Every time you post, you can feel secure in the knowledge there’s an amount of cover included in case your items get lost or damaged.
We know you might be sending something of greater value than the standard cover. That’s why additional compensation is available, up to £2,500 in most cases.
You can buy additional compensation in any Post Office branch, either at the counter or on the self-service kiosks.
The following tables describe the standard compensation levels for different postage options, as well as the options for enhanced compensation.
Postage compensation amounts
Different fees apply to Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide
Royal Mail inland letter and parcel postage compensation
| Service | Postage compensation |
|---|---|
| 2nd Class | Includes up to £20 compensation for contents |
| 1st Class | Includes up to £20 compensation for contents |
| Signed for | Includes up to £20 compensation for contents |
| Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm | Includes up to £750 compensation for contents. Additional cover up to £2,500 available. Optional consequential loss cover available up to £10,000* |
| Special Delivery Guaranteed by 9am | Includes up to £50 compensation for contents. Additional cover up to £2,500 available. Optional consequential loss cover available up to £10,000* |
Royal Mail international postage compensation
| Service | Postage compensation |
|---|---|
| International Standard up to and including 20g | Includes up to £20 compensation for contents |
| International Standard over 20g | Includes up to £20 compensation for contents |
| International Tracked | Includes up to £50 compensation for contents. Additional cover up to £250 available |
| International Tracked and Signed | Includes up to £50 compensation for contents. Additional cover up to £250 available |
| International signed | Includes up to £50 compensation for contents. Additional cover up to £250 available |
| International Economy | Includes up to £20 compensation for contents |
*Consequential loss cover
Sometimes the damage, delay or loss of an item can lead to greater loss than the actual value of the item itself. For such items you can buy consequential loss cover of up to £10,000. This cover could be a wise choice for important legal documents or tax returns that may result in penalties if lost or not delivered on time.
Ask for consequential loss when you send your item by Special Delivery Guaranteed by 9am or 1pm. Make your claims through Royal Mail Customer Services within 14 days of posting. You’ll need to provide the receipt for purchase as well as proof of the value of the indirect loss to make a claim.
Parcelforce Worldwide inland postage compensation
| Service | Postage compensation |
|---|---|
| express48 | Includes up to £150 compensation for contents. Additional cover up to £2,500 available |
| express48large | Includes up to £150 compensation for contents. Additional cover up to £2,500 available |
| express24 | Includes up to £150 compensation for contents. Additional cover up to £2,500 available |
| expressAM | Includes up to £200 compensation for contents. Additional cover up to £2,500 available |
| express10 | Includes up to £200 compensation for contents. Additional cover up to £2,500 available |
| express9 | Includes up to £200 compensation for contents. Additional cover up to £2,500 available |
Parcelforce Worldwide international postage compensation
| Service | Postage compensation |
|---|---|
| globaleconomy | No compensation |
| globalvalue | Includes up to £100 compensation for contents. Additional cover up to £500 available |
| globalpriority | Includes up to £100 compensation for contents. Additional cover up to £2,500 available |
| globalexpress | Includes up to £200 compensation for contents. Additional cover up to £2,500 available |
| Irelandexpress (Northern Ireland branches only) |
Includes up to £200 compensation for contents. Additional cover up to £2,500 available |