# Add Insurance to Shipments

You can add insurance to a shipment when [getting a rate](/apis/shipengine/docs/rates/rates#example-with-shipment-details), [creating a shipment](/apis/shipengine/docs/shipping/create-a-shipment), or [purchasing a label](/apis/shipengine/docs/labels/create-a-label). You’ll set the `insurance_provider` property at the shipment level and the `insured_value` property at the package level (for [multipackage shipments](/apis/shipengine/docs/shipping/multi-package), you’ll need to do this for every package in the shipment).

Supported values for the `insurance_provider` property:

| Value | Description |
|  --- | --- |
| `none` | This is the default value for this property and means the package will not be insured. Does not affect reimbursement from carriers that provide default coverage. |
| `funding_source` | This option will assign the insurance provider available with ShipStation Carriers to the shipment (currently ParcelGuard, available for US-based accounts only). The response will auto-populate the `insurance_provider` field with `parcelguard`. |
| `parcelguard` | This option will assign ParcelGuard as the insurance provider for the shipment. Using this value is functionally the same as using the 'funding_source' value. Currently available for US-based accounts only. |
| `carrier` | This option will add the carrier’s insurance to the package if the carrier supports it. |
| `third_party` | This option allows you to indicate the package is insured by a third-party insurance service. Using this value does not *add* insurance to a shipment. Use this option if you have your own parcel insurance account and wish to *identify* packages insured externally for reporting purposes. |
| `shipsurance` | This option is available to US-based ShipStation API accounts that activated [Shipsurance](https://www.shipsurance.com/) prior to July 10, 2024 and wish to continue using the Shipsurance coverage option. |
| `x_cover` | This option will assign XCover from Cover Genius as the insurance provider for the shipment. Currently available for UK-based accounts only. |


If the `insurance_provider` property is set to anything other than `none`, you will also need to set the `insured_value` of each package in the shipment. For example:


```json
{
  "insurance_provider": "funding_source",
  "packages": [
    {
      "insured_value": {
        "currency": "usd",
        "amount": 200
      }
    }
  ]
}
```

## Example Request & Response

This is an example of a purchase label request for a shipment insured with ParcelGuard.

**POST v1/labels**


```http
POST /v1/labels HTTP/1.1
Host: api.shipengine.com
API-Key: __YOUR_API_KEY_HERE__
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "shipment": {
    "service_code": "usps_priority_mail",
    "ship_to": {
      "name": "Amanda Miller",
      "phone": "555-555-5555",
      "address_line1": "525 S Winchester Blvd",
      "city_locality": "San Jose",
      "state_province": "CA",
      "postal_code": "95128",
      "country_code": "US",
      "address_residential_indicator": "yes"
    },
    "ship_from": {
      "company_name": "Example Corp.",
      "name": "John Doe",
      "phone": "111-111-1111",
      "address_line1": "4009 Marathon Blvd",
      "address_line2": "Suite 300",
      "city_locality": "Austin",
      "state_province": "TX",
      "postal_code": "78756",
      "country_code": "US",
      "address_residential_indicator": "no"
    },
    "confirmation": "none",
    "insurance_provider": "funding_source",
    "packages": [
      {
        "weight": {
          "value": 1,
          "unit": "ounce"
        },
        "insured_value": {
          "currency": "usd",
          "amount": 200
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}
```

**Example Response**

The response will include the `insurance_cost` property that shows the insurance fee (add to the `shipment_cost` amount for the total cost of the label including insurance) and the URL to use if you need to file an insurance claim.


```json
{
    "label_id": "se-test-41817394",
    "status": "processing",
    "shipment_id": "se-41817394",
    "ship_date": "2024-04-03T00:00:00Z",
    "created_at": "2024-04-03T17:30:19.9541821Z",
    "shipment_cost":
      {
       "currency": "usd",
        "amount": 9.89
      },
    "insurance_cost":
      {
        "currency": "usd",
        "amount": 2.18
      },
    "tracking_number": "9999999999999",
    "is_return_label": false,
    "is_international": false,
    "batch_id": "",
    "carrier_id": "se-0",
    "service_code": "usps_priority_mail",
    "package_code": "package",
    "voided": false,
    "voided_at": null,
    "label_format": "pdf",
    "label_layout": "4x6",
    "trackable": true,
    "carrier_code": "stamps_com",
    "tracking_status": "unknown",
    "label_download":
      {
        "pdf": "https://api.shipengine.com/v1/downloads/1/s_Tqsu9euEKub6Acc_9UIg/testlabel-2128732.pdf",
        "png": "https://api.shipengine.com/v1/downloads/1/s_Tqsu9euEKub6Acc_9UIg/testlabel-2128732.png",
        "zpl": "https://api.shipengine.com/v1/downloads/1/s_Tqsu9euEKub6Acc_9UIg/testlabel-2128732.zpl",
        "href": "https://api.shipengine.com/v1/downloads/1/s_Tqsu9euEKub6Acc_9UIg/testlabel-2128732.pdf"
      },
    "form_download": null,
    "insurance_claim":
      {
        "href": "https://www.dsiins.com/extclaims/Default.asp?cid=shipengine&psid=0&shipmentid=0"
      }
}
```

## Filing a Claim

How you file a claim will depend on the type of insurance you added to the shipment.

* **ParcelGuard**: Go to the link provided in the shipment response `insurance_claim` field and follow the on-screen instructions. By following the link from the response, most of the claim fields will be auto-filled with the required shipment details.
* **XCover**: Go to the link provided in the shipment response `insurance_claim` field and follow the on-screen instructions.
* **Carrier insurance**: Follow the carrier’s claims process.


## ParcelGuard and XCover Refunds for Voided Labels

If you [void a label](/apis/shipengine/docs/labels/voiding) for a shipment that includes ParcelGuard or XCover, the insurance cost will be immediately refunded back to your account balance.