PayHelm

Insurance Terms

Please review the complete PayHelm insurance coverage terms listed below.

Please pay special attention to the following coverage exclusions and conditions:

  • Only packages with valid tracking numbers are eligible for insurance.
  • Not all commodities and destinations are covered. Make sure the item(s) that you are shipping (Exclusion 1) and the destination (Exclusion 2) are not excluded from coverage.
  • Items must not be shipped in the original manufacturers packaging or any packaging that alludes to the contents. (Exclusion 5)
  • Jewelry (includes necklaces, earrings, watches, rings, bracelets, brooches, etc.), with a value of $500.00 or more must be sent with the direct or adult Signature Confirmation service provided by the shipping carriers. (Conditions 4 – Signature Confirmation Service)
  • Laptop computers (including tablets, iPads, and similar) and mobile phones (cell phones, smart phones, etc) must be sent with a carrier provided signature required confirmation service. If a signature confirmation service is not available from the carrier, these items cannot be covered. This is required for Domestic and International shipments. (Conditions 4 – Signature Confirmation Service)
  • Guns and Firearms of any kind are not insurable.
  • Rocks (including geodes, crystals, amethyst, clusters, minerals, fossils, or anything like these) are not insurable.
  • Cannabidiol (CBD) of any kind is not insurable.
  • Collectible merchandise, collectible coins, comic books, sports cards, and similar that are being shipped to be graded and have their value established are excluded. These items are not excluded if they have already been graded and have their value established or if they were sold under a paid, commercial invoice in the past seven days (before shipping) or have a Recent Appraisal.
  • All packaging material and damaged goods must be kept in the original form as received. Packaging and damaged goods should not be disposed of, released to the shipping carrier, or returned to the seller before a claim is completed. Failure to comply can result in the denial of the claim. (Conditions 3 – Claim Requirements)
  • During the claims process, a claim statement/affidavit signed by the recipient (or intended recipient) will be required. This is a form document provided by Shipsurance that allows the recipient (or intended recipient) to indicate loss or damage. (Conditions 3 – Claim Requirements)

Complete Coverage Terms and Conditions

Coverage

Coverage provided by this program covers the parcel or freight and its contents from all risks of physical loss or damage from an external cause (subject to the exclusions listed below) while in transit. All parcel or freight that are covered by this program will be shipped in strict accordance with all regulations of the Carrier. Shipments must originate from the United States of America and/or Canada. Outbound shipments must be sent from the address of the Insured. Coverage is only provided for shipments through commercial parcel or freight companies. Packages must include valid tracking numbers. Services without tracking, such as USPS First Class Letter, are not eligible for insurance. Inbound and return shipments are not covered by this program.

Coverage is on a package-by-package basis.

If you reside in the state of California, you acknowledge that the insurance coverage is provided by Voyager Indemnity Insurance Company. Voyager is a non-admitted insurer.

If you are shipping using the United States Postal Service, make sure to follow the USPS International Mail Manual rules located here: http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/welcome.htm. If you ship a prohibited item, there is NO COVERAGE.

All provided information regarding shipments that require coverage must be correct and complete. If incorrect details are provided when insuring a package there will be no coverage. For example: If a package is submitted for insurance and declared as a USPS First Class mail shipment but actually sent via the USPS Priority Mail service, or any other service or carrier, there is no coverage.

In order for a package to be covered, the shipping carrier must have verified acceptance of your package for mailing. This is found on the
respective tracking websites of the shipping carriers. If a shipping label is printed but not scanned by the carrier as accepted it is deemed as never been mailed and there is no coverage.

Coverage Limits

This insurance covers up to $999.99 for USPS First Class Mail shipments, $1,000.00 for DHL Global Mail (eCommerce), FedEx SmartPost, and UPS Mail Innovations shipments, and $2,500.00 per package for other USPS, FedEx, and UPS, shipments. Maximum coverage per conveyance is $100,000.00.

