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File an Insurance Claim

 

Most of the 700 million pieces of mail we handle every year arrive safely, but when things don’t go as planned we want to get any issues resolved quickly.

File a claim for damaged or lost domestic shipments…

  • Online – Not only will you be able to start your claim immediately, you’ll save time and be able to check status along the way. Available for domestic claims (excluding COD and Registered Mail™).

    First, you need to sign in to USPS.com® or register for an account.  Then, enter
    your item’s article number. tooltip icon

    What does the article number look like?
    Some article numbers are 13 alphanumeric characters beginning in a letter and
    ending in “US.”
    Example: EB123456789US

    If you don’t see a number like that, look for a string of 20, 22, 26, 30, or 34 numbers.
    Start an Online Claim ›
  • At a Post Office – Complete the claim form, gather up the documentation, and bring it to your local Post Office™. The Post Office will forward your claim to our Accounting Services team.
    Print a claim form ›
  • By mail – You can also send all the materials directly to our Accounting Services team.
    Print a claim form ›

    Adobe IconGet Adobe Acrobat ›

What do you need to file a domestic claim?
1 - A Completed Claim Form
File your domestic claim online. Or download the PS Form 1000, Domestic or International Claim form, complete it, mail it to our Accounting Services team.
Print a claim form ›

2 - Evidence of Insurance
A mailing receipt, online label record, or shipment packaging can show the item was sent with insurance or Express Mail. Tooltip Icon

3 - Evidence of Value
You’ll also need to show the item’s value or estimated repair costs, with sales receipts or invoices. tooltip Icon

4 - If Applicable, Proof of Damage or Loss of Contents
If you received something damaged or items are missing from a package, please hang on to the contents you received and all the associated packing materials until your claim is settled. You may be asked to take them to your local Post Office™ for inspection later.

How long does it take to get reimbursement?
When all the documents are in order, claims are usually paid within 30 days.

How soon can you file a domestic claim?
For damage or partial loss, we recommend filing online right away, but the cutoff is 60 days from the date of mailing. No matter how you file, you’ll need to do it within about 6 months of the mailing date.

For a complete loss, use the following guidelines…

Service File from…
Insured Mail 21 to 180 days
Collect on Delivery 45 to 180 days
Registered Mail™ 15 to 180 days
Registered COD 45 to 180 days
Express Mail® 7 to 90 days
Express Mail COD 45 to 90 days
APO/FPO/DPO Insured (First-Class Mail®, Space Available Mail, or Parcel Airlift) 45 days to 1 year
APO/FPO/DPO Insured (Surface Mail) 75 days to 1 year

Still Have Questions?

Browse our FAQs ›

What is evidence of insurance?
If you purchased insurance online you can submit a claim online without providing evidence of insurance. File in a Post Office and you’ll need to print and provide details of your transaction.

For insurance purchased at a Post Office or through a rural carrier, you’ll need the original mailing receipt. This can be a sales receipt or a postmarked Insured Mail, Registered Mail, or COD receipt.

What is evidence of insurance?
If you purchased insurance online you can submit a claim online without providing evidence of insurance. File in a Post Office and you’ll need to print and provide details of your transaction.

For insurance purchased at a Post Office or through a rural carrier, you’ll need the original mailing receipt. This can be a sales receipt or a postmarked Insured Mail, Registered Mail, or COD receipt.

What is evidence of insurance?
If you purchased insurance online you can submit a claim online without providing evidence of insurance. File in a Post Office and you’ll need to print and provide details of your transaction.

For insurance purchased at a Post Office or through a rural carrier, you’ll need the original mailing receipt. This can be a sales receipt or a postmarked insurance, Registered Mail, or COD receipt.

What is evidence of value?
If the item is worth $100 or less, you can provide a statement that includes the purchase date, location, and price, as well as whether the item was new or used.

For more expensive items, evidence of value can include…

  • a sales receipt.
  • an invoice or bill of sale.
  • a copy of the cancelled check or money order.
  • a credit card billing statement.
  • a final and complete transaction sheet indicating the amount deducted from an Internet account.
  • or other documentation indicating the amount paid.

For damaged items, you’ll also need to provide an estimate of the repair costs from a reputable dealer.

How do I find my article number?
Your article number could be found on…

  • the item you mailed.
  • your mailing receipt.
  • your online label record, if you bought the insurance online.
  • your sales receipt, if you bought the insurance at a Post Office.