In the bonsai world, where trees are more than just plants—they’re living art—Wigert’s Bonsai has spent over 20 years becoming a trusted name. Known for its high-quality bonsai, from beginner trees to rare collector’s pieces worth thousands of dollars, this family business has developed a loyal following. But as Wigert’s expanded its online store, they faced a big challenge: how to safely ship these delicate, valuable trees to customers across the U.S. and internationally. That’s when InsureShield® shipping insurance by UPS Capital became a key part of their shipping strategy, helping Wigert’s protect their shipments and give customers peace of mind.

Meeting Shipping Challenges with a Solid Strategy

Shipping live, fragile bonsai trees takes a lot of careful planning. Wigert’s Bonsai has perfected packing methods over 15 years of online sales, using custom boxes and materials to keep each tree safe in transit. But even with the best packing, things can go wrong, especially with items as delicate as bonsai. Co-owner Andrea Wigert shared, “Our customers expect us to make sure their tree arrives safely. If it doesn’t, they look to us to fix it.” In the beginning, Wigert’s relied on standard shipping coverage from carriers, but they found it had gaps, especially for perishable items. If something went wrong, they often had to spend time proving who was at fault. When one of their account managers recommended InsureShield, they found a better solution. Now, Wigert’s can insure every shipment—no matter which carrier they use—against damage, loss, or even porch theft. This added protection helps them keep their customers happy and avoid big losses.

Easy, Automated Coverage

One of the best things about InsureShield for Wigert’s is how easy it was to set up. By connecting InsureShield protection by UPS Capital and ShipStation®, Wigert’s was able to automate coverage for both U.S. and inernational shipments. “Setting it up took less than 20 minutes, and now each shipment is automatically insured,” Andrea explained. They can even mark higher-risk shipments for extra coverage, which is a huge relief for delicate or high-value items heading to certain areas. For bigger freight shipments, Wigert’s uses a special upload tool from InsureShield to cover those as well. This means they can insure every tree, whether it’s being shipped to their nursery, a new bonsai enthusiast across the country, or a serious collector overseas. This all-in-one coverage gives Wigert’s confidence that every shipment is protected from the moment it leaves their facility to when it reaches its new home.

Turning Insurance into a Customer Confidence Boost

Wigert’s has taken their shipping insurance a step further by openly sharing details about the coverage with their customers. “If I can tell a customer that their $20,000 tree is covered no matter what, it gives them a good feeling,” Andrea said. This reassurance helps build trust from the start, which is especially important for a small business-like Wigert’s, where customer relationships matter a lot. Knowing their purchase is protected makes customers feel confident about ordering, whether they’re nearby or thousands of miles away. Claims with InsureShield are usually handled quickly, often within a week, so Wigert’s can resolve any issues fast and keep customers happy. Plus, the InsureShield® online portal lets Wigert’s manage all their claims in one place, making it easy to stay organized and save time.

Supporting Businesses with Reliable Solutions

Wigert’s story resonates with other businesses that face unique shipping challenges. Industries dealing in fine art, musical instruments, specialized machinery, and high-value equipment face similar issues. In each case, ensuring safe delivery is not just about protecting a financial asset; it’s about preserving the relationship between the business and the customer. For small businesses, that relationship is often the most valuable part of the transaction. By providing reliable, flexible insurance solutions, InsureShield enables businesses like Wigert’s Bonsai to focus on their craft, knowing that each shipment is backed by the kind of coverage that makes a difference. As Wigert’s Bonsai grows, it does so with the confidence that it has the tools to deliver an exceptional customer experience should something go wrong.