Insurance Guide

This guide will teach you how to insure your EasyPost packages. In this example, we will be insuring an item worth $249.99.

When insuring a shipment, you go through the same steps as shipping a package that is not insured, except that you need to add insurance to your shipment. If you don't know how to create a shipment, we recommend completing our Getting Started Guide before starting our Shipping Insurance Guide.

Before You Start

  1. Sign up for an EasyPost account.
  2. Grab one of our official client libraries.

If you haven't run through our Getting Started Guide, definitely do that before moving on to this one.

Related Link
Getting Started Guide
https://www.easypost.com/getting-started/curl
link

Step 1: Adding Insurance to a Shipment

It's really simple. After you have created a shipment and purchased your postage, you just have to use our "insure" method to purchase insurance. Pass through the dollar value of the contents of the package using the amount parameter of the insure method.

To start a claim, simply email us a completed claims form along with a handful of key documents that are listed on the form. You'll receive reimbursement within 10 days. No more waiting periods, hassle or extensive forms.

For insurance related inquiries, email us at insurance@easypost.com.

We process claims within 48 hours of receiving all relevant documentation and payments are made within 10 business days. And unlike most insurance plans, we offer international coverage to virtually every country in the world.

Adding Insurance to a Shipment
curl -X GET https://api.easypost.com/v2/shipments/shp_.../insure \
  -u "$EASYPOST_API_KEY": \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
    "amount": "200"
  }'
Response to Adding Insurance
{
  "created_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:51Z",
  "is_return": false,
  "messages": [],
  "mode": "test",
  "options": {
    "currency": "USD",
    "payment": {
      "type": "SENDER"
    },
    "date_advance": 0
  },
  "reference": null,
  "status": "unknown",
  "tracking_code": "9405500106068143633037",
  "updated_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:52Z",
  "batch_id": null,
  "batch_status": null,
  "batch_message": null,
  "customs_info": {
    "id": "cstinfo_0f04d9d807d947469963c7736f83d20c",
    "object": "CustomsInfo",
    "created_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:51Z",
    "updated_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:51Z",
    "contents_explanation": "",
    "contents_type": "merchandise",
    "customs_certify": true,
    "customs_signer": "Steve Brule",
    "eel_pfc": "NOEEI 30.37(a)",
    "non_delivery_option": "return",
    "restriction_comments": null,
    "restriction_type": "none",
    "mode": "test",
    "declaration": null,
    "customs_items": [
      {
        "id": "cstitem_0b24c580be42449eae7d829bc97f1595",
        "object": "CustomsItem",
        "created_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:51Z",
        "updated_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:51Z",
        "description": "T-shirt",
        "hs_tariff_number": "123456",
        "origin_country": "US",
        "quantity": 1,
        "value": "10.0",
        "weight": 5.0,
        "code": "123",
        "mode": "test",
        "manufacturer": null,
        "currency": null,
        "eccn": null,
        "printed_commodity_identifier": null
      }
    ]
  },
  "from_address": {
    "id": "adr_a187bac64e3f11ed878cac1f6b0a0d1e",
    "object": "Address",
    "created_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:51+00:00",
    "updated_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:51+00:00",
    "name": "EasyPost",
    "company": null,
    "street1": "417 Montgomery Street",
    "street2": "5th Floor",
    "city": "San Francisco",
    "state": "CA",
    "zip": "94104",
    "country": "US",
    "phone": "4153334445",
    "email": "support@easypost.com",
    "mode": "test",
    "carrier_facility": null,
    "residential": null,
    "federal_tax_id": null,
    "state_tax_id": null,
    "verifications": {}
  },
  "insurance": "100.00",
  "order_id": null,
  "parcel": {
    "id": "prcl_8fddeed324d74077ac053c064a9948bc",
    "object": "Parcel",
    "created_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:51Z",
    "updated_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:51Z",
    "length": 20.2,
    "width": 10.9,
    "height": 5.0,
    "predefined_package": null,
    "weight": 65.9,
    "mode": "test"
  },
  "postage_label": {
    "object": "PostageLabel",
    "id": "pl_9eb27c6359d44c1b9231a7222128611c",
    "created_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:52Z",
