Route Protection vs. AfterShip Protection
Finding the right shipping protection solution is essential for guaranteeing customer loyalty and optimizing claims operations. This page compares AfterShip Protection—a world class shipping protection platform built for enterprise retailers, with Route— another package protection platform to help you choose the right platform.
Overview
Both AfterShip Protection and Route Protect offer shipment protection against loss, damage, and theft. However, AfterShip Protection stands out with more comprehensive coverage, while Route Protect has coverage limitations and complicated processes that brands might not be aware of.
By reviewing this page, you will understand the differences between AfterShip Protection and Route Protect in terms of transparency, implementation, and customer service.
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What does AfterShip do?
AfterShip is a post-purchase customer experience platform that helps retailers improve customer loyalty through a full suite of software—shipment tracking, returns management, estimated delivery prediction, multi-carrier shipping, shipping protection, and carbon footprint accounting. All AfterShip's products are developed in-house to ensure a consistent user experience. As such, AfterShip delivers world-class shipping protection to customers via our Protection API, designed for easy engineering. AfterShip Protection seamlessly integrates with mainstream eCommerce platforms, such as Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Shopify, Shopify Plus, and more.
An overview of AfterShip Protection
Powered by InsureShield®, AfterShip Protection protects brands and end consumers against loss, damage, and porch piracy. AfterShip Protection provides global, cross-carrier coverage and covers 120% of the protected value to help offset expedited re-order costs. AfterShip Protection does not require police reports for any stolen packages and covers all damages, including dents and scratches. AfterShip Protection's easy-to-use merchant dashboard is built within AfterShip's all-in-one post-purchase platform. The Protection dashboard allows brands to view all claims and set key features such as automated resolutions, claims status notifications, automated submissions, and claims analytics. With AfterShip Protection, end consumers can opt for shipping protection in the cart or during the checkout process. If a customer needs to file a claim, they can visit the user-friendly claims portal to submit a claim in under 5 minutes. Claims are approved, on average, within 4 days. An approved claim results in either a product replacement or a refund credited to the original payment method. AfterShip Protection ensures that brands are in control of their customers' claims resolution experience and is there to support brands, not to make decisions for them.
What does Route do?
Route began as a shipping protection platform and evolved into offering basic shipment tracking through their consumer app for small to medium-sized DTC brands. However, unlike AfterShip, Route only offers a partial suite of post-purchase products, lacking key features such as returns management, predictive delivery dates, and multi-carrier shipping. As such, enterprise-level brands may find it challenging to leverage Route to streamline their operations or expand globally.
An overview of Route Protect
Route Protect offers shipping protection for lost, stolen, and certain damaged packages. Route Protect covers the value of the merchandise, but does not include shipping costs, taxes, the Route premium, or custom/duty fees. For filed claims, Route Protect may request notarized incident statements and police reports for stolen packages and does not cover dents or scratches. Route Protect's dashboard allows brands to view all protected shipments and analytics within one portal. Route Protect allows end consumers to opt for shipping protection in the cart or during checkout. Consumers can submit claims through Route's consumer claims portal. Consumers will either receive a replacement or a refund via PayPal. Only a select group of Route merchants can offer refunds to the original payment method. Once a claim is submitted, Route manages the customer experience, including refunding the consumer directly. The process does not require input from the brands, thereby removing their control of and insight into the customer experience, which can be critical to their success.
Pricing comparison
To better understand the difference in cost between AfterShip and Route's shipping protection software, let's compare their prices and decide which one is ideal for your business.
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AfterShip Protection’s pricing
AfterShip Protection is tailored to your business, and the protection premium is approximately 1.5% of the merchandise value. AfterShip Protection is a free service to implement and will only require custom pricing if implemented via API.
In the event that a higher-than-expected number of claims are made, and the premium rate needs to be adjusted, AfterShip will notify the brand before making any changes. This will allow brands to manage these predictable costs efficiently.
Route Protect’s pricing
Route Protect's premium rate is not transparent and is determined by factors such as industry, seasonality, and historical claims rate. As a result, these rates fluctuate between 1.5-5%, and changes can be implemented without notice under Route's guidelines. This large fluctuation could make managing costs difficult for brands.
A quick company overview
You need a reliable partner to help you grow and scale. So take time to get to know the company that will hold hands with you in your protection journey. See how AfterShip and Route compare on a company level.
AfterShip | Route | |
Year founded | 2012 (source) | 2018 (source) |
Number of employees | 450 (source) | 480 (source) |
Number of customers | 20,000+ paid customers (source) | 2,000+ (source) |
Claims success rate | 95% of valid claims approved (source) | Not publicly available |
Payment structure | Company-paid, consumer-paid or hybrid (source) | Company-paid, consumer-paid or hybrid (source) |
Claiming porch-pirated packages | Claim deadline extended past 15 days; a police report not required (source) | Must wait 5 days after "delivery date" but not longer than 15 days; a police report can be requested (source) |
Classifying & claiming damaged pacakges | Claim deadline extended past 15 days; cosmetic damages (dents, scratches, etc.) are covered (source) | Must file within 15 days of the delivery date; does not cover cosmetic damages (dents, scratches, etc.) (source) |
Claiming lost packages | No waiting period; claim deadline extended past 30 days (source) | Must wait 7 days (20 days for international shipments) but not longer than 30 days. (source) |
Data security | SOC2 Type I & Type II, GDPR compliant, ISO27001 (source) | SOC2 Type I, GDPR Compliant (source)) |
Switching from Route to AfterShip
AfterShip provides a dedicated Solutions Architect to help ensure a seamless transition from Route to AfterShip without data loss.
Step 1. Plan
Formulate a plan to build the post-purchase system you need. Think about your desired features and the integration with your current tool.
Step 2. Migrate
Move your data to AfterShip with the help of a Solutions Architect. You can include customer data, workflows, and reports.
Step 3. Test
Set up the system the way you want, then test, and preview the design before rolling it out. You can configure workflows, dashboards, and more.
Step 4. Scale
Once everything is running smoothly, you can duplicate your custom settings as needed to meet the demands of your growing business.
Recognized by customers for exceptional service
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How AfterShip customers boost revenue and retention
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“AfterShip Protection has given us the flexibility to offer resolutions at any time during the claims process. It allows us to be more proactive and timely in resolving claims. This is vital for a brand that cares about delivering a consistent experience.”
Chief Executive Officer
Quality hip-hop jewelry brand
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“Customers have been impressed with the optional protection, especially those that live in high-theft areas. They are satisfied with the low cost in exchange for the peace of mind offered to protect their high-end purchase. We have not seen any complaints about the process after submitting a claim.”
Customer Experience Manager
Leading functional accessory brand
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