MorphMarket Shipping Protection

Effective Date: May 4, 2026

MorphMarket Shipping offers optional shipment protection as an add-on for purchase with a shipping label. Packages shipped without shipment protection are not eligible for coverage or late arrival reimbursement.

Shipment protection can be purchased in increments of $100, with a maximum coverage amount of $5,000, for $2.00 per $100-increment of coverage.

• Shipment protection is only valid for live animals shipped via:
  • (1) FedEx Priority Overnight or UPS Next Day Air services shipped Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, excluding legal holidays, and the day prior to a legal holiday; or
  • (2 ) FedEx Standard Overnight Shipping or UPS Next Day Saver services shipped Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, excluding legal holidays, and the day prior to a legal holiday, as long as the live animal shipment is held for pick-up at the recipient’s closest authorized pick-up facility.
• To be eligible for shipment protection  shipments must strictly comply with specific packaging and shipping guidelines required under our Live Animal Shipping Guidelines and Standards, MorphMarket Shipping’s Terms and Conditions, Shipping Temperature Guidelines, and all other shipping policies and procedures found here, including the shipping provider's (FedEx and/or UPS) packaging and shipping guidelines, as applicable.
  • Failure to strictly comply with all shipping guidelines, standards and terms and conditions will void coverage. 
• Always check the MorphMarket Shipping Alerts & Updates page for important weather information and service disruptions.
• Only shipping labels purchased through MorphMarket Shipping are eligible to be covered under this policy. 
• To qualify for coverage, MorphMarket Shipment protection must be purchased prior to shipping. Labels without Shipment protection added are not covered by either protection type. 
• MorphMarket Shipment protection Coverage is NOT applicable for corals.

Live Arrival Coverage

If a shipment arrives late and the animal arrives deceased, reimbursement is limited to the lesser of:

• (1) The documented purchase price paid (excluding taxes and fees) plus actual shipping cost, or
• (2) The selected coverage amount.
• Reimbursement will not exceed the verified transaction amount.
• Listing price, projected value, or subjective market estimates are not used to determine reimbursement.
• MorphMarket reserves the right to reduce or deny claims if a transaction is artificially inflated, not conducted at arm’s length, or otherwise structured to increase a claim. Fraud or policy abuse voids coverage.
• To qualify for Live Arrival Shipment protection benefits the package must be delivered at least one (1) minute late according to shipping provider's guaranteed delivery time
  • Live Arrival Insurance does not cover delays when the animal arrives alive.
• To be reimbursed for the full value of the animal and the cost of the shipping label, you should cover the shipment for the total value of the animal(s) PLUS the cost of the shipping label.
  • Example 1: If an animal was sold for $450, you pay $50 in shipping, and you purchase $500 worth of Shipment protection coverage, you will receive a coverage payout of $500.
  • Example 2: If an animal was sold for $400, you pay $50 in shipping, and you purchase $400 worth of Shipment protection, you will receive a coverage payout of $400.
  • Example 3: If an animal was sold for $50, you pay $50 in shipping, and you purchase $200 worth of Shipment protection, you will receive a coverage payout of $100.

Late Arrival Coverage 

If your package arrives one (1) or more days late, as determined by the shipping provider's guaranteed delivery time, you may be eligible for a reimbursement of the original shipping label value. 

• Packages shipped without Shipment protection are not eligible for late arrival reimbursement.
• Effective for labels purchased after 04/15/2025.
  • Labels purchased prior to this date are not covered under this policy.
• Only the base cost of the shipping label will be refunded. 
  • Shipment protection, or other label add-ons, such as signature on delivery, are not eligible for refund. 
• The delivery time is established by the time the shipping provider scans the package as "available for pickup.”
  • Example 1: A package has a guaranteed delivery time of 11/11 at 11:00 am. If the package arrives on 11/12 at 10:00 am, you are eligible for a reimbursement.
  • Example 2: A package has a guaranteed delivery time of 11/11 at 11:00 am. If the package arrives on 11/11 at 3:00 pm, you are not eligible for a reimbursement.