Definitions

  1. Recent Appraisal is a recent valuation of the contents of a parcel or freight that has been provided by a certified Appraiser. Appraisals must be dated within 60 days prior to shipment.
  2. Carrier means the company that is transporting the parcel or freight covered by this program.
  3. Recent Invoice is the purchase order(s) or receipt(s) specific to the claimed parcel or freight contents. Invoice must be dated within 60 days prior to shipment.
  4. Freight means packages or shipments transported through commercial freight Carriers.
  5. Insured means the Shipper(s), individual(s) or companies who have elected to purchase insurance through this program.
  6. Parcel means packages or shipments transported through parcel carriers.
  7. SHIPSURANCE means the agent, Shipsurance Insurance Services.
  8. Total Insured Value means the total value of the item(s) declared for insurance coverage. Includes the Carrier provided coverage, if any.
  9. We, us and our means Voyager Indemnity Insurance Company.

Exclusions

This program does not provide coverage for the following:

  1. Excluded Items: Accounts, bills, currency, cash in transit, evidence of debt, checks, money orders, cash on delivery (COD) payments, coins (*collectible coins are not excluded), securities and other negotiable papers, tickets, deeds, notes, gift cards, manuscripts, documents, neon items, hazardous material (per UPS Hazardous Materials List), televisions, monitors, screens, perishable cargo or similar property, eggs, any stone or ceramic slabs, automobiles, motorcycles, live animals, flowers, plants, seeds, cigarettes/cigars, cotton, tobacco, windows, plate glass, stained glass, float glass, guns and firearms (including kit for any gun or firearm), rocks (including geodes, crystals, amethyst, clusters, minerals, fossils, and similar), products that contain cannabidiol (CBD).

    Additionally, collectible merchandise, *collectible coins, comic books, sports cards and similar that are being shipped to be graded and have their value established are excluded. These items are not excluded if they have already been graded and have their value established or if they were sold under a paid, commercial invoice in the past seven days (before shipping) or have a Recent Appraisal.
  2. Excluded Countries: The following countries are NOT covered by this insurance! B. Shipments sent to Afghanistan, Angola, Bolivia, Burma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire), Liberia, Nigeria, North Korea, Paraguay, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela. Any location that would be in violation of any U.S. economic or trade sanctions including OFAC Restricted Countries. For shipments to Russian and other Commonwealth of Independent States countries (includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan) coverage ceases upon touchdown of the aircraft at the airport of destination or upon discharge from the overseas vessel at the destination discharge port. (This list is subject to change.)
  3. Parcel(s) or freight that require a signature confirmation or signature required service that are not sent using the required signature service are excluded from coverage.
  4. Loss, damage, shortage, or non-arrival of any parcel or freight and its contents which is addressed incorrectly or packed insufficiently to withstand the normal rigors of transit.
  5. Loss, damage, shortage, or non-arrival of any parcel or freight and its contents when it bears a descriptive label or packaging which describes, or alludes to, the nature of the contents. This includes the manufacturer packaging. International shipments that contain customs declarations are NOT excluded from coverage.
  6. Loss, damage, shortage, or non-arrival of any parcel or freight and the contents when it is obtained by trick, false pretense, or other fraudulent schemes. This includes but is not limited to any intentional dishonest, fraudulent, or criminal act by you, your representative, anyone that you entrust with the package, or anyone with an insurable interested in the package for any purpose, whether acting alone or in collusion with others. This also includes packages that are shipped as a result of fraud or those that are re-routed, intercepted enroute, or retrieved at a point other than the original delivery address due to dishonest fraudulent instruction or misrepresentation to the carrier.
  7. Loss, damage, shortage arising out of loss of market, delay, loss of use, clean-up costs, decay, inherent vice, or other deterioration, any remote or consequential loss, whether or not arising out of a peril insured against or changes in temperature or humidity.
  8. Any intentional dishonest, fraudulent or criminal act by you, your representative, anyone that you entrust with the package, or anyone with an insurable interest in the parcel or freight for any purpose, whether acting alone or in collusion with others.
  9. Parcels or freight that are shipped as a result of fraud or those that are re-routed, intercepted enroute, or retrieved at a point other than the original delivery address due to dishonest, fraudulent instruction or misrepresentation to the carrier.
  10. War Exclusion, Atomic and Nuclear Exclusion: In no case shall this program cover loss damage or expense caused by:
    1. War, civil war, revolution, rebellion, insurrection, or civil strife arising from, or any hostile act by or against a belligerent power;
    2. Capture, seizure, arrest, restraint or detainment (piracy excepted), and the consequences of or any attempt of;
    3. Derelict mines, torpedoes, bombs, or other derelict weapons of war. In no case shall this program cover loss damage or expense arising from the use of any weapon of war employing atomic or nuclear fission, fusion or other like reaction or radioactive force or matter.
  11. Mechanical and Electrical Derangement or Mechanical Breakdown – Loss of or damage due to mechanical, electrical, electronic derangement or refrigerated breakdown unless there is evidence of external damage to the parcel or its packaging. Data files and installed computer programs are not covered for erasure, corruption, or loss.
  12. American Institute of Marine Underwriters Extended Radioactive Contamination Exclusion clause.
  13. American Institute of Marine Underwriters Chemical, Biological, Bio-Chemical, Electromagnetic, and Cyber Weapons Exclusion clause.
  14. Shipments involving illegal or controlled substances are excluded from coverage.
  15. Pollution – This program does not apply to any damage, expense, cost, loss, liability or legal obligation arising out of or in any way related to pollution, however caused. Pollution includes the actual, alleged or potential presence in or introduction into the environment of any substance if such substance has or is alleged to have, the effect of making the environment impure, harmful, or dangerous. Environment includes any air, land, structure or the air therein, watercourse or water, including underground water. We will have no duty to defend any suit arising out of or in any way related to pollution.
  16. Shipments sent through owned, leased or rented vehicles that are not commercial parcel or freight businesses.
  17. Commodity Specific Exclusions
    1. Coverage for laptop computers (including tablets computers, ipads, and similar electronics) when shipped International via the USPS can be covered only if sent via USPS Priority Mail Express International service. International shipments sent via the USPS or consolidator (FedEx SmartPost, UPS Mail Innovations, or similar), without this service are excluded from coverage in their entirety.
    2. Coverage for mobile telephones (including cell phones, smart phones, messaging phones, android phones, iPhones, blackberry phones, and similar) when shipped International via the USPS can be covered only if sent via USPS Priority Mail Express International service. International shipments sent via the USPS or consolidator (FedEx SmartPost, UPS Mail Innovations, or similar), without this service are excluded from coverage in their entirety.