    "updated_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:52Z",
    "date_advance": 0,
    "integrated_form": "none",
    "label_date": "2022-10-17T17:17:52Z",
    "label_resolution": 300,
    "label_size": "4x6",
    "label_type": "default",
    "label_file_type": "image/png",
    "label_url": "https://easypost-files.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/files/postage_label/20221017/ad88313e07e24f9381adc20863f7d658.png",
    "label_pdf_url": null,
    "label_zpl_url": null,
    "label_epl2_url": null,
    "label_file": null
  },
  "rates": [
    {
      "id": "rate_fcbd520d801d435eadba4941200e6f40",
      "object": "Rate",
      "created_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:51Z",
      "updated_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:51Z",
      "mode": "test",
      "service": "ParcelSelect",
      "carrier": "USPS",
      "rate": "9.16",
      "currency": "USD",
      "retail_rate": "9.16",
      "retail_currency": "USD",
      "list_rate": "9.16",
      "list_currency": "USD",
      "billing_type": "easypost",
      "delivery_days": 5,
      "delivery_date": null,
      "delivery_date_guaranteed": false,
      "est_delivery_days": 5,
      "shipment_id": "shp_520cd2ca0ca347bf94572e3e99ddc92e",
      "carrier_account_id": "ca_9685a1198a75477885a3cdca37559bac"
    },
    {
      "id": "rate_f41c223a424245a2904a2a9b0554f22a",
      "object": "Rate",
      "created_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:51Z",
      "updated_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:51Z",
      "mode": "test",
      "service": "Express",
      "carrier": "USPS",
      "rate": "44.55",
      "currency": "USD",
      "retail_rate": "51.30",
      "retail_currency": "USD",
      "list_rate": "44.55",
      "list_currency": "USD",
      "billing_type": "easypost",
      "delivery_days": null,
      "delivery_date": null,
      "delivery_date_guaranteed": false,
      "est_delivery_days": null,
      "shipment_id": "shp_520cd2ca0ca347bf94572e3e99ddc92e",
      "carrier_account_id": "ca_9685a1198a75477885a3cdca37559bac"
    },
    {
      "id": "rate_2c834529a62a4527b0ac63d7d10fc875",
      "object": "Rate",
      "created_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:51Z",
      "updated_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:51Z",
      "mode": "test",
      "service": "Priority",
      "carrier": "USPS",
      "rate": "10.07",
      "currency": "USD",
      "retail_rate": "13.45",
      "retail_currency": "USD",
      "list_rate": "10.07",
      "list_currency": "USD",
      "billing_type": "easypost",
      "delivery_days": 2,
      "delivery_date": null,
      "delivery_date_guaranteed": false,
      "est_delivery_days": 2,
      "shipment_id": "shp_520cd2ca0ca347bf94572e3e99ddc92e",
      "carrier_account_id": "ca_9685a1198a75477885a3cdca37559bac"
    }
  ],
  "refund_status": null,
  "scan_form": null,
  "selected_rate": {
    "id": "rate_2c834529a62a4527b0ac63d7d10fc875",
    "object": "Rate",
    "created_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:52Z",
    "updated_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:52Z",
    "mode": "test",
    "service": "Priority",
    "carrier": "USPS",
    "rate": "10.07",
    "currency": "USD",
    "retail_rate": "13.45",
    "retail_currency": "USD",
    "list_rate": "10.07",
    "list_currency": "USD",
    "billing_type": "easypost",
    "delivery_days": 2,
    "delivery_date": null,
    "delivery_date_guaranteed": false,
    "est_delivery_days": 2,
    "shipment_id": "shp_520cd2ca0ca347bf94572e3e99ddc92e",
    "carrier_account_id": "ca_9685a1198a75477885a3cdca37559bac"
  },
  "tracker": {
    "id": "trk_88f6d7f440d34317a46d67c837d172f3",
    "object": "Tracker",
    "mode": "test",
    "tracking_code": "9405500106068143633037",
    "status": "pre_transit",
    "status_detail": "status_update",
    "created_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:52Z",
    "updated_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:52Z",
    "signed_by": null,
    "weight": null,
    "est_delivery_date": "2022-10-17T17:17:52Z",
    "shipment_id": "shp_520cd2ca0ca347bf94572e3e99ddc92e",
    "carrier": "USPS",
    "tracking_details": [
      {
        "object": "TrackingDetail",
        "message": "Pre-Shipment Info Sent to USPS",
        "description": null,
        "status": "pre_transit",
        "status_detail": "status_update",
        "datetime": "2022-09-17T17:17:52Z",
        "source": "USPS",
        "carrier_code": null,
        "tracking_location": {
          "object": "TrackingLocation",
          "city": null,
          "state": null,
          "country": null,
          "zip": null
        }