Qualifications and Limitations 

To be eligible for Shipment protection, shipments must adhere to specific packaging and shipping guidelines, including, but not limited to:

• All shipments must meet MorphMarket Shipping packaging standards, including temperature control and insulation guidelines.
  • Proper packaging helps ensure the safety of your items and compliance with insurance requirements.  See our Live Animal Shipping Guidelines and Standards, MorphMarket Shipping’s Terms and Conditions, Shipping Temperature Guidelines, and all other shipping policies and procedures found here, including shipping provider’s packaging and shipping guidelines, as applicable.
• All packaging MUST be approved for Live Animal Shipments.
  • For FedEx shipments: As per new FedEx requirements, you may NOT reuse boxes or use packaging with another reptile shipping company’s name or logo. 
• Packages booked with MorphMarket Shipping insurance MUST be booked using the FedEx Priority Overnight, UPS Next Day Air, FedEx Standard Overnight, or UPS Next Day Air Saver shipping options.
• There is no Shipment protection available for other shipping service types.
• The shipment must be scanned into the shipping provider's system in time for the end-of-day pickup, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, excluding legal holidays and the day prior to legal holidays.
• Shipments must be dropped off at an authorized provider location or picked up by the provider at a pre-arranged time.
  • Drop-offs at third-party locations, such as retail outlets, will void insurance coverage.
• If a package is delivered on time according to the shipping provider's guaranteed delivery time, insurance benefits are void.
  • Live Arrival Shipment Protection : To qualify for Live Arrival Shipment protection benefits, the animal must arrive deceased AND the package must be delivered at least one (1) minute late according to shipping provider's guaranteed delivery time.
  • Late Arrival Shipment Protection: To qualify for Late Arrival Shipment protection coverage benefits, the package must show up at least one (1) full day late according to the shipping provider's guaranteed delivery time.
• Requiring a signature on delivery can result in package delays; using this service voids the MorphMarket Shipment protection.
• Packages must be received on the first delivery attempt to qualify for Shipment protection. If a package is shipped with a "Hold for Pickup" instruction at an authorized provider's facility and is ready for pickup before the delivery time, Shipment protection benefits are void.
• Shipment protection will be void if a package is shipped during designated "no-ship" periods.
  • As per our MorphMarket Shipping Terms and Conditions, "MorphMarket Shipping may announce shipping delays or disruptions in jurisdictions as a courtesy to Members and users; however, MorphMarket Shipping is under no such obligation to do so, and you agree that MorphMarket Shipping shall not be liable for its omission of, or failure to make, any announcement regarding shipping delays or disruptions." It is the shipper's responsibility to ensure there are no service disruptions.
  • Be sure to monitor both the MorphMarket Shipping Alerts & Updates page as well as the shipping provider's website for information regarding weather events and service disruptions.
  • Shipment protection coverage applies only to shipments tendered to the carrier after the time of purchase and before any suspension notice is issued. Please check the shipping page for alerts prior to tendering your shipment.
• MorphMarket Shipping's Shipment protection does not cover any injuries to animals sustained during transit.
• Packages rerouted due to shipping errors, such as an incorrect address, or returned to the original shipper, are not eligible for Shipment protection benefits/payments. 

Reporting Claims

DOA Claims: Dead on arrival (“DOA”) claims must be reported within four (4) hours of the recorded delivery time. Photo and video evidence MUST be provided within eight (8) hours of the recorded delivery time.

• For Hold for Pickup shipments, the recorded delivery time is the moment the package becomes available for pickup. Recipients must pick up the animal promptly and report any DOA within four (4) hours.

Late Arrival Claims: Late arrival claims must reported within thirty-six (36) hours of the recorded delivery time. Sufficient evidence must be provided to establish late arrival benefits apply.

Errors that Void Shipment Protection Coverage:

To remain eligible to make a claim under Shipment protection, the following shipping errors should be avoided. Non-compliance will invalidate coverage. All live animal packages must follow our Live Animal Shipping Guidelines and Standards, and our Shipping Temperature Guidelines, including, but not limited to, avoiding the following errors:

• Improper use of heat packs, Phase22 packs, or cold packs.
• Using hand-warmers, foot-warmers, or any heat pack is not designed specifically for live animal shipments.
• Shipping outside of the specified temperature parameters and high/low limitations. This includes the temperatures at the origin (the "from" address), sort facility, and/or destination (the "to" address).
• Insufficient ventilation or punching too many holes in the box.
• Using improper insulation.
• Using incorrect boxes, such as ones that are too thin, torn, damaged, or are not rated for live animal shipments.
• Dropping off packages at non-authorized Ship Centers (e.g., FedEx Office, CVS, Hardware Stores, Kinkos, Walgreens, or other retail outlets).
  • All authorized FedEx and UPS facilities will be listed on MorphMarket
• Dropping off after the last pickup time at the shipping provider’s authorized facility.
• Shipping on the incorrect day. MorphMarket Shipping insurance only covers live animal shipments sent Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, using the FedEx Priority Overnight, UPS Next Day Air, FedEx Standard Overnight, or UPS Next Day Air Saver shipping options.
• Shipping the day prior to a legal holiday or on a legal Holiday.
• Shipping during inclement weather, service disruptions, or designated "no-ship" periods.

