How do I judge a courier company’s insurance claim history for lost parcels?

Claims history shows how well the company protects what it carries. Start by asking the seller for the insurer’s loss report, which lists claims over time, along with the company’s internal records. The two should roughly agree. If the shop paid small losses out of pocket and never filed them, the insurer’s report will look cleaner than reality.

Sort the claims by cause. Are losses clustered around particular routes, handoffs, drivers or customers? A pattern points to something fixable, or to a problem a buyer will inherit. Ask what changes the seller made afterward and whether the problem stopped.

Look at how claims were handled. Were customers paid fairly and promptly, or did disputes drag on? Ask about any open claims or complaints, and whether any large customer has threatened to leave over a loss. Then check the policy itself. Ask what it covers, how much of each claim the company pays itself, and whether the insurer would renew the policy for a new owner on the same terms. A broker or insurer can tell you how past claims affect future cost. Ask too how fast claims were paid.

Key takeaways

• Request the insurer’s loss report and compare it with the company’s own log.
• Look for repeating causes rather than counting single incidents.
• Ask about open claims and customers who complained.
• Confirm whether the policy renews for a new owner on similar terms.