Conditions

  1. CLAIM DISPUTES This program shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
  2. The parties agree that any and all claims or disputes arising out of the program or the performance of the program shall be brought in Los Angeles County, California.
    The Insured agrees to INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS SHIPSURANCE and us from any loss, liability, damage or costs, including court costs and attorney fees that they may incur due to misreading, misunderstanding, and not following the coverage requirements provided by this program and any applicable endorsements.
  3. CLAIM REQUIREMENTS
    1. All packaging material and damaged goods must be kept in the original form as received. Packaging and damaged goods should not be disposed of or released to the carrier before a claim is completed as photographs will be required. Failure to comply will result in the denial of the claim due to insufficient packing.
    2. Concealed damage allows for the discovery of loss or damage up to 15 days after final delivery. The loss is deemed to have possibly occurred during the insured transit. Discovery of loss or damage occurring 16 days or later after final delivery is deemed to have occurred while the shipment was NOT in transit, and therefore, is not covered.
    3. In case of loss or damage to the covered parcel or freight the following must be completed:
      1. The Insured will file immediate notice of non-delivery, damage, or shortage with the Carrier and with SHIPSURANCE.
      2. The recipient will take proper exceptions on the delivery receipt when any loss or damage is apparent at the time of delivery;
      3. The Insured will complete a SHIPSURANCE claim form and provide all required documents to SHIPSURANCE within one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days from the date of shipment. If the Carrier has liability and their remittance (Carrier’s claim check and stub) or response has not been received by the Insured within the 120 day timeframe, all other claim paperwork must be received by SHIPSURANCE within one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days from the date of shipment.
      4. A complete claim submission must include a SHIPSURANCE claim form, a copy of the carrier’s tracer form, a copy of the invoice or recent appraisal, photos of damaged goods and packaging, a repair estimate, a claim statement signed by the recipient (or intended recipient), and any other documentation requested by SHIPSURANCE. Failure to complete the claim form and follow all claim instructions could lead to non-settlement of claim.
      5. If the shipment is sent by the United States Postal Service (USPS) or consolidators, complete claims must be submitted and received by SHIPSURANCE within one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days of the shipment date. If the claim is for loss the Insured must wait twenty (20) calendar days (Domestic shipments) or 40 calendar days (International shipments) before filing claim with SHIPSURANCE.
    4. Any damage to parcel or freight that was not repaired must be made available to us or SHIPSURANCE, if requested.
    5. Once a claim has been accepted and approved by us, prompt payment will be made to the Insured.
    6. We and SHIPSURANCE will rely on the determination of responsibility made by the original Carrier to assist in substantiating the loss.