Filing a Shipment Protection Claim

How to File a Claim for DOA

MorphMarket Shipping Live Arrival Shipment protection protects your shipment against animal death due to late delivery. To ensure your claim is processed, follow these guidelines:

1. Eligibility for a DOA Claim

• For a DOA claim to be valid, the package must be delivered late, according to the shipping provider's guaranteed delivery time.
  • If the package arrives on time, the insurance does not cover DOA claims.

2. Reporting a DOA Claim

• For a delivery to be considered late for the purposes of Live Arrival Shipment protection coverage,  the first delivery attempt must occur one minute or more after the shipping provider's guaranteed delivery time. This is determined by the time the package is scanned as "available for pickup."
• If the claim includes a dead arrival, MorphMarket Shipping must be contacted within four (4) hours of the recorded delivery time, as noted by the shipping provider's driver.
  • For shipments Held for Pickup at the shipping provider's authorized facility, the recorded delivery time is when the shipment becomes available for pickup. The recipient must pick up the animal and report the DOA within four (4) hours of that time.
• To report a claim, email [email protected] with the following information:
  • Your email address and phone number
  • The package’s tracking number
• Claims can be submitted via email, and it be recorded at the time the email is received. We recommend instructing the recipient to contact MorphMarket Shipping to ensure the claim is recorded promptly. Once received, MorphMarket Shipping will follow up with the shipper to handle the claim directly.

3. Evidence Required for DOA Claims

• Proof of Purchase
• Photos or Video: Photo and/or video evidence must be provided within eight (8) hours of the recorded delivery time.
  • Packaging: Clear digital photos or video of all packaging, including the legible label on the box, the condition of the outer box, insulation inside the box, packing material, and any heat/cold/phase pack used.
  • Animal: Clear digital photos or video of the animal showing its condition, markings, and if rolled onto its back.
• Submission: Must be reported within four (4) hours of the recorded delivery time. All other evidence MUST be provided within eight (8) hours of the recorded delivery time.

4. DOA Claim Payments

Payments will be made to the account owner who purchased the shipping label unless written permission is provided for payment to another party.

Claims can take up to (14) business days to process. By default, DOA claim payouts will be issued as a shipping label credit unless otherwise requested by the payee. If requested, claims will be paid out via check and mailed directly via certified mail to the payee. Postage costs for mailing will be deducted from the amount of the claim payout. Checks may require additional processing time.

By following these steps, you ensure that your claim is processed efficiently and correctly. 

How to File a Claim for Late Arrival

1. Eligibility for a Late Arrival Claim

To qualify for late arrival reimbursement benefits, the package must be delivered at least one (1) full day after the shipping provider's guaranteed delivery time. 

• Effective for labels purchased after 04/15/2025.
  • Labels purchased prior to this date are not covered under this policy.

2. Reporting a Late Arrival Claim

• Late Arrival claims must be made within thirty-six (36) hours of the delivery time. 
• To file a claim for late delivery, please email [email protected] with the original tracking number.

3. Late Arrival Claim Payments

Payments will be made to the account owner who purchased the shipping label unless written permission is provided for payment to a different party. 

Claims can take up to (14) business days to process. Late Arrival claim payments will be paid in the form of a MorphMarket Shipping Label credit only. Only the base cost of the label will be reimbursed. Insurance cost or other label add-ons, such as signature on delivery, will not be refunded.

Disclaimers

MorphMarket Shipping offers both FedEx and UPS service types. For the purposes of this document, “shipping provider” or “shipping providers” refers to, but is not limited to: FedEx Corporation (FedEx) and its affiliated entities, United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) and its affiliated entities, and any other third party that provides pickup and delivery services on behalf of MorphMarket Shipping. Unless otherwise stated, all guidelines, standards, and requirements outlined in this document apply equally to shipments made with either shipping provider.

MorphMarket Shipping reserves the right to deny benefits for any Shipment protection claims that do not meet the outlined terms and conditions of MorphMarket Shipping and the shipping providers. Additionally, MorphMarket Shipping reserves the right to change its Shipment protection policy and amend these terms and conditions from time to time.  Any material changes to costs, coverages, or exclusions will apply prospectively on the effective date of such change.

For any additional questions, please email [email protected].