Selling insurance is easy. Collecting on a claim can be difficult, particularly with antiques. I shipped some of my family's heirlooms last summer. No third party appraisal was available in northern WI that would have been acceptable to the post office. The items shipped were fragile (china made in 1910 ironically). I was told exactly what I said above. My valuation of the china would be worthless in the event of breakage.
I shipped the china
without insurance as a result. It was well packed and arrived safely.
Prewar cards are antiques.
