A missing Priority Mail package or a box that arrives crushed feels like money you'll never see again. If you shipped with a tracking barcode, most USPS services include automatic insurance — the process to claim it is specific about timing, so it's worth getting the sequence right the first time.
The automatic insurance most people forget about
Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and USPS Ground Advantage all include $100 of insurance automatically when the shipment carries an applicable USPS tracking barcode — no extra fee, no separate purchase required. If you need more coverage for a valuable item, it has to be purchased at the time of mailing; it cannot be added retroactively once something's already gone missing.
The filing windows — different for lost vs. damaged
- Damaged items or missing contents: file immediately — there's no minimum wait, since you already have the package in hand as evidence.
- Lost Priority Mail or Ground Advantage: wait at least 15 days from the mailing date before filing.
- Lost Priority Mail Express: wait at least 7 days.
- Absolute deadline for all domestic claims: 60 days from the mailing date, regardless of service type or whether it was lost or damaged.
Who can file, and what you need
Either the sender or the recipient can file — but only one claim per package is allowed, and whoever files first and gets approved receives the payment. Whoever files needs the original mailing receipt or tracking confirmation, plus proof of the item's value (a receipt, invoice, or marketplace sale confirmation).
For damage claims specifically: keep every piece of packaging until the claim is fully resolved. USPS may request the physical item and packaging be brought to a local post office for inspection before releasing payment, and disposing of it early can invalidate the claim.
How to file
- Go to usps.com/help/claims.htm and select whether the item was lost or damaged.
- Enter your tracking number and confirm eligibility for the service used.
- Upload your mailing receipt and proof of value; for damage, include photos of the packaging and the item.
- Submit — straightforward claims with complete documentation are typically processed within 5-10 business days; more complex cases or those needing additional documentation can take considerably longer.
✅ Get the sequence right: our free Before Filing a USPS Lost/Damaged Package Claim checklist → covers the service-specific waiting periods, the 60-day deadline, and the evidence to keep.
See also: when a mail problem is actually federal mail fraud (USPIS), and how the Amazon A-to-z Guarantee works for marketplace orders.