I sold my Tudor Black Bay to a dealer. I packed it, slapped a FedEx label on it, and dropped it off. The dealer received an empty box. FedEx denied the claim because I didn’t declare a value. My personal watch insurance denied the claim because “Coverage ceases when the item is sold/shipped to others.”
Key Takeaways
- Personal Policies Stop at Sale: Most personal watch policies (Hodinkee, JM) cover the watch while you own it. Once you sell it and ship it, coverage often ends or has strict shipping limits.
- FedEx/UPS Limits: Standard declared value limits on jewelry/watches are often $500 or $1,000, regardless of what you declare, unless you have a specific high-value account.
- Use Third-Party Shipping Insurance: You must use services like Parcel Pro or Secursus that act as third-party insurers for the shipment.
- “Care, Custody, Control”: Once you hand it to FedEx, it is out of your control. Personal insurance hates this.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is carrier liability limits. FedEx’s terms and conditions explicitly cap liability for jewelry and watches at $1,000. Even if you pay for a $5,000 “declared value,” the fine print still limits the maximum payout for a watch to $1,000.
Meanwhile, a Hodinkee or Jewelers Mutual policy may cover shipping to a service center—because you still own the watch—but shipping to a buyer, where ownership transfers, is often a gray area. That scenario may be excluded entirely or require prior notice and special approval.
The Investigation (My Analysis of 3 Carriers)
How to ship a $10k watch safely.
Parcel Pro (UPS Capital)
- The Pro: This is what dealers use. Fully insured up to $100k+.
- The Con: You usually need a business account, though they are opening up to individuals.
Hodinkee Insurance (Chubb)
- The Policy: They cover shipping to and from you for “service or personal use.”
- The Sale: If you sold it, they might argue insurable interest ended. However, Chubb is generally lenient here if you are the shipper of record. Check with them before shipping.
Ferrari Express / Malca-Amit
- The Heavyweights: For watches >$50k, use an armored courier. They take full liability.
[IMAGE: Photo of a torn FedEx box with “Insured” tape cut open]
Comparison Table
| Method | Cost | Max Payout | Risk |
| Standard FedEx/UPS | Low | $1,000 (Cap) | High |
| USPS Registered Mail | Medium | $50,000 | Low (Slow) |
| Parcel Pro | Medium | Full Value | Low |
| Personal Insurance | $0 | Varies (Check policy) | Medium |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Use USPS Registered Mail: If you don’t have Parcel Pro, this is the safest public option. Every person who touches the bag signs for it. It is slow (1-2 weeks), but insurable up to $50,000.
- Double Box: Put the watch box inside a plain cardboard box. Put that box inside a FedEx box.
- Video the Packing: Film yourself putting the watch in the box and taping it shut at the counter. This fights the “Empty Box” scam.
- Do NOT write “Watch” on the label: Address it to “Bob’s W.” or “Service Dept.” Thieves target labels that say “Jewelry” or “Timepieces.”
FAQ
Does the buyer’s insurance cover it?
Usually no. Coverage starts when they receive it.
What if the buyer says it’s fake?
That’s a fraud dispute, not a shipping claim.
Can I buy shipping insurance online?
Yes. Secursus allows individuals to buy one-off shipping insurance for watches.