Shipping Cover - Aramex and Couriers Please
Both Aramex and Couriers Please include automatic transit cover on every consignment, but the limits, claim windows and the effect of Authority to Leave (ATL) are quite different. This article summarises what's covered, the most common claim scenarios, and how to protect yourself.
Quick comparison
|
|
Aramex | Couriers Please |
|---|---|---|
| Cover type | Limited liability (automatic) | Parcel Protect (automatic) |
| Max per consignment | $1,500 | AUD $1,000 |
| Excess | None | First AUD $100 not covered |
| Basis of payout | Cost price excl. GST | Cost of repair/replacement, pre-GST |
| Claim window | 7 days for damage / 30 days for loss | 14 business days from delivery |
| ATL impact | Loss claims waived; damage still claimable | Cover does not apply at all |
How Authority to Leave (ATL) affects your cover
CouriersPlease
Parcel Protect cover does not apply to goods sent with an ATL instruction. This isn't limited to loss: once ATL is selected, the parcel is outside the cover entirely, so damage claims are not payable either.
Source: CouriersPlease – Cover for goods in transit
Aramex
The ATL exclusion is narrower. If an ATL is provided (standing or per-consignment), the customer waives their right to claim where goods are deemed lost, provided Aramex can substantiate delivery with photographic evidence and GPS tracking. The waiver is written around loss, so a genuine in-transit damage claim can still be lodged.
Good to know: with Aramex, ATL is generally recommended and set by default, so most of your Aramex parcels are likely already going out with ATL.
Source: Aramex – Limited liability terms
Common scenarios
1. "Parcel marked delivered but customer says it never arrived" (ATL used)
Not covered by either carrier. Aramex will point to its GPS/photo proof of delivery, and CouriersPlease has no cover on ATL consignments at all. Your options are a police report, your own insurance, or absorbing the cost.
2. "Customer opened the box and the item was broken" (ATL used)
- CouriersPlease: not covered.
- Aramex: claimable, subject to packaging and exclusions.
3. "Parcel never scanned as delivered – lost in the network"
Covered by both carriers, subject to caps, excess and exclusions. This is the cleanest type of claim.
4. "Item was fragile and poorly packed"
Likely to be refused by both. CouriersPlease can refuse a claim where the underwriter determines the goods were insufficiently packaged, as a general freight carrier requires packaging that can withstand general freight handling. (Source)
5. "I want to claim lost sales, a customer refund or delay costs"
Not covered by either. Consequential or indirect loss is excluded. (Source)
6. "The item's value is over the cap"
Cover is capped regardless of declared value. If you ship items worth more than $1,000–$1,500, arrange your own transit insurance.
Tips to protect yourself
- ATL is a trade-off: fewer failed deliveries, but far less protection.
- For high-value or fragile goods, turn ATL off and use signature on delivery.
- Keep your supplier invoices. Payouts are based on cost price, not retail price.
- Lodge claims early. The windows are short and missed deadlines are automatically rejected.