To protect sellers and buyers in the event of lost, stolen, or damaged shipments, Whatnot partners with Shippo and XCover to provide shipping protection and signature confirmation as optional add-ons directly in the Seller Hub.
Note: Currently, signature on delivery and shipping protection are not available for shipments sent from outside of the United States.
Shipping Protection: How It Works
Whatnot partners with Shippo and XCover to offer shipping protection for your orders. This protection covers the value and shipping costs of your items in case of loss, theft, or damage during transit.
If a shipment covered by shipping protection goes missing, you can easily file a claim digitally. XCover’s end-to-end claims handling process aims to complete 95% of claims within 3 days of claim filing.
Sellers can add extra protection for shipments with valuable items to ensure coverage in case of loss or damage during shipping. USPS and UPS automatically provide up to $100 in insurance in the event a package is lost.
Please note that XCover may have limits on their shipping protection, including maximum coverage amounts, items not covered, and signature requirements. If an item in a shipment isn’t covered, sellers can obtain their own insurance and provide a copy of the insurance receipt to Seller Support as proof of coverage.
For more details on XCover shipping protection, please review the terms, conditions, and exclusions. Protection is provided by Cover Genius and powered by XCover.
We understand that in a Card Break or Mystery Games, the market value of an order may exceed the purchase price. In such cases, Whatnot will cover the difference according to our High Value Loss Reimbursement Policy.
Service Costs
The cost of shipping protection is based on the item’s value and shipping costs.
| Service | Costs (United States Domestic Packages) | Costs (United States to International Packages |
| Shipping Confirmation - Signature on delivery |
$3.50 (USPS) $5.55 (UPS) |
Not available internationally |
| Shipping Protection |
1% of item value + shipping cost $10,000 maximum covered amount |
1.5% of item value + shipping cost $10,000 maximum covered amount |
How to Add Shipping Protection
To add shipping protection, go to your Seller Hub and select “Add insurance for this shipment.” You’ll need to include the shipment contents when filling out the form.
Signature Confirmation
Signature confirmation provides proof that an item has been delivered to its intended recipient. Sellers must opt-in for signature confirmation on individual packages.
Sellers: You can select signature confirmation in your Seller Hub. Choose "Require signature on delivery" when editing individual labels.
Buyers: You will receive an email notification if your shipment requires a signature upon delivery. It’s your responsibility to arrange for package receipt by ensuring someone is available at the delivery location or by coordinating with your local post office in case of a missed delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are sellers responsible for the cost of shipping protection?
Yes, sellers are charged for signature confirmation and shipping protection.
Should I insure items below $100?
USPS and UPS automatically provide up to $100 in shipping coverage for lost packages. See USPS insurance policy and UPS insurance policy for more information.
When should I use signature confirmation?
Signature confirmation provides proof of delivery and additional protection. Sellers must opt-in to require signature confirmation for individual packages. Signature confirmation is required for certain items like electronics and jewelry to be insured (more details here).
How do I insure items that are over the $10,000 maximum order value subtotal? Who covers the difference?
Whatnot covers any value over the $10,000 maximum. Sellers can also split the shipment into multiple packages, each under $10,000, and insure them separately. Alternatively, sellers can obtain their own insurance and provide a copy of the insurance receipt to seller support as proof of coverage.
What items are covered under XCover Total Shipping Protection?
Please refer to the list of items that XCover does not cover here.
How is the protection premium calculated?
The premium is 1.0% of the item value plus shipping costs for domestic shipments and 1.5% of the item value plus shipping costs for international shipments.
An item I purchased is missing. I’m not sure if it’s protected. What should I do?
Buyers should submit a ticket to buyer support to report a missing item. Sellers can file a claim for a protected missing item with XCover. Learn how to file a claim with XCover here.
Do sellers need to take any additional steps when shipping high value items internationally?
Yes, U.S.-based sellers shipping items with a purchase price of $2,500 or more to most international locations must fill out an Electronic Export Information (EEI) form. For more information, see the International Trade Administration’s guide on how to submit your EEI.
What happens if I don’t add shipping protection to my items?
Whatnot will handle missing or damaged items without shipping protection on a case-by-case basis. Repeated abuse, especially of high-value items without protection, may result in sellers being held responsible for the full purchase amount. We discourage abuse of our order protection policies.
Who is XCover?
XCover is a platform provided by Cover Genius Insurance Services, LLC (“Cover Genius”), a Delaware limited liability company, 11 West 42nd Street, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10036. Insurance policies are sold by Cover Genius, a licensed insurance producer. For license information, click here.