CONFORMITY TO STATUTE – Any provision of this program that is not in conformity with the laws of the state in which this program is issued, is amended to comply with the minimum requirements of such law.

OTHER INSURANCE – This program is excess coverage if there is other insurance coverage. After the other insurance has paid up to its limit, our program will provide coverage up to its limit, but not exceeding the remainder of the loss.

SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION SERVICE

  • Jewelry (includes necklaces, earrings, watches, rings, bracelets, broaches, etc.) with a value of $500.00 or more must be sent with the direct or adult Signature Confirmation Service provided by the Carrier (must be signed for at delivery). This service is available by most Carriers often at an additional expense to their core shipping service. If a signature confirmation service is not available from the carrier, these items cannot be covered. Shipments sent without a carrier provided signature confirmation service are excluded from coverage in their entirety.
  • Laptop computers (including tablets computers, ipads, and similar electronics) must be sent with the direct or adult Signature Confirmation Service provided by the Carrier (must be signed for at delivery). This service is available by most Carriers often at an additional expense to their core shipping service. If a signature confirmation service is not available from the carrier, these items cannot be covered. Shipments sent without a carrier provided signature confirmation service are excluded from coverage in their entirety.
  • Mobile telephones (including cell phones, smart phones, messaging phones, android phones, iPhones, blackberry phones, and similar) must be sent with the direct or adult Signature Confirmation Service provided by the Carrier (must be signed for at delivery). This service is available by most Carriers often at an additional expense to their core shipping service. If a signature confirmation service is not available from the carrier, these items cannot be covered. Shipments sent without a carrier provided signature confirmation service are excluded from coverage in their entirety.

Valuation – This Certificate covers the value listed on a recent invoice of the parcel or freight; however, in the event there is no recent invoice, this Certificate covers the parcel or freights actual cash value. Claims for repairs shall be payable for the fair market costs of such repairs. In no event shall claims exceed the Total Insured Value declared prior to shipment and declared for premium purposes.

In the event a claim payment is made to an Insured and SHIPSURANCE subsequently determines that the insured package was delivered thereby resulting in no loss to the Insured, then the Insured agrees to promptly reimburse SHIPSURANCE for the amount of the claim payment upon demand by SHIPSURANCE.

Special PayHelm Terms:

PayHelm is providing this insurance through a third party company. You agree to in no way hold PayHelm or it’s entities accountable for any issues or claims that arise from purchasing or using Shipsurance. All claims will be filed through Shipsurance and will be enforced by the above coverage, terms, conditions and exclusions which are subject to change. You agree that PayHelm is in no way responsible for any loss, liability, claim, or demand that relates to insurance. Any issues must go through Shipsurance
directly.

You are solely responsible for ensuring that listings you add insurance to are covered under the above terms.

Your Insurable Address

Each item that you insure through PayHelm’s software must transfer specific data to our third party insurer Shipsurance. This data includes but is not limited to; your name, your address, and the eBay item number being insured.
This data is gathered from eBay directly through the API. By default, the address PayHelm uses as your ‘insured address’ is your default address on file with eBay. If this is an issue, you can choose not to use our insurance.

By purchasing shipping insurance online, you certify that all information provided is accurate and truthful. The submission of a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement may result in imprisonment of up to 5 years and a fine of up to $10,000 (18 USC 1001). In addition, a civil penalty of up to $5,000 and an assessment of twice the amount falsely claimed may be imposed (31 USC 3802). Warning: any fraudulent claims will make the shipper and/or consignee liable for any prosecution for mail fraud under federal crime code.

Please Note: Placing a postage stamp on your package and dropping it in the mail flow DOES NOT provide proof of mailing. Please use an online label printing service or take your package to the post office to pay for postage and generate a label.

Last Updated: May 1, 2024 – Added definitions for Recent Appraisal and Recent Invoice. Added additional excluded items (guns and firearms (including kit for any gun or firearm), rocks (including geodes, crystals, amethyst, clusters, minerals, fossils, and similar), and products that contain cannabidiol (CBD)) and defined collectibles exclusion. Added Exclusions 8 & 9. Updated Valuation clause.

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