New protection for online shoppers as Black Friday sales approach

Shoppers planning to take advantage of this month’s Black Friday sales are being warned goods purchased online may not be protected during transit, and to consider insuring their purchases.

A survey last year found 13.8 million Australians planned on shopping during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales, which this year begin on November 27.

These discount days proceed the busy Christmas online shopping period, where in 2019, three million parcels were delivered on December 16, and up to two million parcels every day for two weeks. Of course, COVID-19 has also seen more Australians turn to online shopping.

CEO of NTI, Australia’s leading transport and logistics specialist, Tony Clark, said what people often don’t realise is that most goods ordered online and delivered around Australia aren’t insured during transit.

“At the moment, most postal or parcel services and retailers don’t automatically insure goods shipped and delivered, which leaves Australian consumers open to a confusing grey area,” Mr Clark said.

“As consumers, we tend to assume that if we buy goods here in Australia, they’ll be delivered but sellers aren’t necessarily obligated to cover goods on a delivery. They may leave it for the buyer/receiver to work it out.”

Mr Clark said NTI’s Shipping and Delivery Insurance was available for consumers, for transits within Australia, via the NTI website and brokers, while retailers could also opt to purchase it on behalf of their customers.

“It’s a full accidental damage or loss cover that starts at $15 and is available for items valued at up to $50,000 whether they’re carried by vehicle, train, vessel, aircraft or postal service,” he said.

“It’s peace of mind that what you’ve bought is covered from the time it leaves the store or depot to it arriving at your door and if you do need to make a claim it is dealt with here by a team based in Australia.”

Mr Clark said as Australians increasingly adopt online shopping as part of their daily lives, the e-commerce industry is continually evolving, with a number of freight movers and marketplaces, such as Truckit and KIS, already partnering with NTI.

“NTI is Australia’s leading truck and bulk cargo insurer so it made sense to create a policy that insures individual shopping orders.”

NTI’s Shipping and Delivery insurance offers full accidental damage or loss cover with policies starting at $15.