A USPS insurance claim requires proof that the mailing was insured, proof of its value, and evidence of the loss or damage. Tracking that shows a problem is useful, but it does not replace the documents needed to establish a payable claim. The sender or recipient may file when they can supply the required records. [1]
Check the filing window for the mailing service
For damaged articles or missing contents, USPS says to file immediately and no later than 60 days after mailing. Lost-mail claims have a waiting period: ordinarily 7 days for Priority Mail Express and 15 days for Priority Mail, Ground Advantage, or other insured mail, with a 60-day outside filing limit. Military and certain other mailings have different windows, so use the service-specific table rather than treating one deadline as universal. [1]
Build the evidence before submitting
- Save the mailing receipt, tracking number, and proof of insurance.
- Provide a sales receipt, paid invoice, or other acceptable proof of the item’s actual value.
- Photograph the damaged item, container, cushioning, and shipping label.
- Keep the item and all packaging available for a possible postal inspection.
The insurance amount is a coverage ceiling, not automatic proof that the contents were worth that amount. A used item, repairable article, or partially damaged shipment may require additional explanation of the requested payment. USPS’s Domestic Mail Manual governs payable amounts and exclusions. [2]
File, then respond to requests
USPS provides online filing and a claim-by-mail option. Submit readable documents and retain the confirmation. If USPS requests an inspection or additional evidence, follow the notice promptly. Discarding the packaging or sending the item elsewhere before the claim is resolved can leave essential facts unprovable. [1][2]
Appeal a denial with a specific correction
An appeal generally must be filed within 30 days of the original decision. If Accounting Services upholds the denial, a further appeal generally has another 30-day window. Identify the denial reason and provide evidence that addresses it: a missing insurance receipt, clearer value documentation, or inspection records. Repeating the original request without resolving its evidentiary gap is unlikely to help. [2]
An administrative insurance claim differs from a lawsuit against USPS. For problems involving delivery rather than insured value, review the limits on postal liability for lost or withheld mail.
Primary sources
Sources checked: October 31, 2026.