UPS Declared Value (Insurance) Fees for Device Returns

Hello! 

I work with the Wyoming Assistive Technology Resources (WATR) program, based in Laramie, Wyoming. WATR is housed within the University of Wyoming under the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND), a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). Our policy requests that clients are responsible for the return shipping costs with a carrier.

Recently, we've encountered concerns from a few clients regarding being quoted high fees from UPS when returning devices to us—particularly in cases where the declared value of the item is significant (e.g., a $9,000 device).

Some clients have reported being quoted over $1,000 by UPS for insurance/declared value coverage. One client decided to drive 45 miles to return our device instead of paying the high fee. 

After researching UPS's declared value policy, here's what I found:

• Basic Coverage: UPS includes up to $100 of declared value coverage at no additional cost.

• Additional Coverage: For declared value above $100:

  • $4.80 covers up to $300

  • Then, $1.60 is charged for each additional $100 of declared value

Example: For a $9,000 device:

• First $300: $4.80

• Remaining $8,700 = 87 x $1.60 = $139.20

• Total estimated insurance cost: $4.80 + $139.20 = $144.00

Based on this, our clients should only be paying approximately $144.00 to insure a $9,000 shipment.

We are reaching out to ask if any other AT Act Programs have encountered similar issues with carriers regarding device insurance coverage with their clients. 

If your program has experienced anything comparable, we would greatly appreciate hearing about your experience.

Gisele Knopf , AT Program Specialist     

watr@uwyo.edu