. If a customer or platform is asking you for a “certificate of insurance,” they usually want evidence of a policy, not a per-parcel declared value. Sending the wrong one delays the transaction.
When Carrier Liability Is Not Enough Coverage
Carrier declared value is not full insurance, and its exclusions catch people off guard: certain high-value categories (jewelry, precious metals, art, collectibles) carry sharply reduced liability caps or are excluded entirely, and claims can be denied for inadequate packaging even when the carrier caused the damage. For genuinely high-value or hard-to-replace goods, third-party shipping insurance that pays full replacement value — independent of carrier fault findings — is often the better instrument. Read the excluded-items list before relying on declared value; the gap between “declared” and “actually covered” is where claims fail.
Documenting Goods So a Coverage Claim Succeeds
Whether you rely on carrier liability or a separate policy, claims turn on documentation you create before shipping, not after damage. Keep the purchase invoice or a dated proof of value, photograph the item and the packed box, and retain the packaging after damage — carriers frequently inspect it and deny claims where cushioning was inadequate. File within the carrier’s claim window, which is shorter than most shippers expect, and match the declared value to the documented value so you are neither underinsured nor paying for coverage a claim will not honor.
Who Requests a Certificate of Insurance and Why
A certificate of insurance is usually demanded by a third party protecting itself, and knowing who is asking tells you what they actually need. A commercial landlord, a venue, a client’s procurement department, or a marketplace may require proof that you carry liability or cargo coverage before they let you operate or ship on their behalf. What they want is evidence that a policy exists and names the right coverage limits — not a per-shipment declared value on a single box. If a partner requests a “COI,” clarify the coverage type and limits they require, because a shipping-specific declared value will not satisfy a general-liability request and vice versa.
Third-Party Shipping Insurance vs. Carrier Coverage
For shippers who move high-value goods regularly, standalone third-party shipping insurance often beats leaning on carrier declared value, and understanding the difference prevents costly gaps. Carrier coverage caps liability by service and excludes whole categories, and pays only when the carrier is found at fault. A dedicated shipping-insurance policy can cover full replacement value, span multiple carriers under one policy, and pay on loss or damage with a simpler fault standard. If a single lost parcel would be a serious financial hit, price a third-party policy against the carrier’s declared-value charge — the independent policy frequently offers broader protection for comparable cost.
Part of our FedEx Insurance guide. Related: FedEx Shipping Delays, Why Is FedEx So Slow, FedEx Delivered to Wrong Address.
