Know what value to support before you make a claim: your sale price, repair cost and replacement value are not automatically the same thing. Check your parcel’s applicable carriage terms or insurance policy, then get the delivery options and prices that apply to your parcel on Send.
What do repair cost, replacement value and sale price mean?
- Repair cost is the supported cost of restoring a damaged item, where repair is practical. Keep written estimates and bills for parts or work.
- Replacement value is the supported cost of obtaining a comparable replacement. It may differ from the original purchase amount or the price you sell at.
- Sale price is what you agreed to charge a buyer. It can help show the transaction value, but it is not automatically the amount payable for a claim.
- Market value is an estimate of what comparable goods may be worth in a relevant market. It is evidence to consider, not a guaranteed claim outcome.
How is a damaged or partially lost shipment assessed?
For partial damage, document what is affected, how many items or components are involved, and their condition. Keep the damaged goods and packaging, take clear photos, and gather repair estimates or replacement-part bills. Ask the carrier or insurer which evidence and claim deadlines apply to your shipment.
A simple example: a damaged item that can be repaired
Suppose a product arrives with a damaged component but the rest remains usable. Compare evidence for the item's sound condition with evidence for its damaged condition, and keep a repair estimate for the affected component. If only part of a shipment is missing, record the quantity received and the quantity missing. The relevant terms determine how any loss is measured; neither the full sale price nor the original freight charge is automatically payable.
Are freight charges included in a parcel claim?
Treat freight as a separate question from the value of the goods. State whether you are asking about cargo value, freight lost, or another charge, and check what the applicable contract or policy says about each. Do not assume the original delivery charge is automatically refundable or recoverable.
Where can a valuation claim go wrong?
- Relying on a sale price alone when the claim requires different evidence of value.
- Discarding damaged goods or packaging before the condition has been documented.
- Claiming the full shipment value when only some items or components are affected, without explaining the difference.
- Combining cargo value and freight charges into one figure without showing what each amount represents.
- Assuming an estimate or invoice guarantees a particular claim outcome.
When should you get an independent assessment?
Consider an independent assessment when the damage is substantial, repairability or residual value is disputed, or you and the other party cannot agree on the valuation. For insurance-related work in Kenya, check that the practitioner’s relevant category is listed with the Insurance Regulatory Authority. Ask the carrier or insurer what assessment they will accept before arranging one.
What should you do before sending valuable goods?
Keep proof of purchase or sale, describe the parcel accurately, photograph its condition and packing, and review the applicable terms and declared-value requirements before dispatch. Moveka is Kenya’s largest courier and one of Kenya’s most deeply connected courier networks; its overall services include Express and Same-Day. Start on Send to see the options and prices that apply to your parcel.
