USPS Insurance

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by Bocabirdman

Hi Everyone...

I have sent out thousands of packages over the years. I have sent some insured. However, I never gave it much thought. Now, I am preparing to consign a few cards that would have a $5000 replacement value. If I insure them and the worst happens, will the insurance actually pay out? Would I have to "prove" that the contents of the package are worth $5K ? or jump through any other hoops? Or is it a simple process?

Has anyone here actually collected on the USPS's insurance?

You have to prove the worth, printout of Ebay sale or credit card receipt, a letter from an expert might be enough as well. I filed one claim and they made me jump through hoops and it took 6 months to get reimbursed.

[frankbmd]

I sent over 100 pieces of antique china from a small town in northern WI to CA.

When I asked about a potential insurance claim, I was told that an appraisal of value would be necessary. I couldn’t find any recent sales. An eight hour drive would have been required to get an appraisal. After considering the cost of the drive, the cost of the appraisal and the cost of the insurance, this is what I did.

I split the shipment into three parcels. I put enough padding between each individually wrapped piece of china to protect every quarterback in the history of the NFL from injury for life. I sent the large boxes one at a time. Number two wasn’t sent until number 1 arrived safely.

I sent each package parcel post without postal insurance. All arrived safely and there was no breakage. I have heard multiple tales of difficulty in collecting on USPS Insurance claims. It’s hard for me to understand why the post office runs an annual deficit with their insurance seemingly being a cash cow.

I have only had to refund a couple of small eBay sales to fine upstanding eBay buyers who claimed no delivery or damage. Had I insured everything that I have sent using USPS in the last two decades, perhaps they wouldn’t have had a deficit.