      },
      {
        "object": "TrackingDetail",
        "message": "Shipping Label Created",
        "description": null,
        "status": "pre_transit",
        "status_detail": "status_update",
        "datetime": "2022-09-18T05:54:52Z",
        "source": "USPS",
        "carrier_code": null,
        "tracking_location": {
          "object": "TrackingLocation",
          "city": "HOUSTON",
          "state": "TX",
          "country": null,
          "zip": "77063"
        }
      }
    ],
    "fees": [],
    "carrier_detail": {
      "object": "CarrierDetail",
      "service": "First-Class Package Service",
      "container_type": null,
      "est_delivery_date_local": null,
      "est_delivery_time_local": null,
      "origin_location": "HOUSTON TX, 77001",
      "origin_tracking_location": {
        "object": "TrackingLocation",
        "city": "HOUSTON",
        "state": "TX",
        "country": null,
        "zip": "77063"
      },
      "destination_location": "CHARLESTON SC, 29401",
      "destination_tracking_location": null,
      "guaranteed_delivery_date": null,
      "alternate_identifier": null,
      "initial_delivery_attempt": null
    },
    "public_url": "https://track.easypost.com/djE6dHJrXzg4ZjZkN2Y0NDBkMzQzMTdhNDZkNjdjODM3ZDE3MmYz"
  },
  "to_address": {
    "id": "adr_a18503e74e3f11edab1cac1f6bc72124",
    "object": "Address",
    "created_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:51+00:00",
    "updated_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:52+00:00",
    "name": "DR. STEVE BRULE",
    "company": null,
    "street1": "179 N HARBOR DR",
    "street2": null,
    "city": "REDONDO BEACH",
    "state": "CA",
    "zip": "90277-2506",
    "country": "US",
    "phone": "8573875756",
    "email": "DR_STEVE_BRULE@GMAIL.COM",
    "mode": "test",
    "carrier_facility": null,
    "residential": false,
    "federal_tax_id": null,
    "state_tax_id": null,
    "verifications": {
      "zip4": {
        "success": true,
        "errors": [],
        "details": null
      },
      "delivery": {
        "success": true,
        "errors": [],
        "details": {
          "latitude": 33.8436,
          "longitude": -118.39177,
          "time_zone": "America/Los_Angeles"
        }
      }
    }
  },
  "usps_zone": 4,
  "return_address": {
    "id": "adr_a187bac64e3f11ed878cac1f6b0a0d1e",
    "object": "Address",
    "created_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:51+00:00",
    "updated_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:51+00:00",
    "name": "EasyPost",
    "company": null,
    "street1": "417 Montgomery Street",
    "street2": "5th Floor",
    "city": "San Francisco",
    "state": "CA",
    "zip": "94104",
    "country": "US",
    "phone": "4153334445",
    "email": "support@easypost.com",
    "mode": "test",
    "carrier_facility": null,
    "residential": null,
    "federal_tax_id": null,
    "state_tax_id": null,
    "verifications": {}
  },
  "buyer_address": {
    "id": "adr_a18503e74e3f11edab1cac1f6bc72124",
    "object": "Address",
    "created_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:51+00:00",
    "updated_at": "2022-10-17T17:17:52+00:00",
    "name": "DR. STEVE BRULE",
    "company": null,
    "street1": "179 N HARBOR DR",
    "street2": null,
    "city": "REDONDO BEACH",
    "state": "CA",
    "zip": "90277-2506",
    "country": "US",
    "phone": "8573875756",
    "email": "DR_STEVE_BRULE@GMAIL.COM",
    "mode": "test",
    "carrier_facility": null,
    "residential": false,
    "federal_tax_id": null,
    "state_tax_id": null,
    "verifications": {
      "zip4": {
        "success": true,
        "errors": [],
        "details": null
      },
      "delivery": {
        "success": true,
        "errors": [],
        "details": {
          "latitude": 33.8436,
          "longitude": -118.39177,
          "time_zone": "America/Los_Angeles"
        }
      }
    }
  },
  "forms": [],
  "fees": [
    {
      "object": "Fee",
      "type": "LabelFee",
      "amount": "0.00000",
      "charged": true,
      "refunded": false
    },
    {
      "object": "Fee",
      "type": "PostageFee",
      "amount": "10.07000",
      "charged": true,
      "refunded": false
    },
    {
      "object": "Fee",
      "type": "InsuranceFee",
      "amount": "0.50000",
      "charged": true,
      "refunded": false
    }
  ],
  "id": "shp_520cd2ca0ca347bf94572e3e99ddc92e",
  "object": "Shipment"
}
Related Link
Insurance Method
https://www.easypost.com/docs/api/curl#insurance
link

Congratulations! You've just purchased insurance with EasyPost! Check out our Full Reference API Documentation.

Related Link
API Documentation
https://www.easypost.com/docs/api/curl
link