The program is co-administered by Meslee Insurance Services and backed by Navigators Insurance Company (HUB International and Hartford Fire Insurance Company in Canada).
When you go to file an insurance claim, there is usually a period of time that you will have to wait before you can submit a claim. This is a common practice in the shipping industry especially for loss claims. As delivery times are estimates and are not guaranteed, most carriers or insurance providers will have a waiting period before a claim can be submitted. Shipments that are delayed but still in transit, are generally not considered lost and a claim for loss may be denied. The waiting period ensures that the shipment is not experiencing a prolonged delay. For this reason, the waiting period will vary based on the shipment’s destination (i.e. U.S., Canada or international). However, in the event that the shipment tracking updates while the insurer is processing your claim, the insurer may deny your claim.
Waiting periods for Chit Chats Insurance
Claims for damage
- U.S. - Immediately
- Canada - Immediately
- International - Immediately
Claims for loss
- U.S. - 21 days from the ship date, 45 days if shipped to APO or FPO addresses
- Canada - 21 days from the ship date
- International* - 45 days from the ship date, 60 days if shipped to an address in Italy
- Starting August 6
- U.S. - 15 days from ship date, 30 days if shipped to APO or FPO addresses
- Canada - 15 days from ship date
- International 30 days from the ship date
Important! All claims must be submitted within 90 days of the postage purchase date. The Insured will have one (1) year from the date postage was purchased to provide any required and/or additional documentation which has been requested of the Insured to substantiate said claim. In the case that required and/or additional documentation which has been requested goes ninety (90) days with no document submission will result in denial of the claim. Claim can be reopened upon submission of requested documents if documents are submitted within one (1) year from the date postage was purchased. Failure to provide the required and/or additional documentation within one (1) year from the postage purchase date will result in the denial of the claim.
If you choose to reimburse your customer for the lost/damaged shipment before the required waiting period or before the claim is approved, you will be doing so at your own risk.
Waiting periods for carrier insurance
If you are looking to file a claim for carrier insurance (i.e. USPS, Canpar and with the exception of Chit Chats Canada Tracked) you will need to confirm the waiting period with the carrier. Each carrier has different waiting periods dependent on:
- The type of claim (e.g. loss or damage)
- The shipment’s destination (e.g. U.S. or international)
- The service used (see USPS)
Chit Chats Canada Tracked
Carrier insurance claims for Chit Chats Canada Tracked shipments can be filed 10 days after the ship date and must be filed directly with us. All claims must be initiated within 30 days of the original ship date with Chit Chats.