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How do I cover myself from my claim being denied if the knife gets lost even when I added insurance

As you know I'm thinning my toenail collection and have been researching/learning some of the ins & outs of the different carriers (USPS/UPS/FedEx) insurance rules.

First, allow me to establish what I've learned so far so you can help-

1) to collect on a claim once an item is lost the sender most prove it's value (via an appraisal, in most cases). Simply "declaring" an items value won't cut it. And just because I insured it for $5000 doesn't mean UPS/USPS/FedEx will pay that amount cause they won't. Actually from what I've learned added insurance is a racket.

In fact, rare and collectible items (knives/stamps/coins/etc) are also in many cases excluded from being covered, even if the sender bought the added insurance (each carriers basic insurance varies but it isn't much anyway). But the point is just because the sender bought the necessary insurance, that in and of itself, does't insure the sender will receive any compensation because of the nature of the item that was sent.

Case in point take a gander at this-

USPS Proof of Value includes a receipt, invoice, or bill of sale

FedEx Non-Payable Claims and Claims Subject to Limitations

Antiques or any commodity that exhibits the style or fashion of a past era and whose history, age or rarity contributesto its value. These items include, but are not limited to, furniture, tableware and glassware.

Collector's items such as coins, stamps, sports cards, souvenirs and memorabilia

UPS Packages containing the following items are limited to specific quantities, size and/or value or are strictly prohibited:

Artwork

Jewelry

Loose Gemstones and Loose Pearls

Precious Metals

Knives

There are tons of loop holes and this webpage gives a pretty good i...

I admit I'm not as familiar with USPS because like with Priority Mail it doesn't provide true point-by-point tracking; in fact, all that tracking does is tell me if the item arrived and if not, can't tell me where it is. Where UPS/FedEx tracking does.

So the question remains- How do I prevent my added insurance claim from being denied if the item is lost by a carrier when shipping rare collectible knives?

Tags: carriers, claims, fedex, insurance, shipment, shipping, ups, usps

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on February 8, 2013 at 11:26

When I ship a knife with the USPS, they ask how much I want to insure it for, say $100 or $300, something like that. I have been told if it's lost by them, I collect that amount, no questions asked. It must be signed for by the person recieving the package.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on February 8, 2013 at 12:30

Today for high value, irreplaceable items, the only way to insure them and see they get to their respective destination is through the use of a courier service. Several companies provide this service and same day service is available. Cost is cabs, airlines, limo's or rental cars plus their personnel rate. They get a signature and provide it back to you. Jewelers have done it for years as have wine connoisseurs who long for that rare but tasty fruit. Couriers are usually screened, bonded and quite reliable.

Check your yellow pages or search the World Wide Web!

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Permalink Reply by Ron Cooper on February 8, 2013 at 12:46

Scott,

Shipping a knife via registered mail with the appropriate amount of insurance would probably be your best bet. Obviously you would want to have ample photographs and a recent independent appraisal. But, as we both know, even that is a roll of the dice. The only way you can get an item into the hands of a recipient with any degree of certainty is to hand it to them yourself. Even then they might claim you never gave it to them. There are no absolutes in this world. Or so it would seem?

Best wishes,

Ron