Have you ever collected on insurance????

One way to make collecting on a claim if you are the buyer is to have the seller make you the shipper, that way you are more able to control the claim process.

Three claims, and three successful collections within 6 weeks of the claim, from FedEx Ground. But you MUST follow through, fax and refax because they always lose your first 2 claim forms, make phone calls to Claims Service to check on status, write and fax again, and finally you get your check. At least I did, but it's frightening. First two claims were for damaged items; last claim was for speakers apparently stolen from buyer's doorstep where driver left them without a signature.

Over the years, I have had two items damaged in shipment, both were speakers; one pair was shipped by UPS, the other was shipped by Fed Ex. The damage was cosmetic in both cases (corners dented no doubt from dropping a box on end). I had purchased shipping insurance for full replacement value on both shipments. Before boxing the speakers up for shipment, I had a friend/witness carefully inspect the speakers and test their functioning. I also took pictures of the condition of each speaker (all sides) and packaged them carefully (which I also documented with photos). Finally, when I took the boxed-up speakers to the shipper, I asked the shipping clerk to inspect the boxes to ensure the packaging was satisfactory from their perspective. The FedEx clerk said the packaging was fine; the UPS clerk asked me to open my speaker boxes (which I did) and instructed me to add some additional styro-peanuts on top of the factory packaging (which I also did). I made note of each clerk's name and what they said about my packaging.

When the speakers arrived damaged, I had in hand irrefutable photographic evidence and a sworn statement from a credible witness, as well as assurance from the shipping clerks that my packaging was acceptable. I documented all of this in my claim statement. In both cases, the claims were settled immediately (checks sent to buyer/receiver within about 2 weeks). Thus, my experiences filing an insurance claim with UPS and FedEx were both positive, and I have continued to use both shippers without incident.

Bottom line: We live in a world where some people try to cheat the system by filing false insurance claims; if you can show your shipper that you aren't one of these people, the shipper is much more likely to resolve your claim quickly and favorably. You can do this by carefully documenting the pre-shipment condition (cosmetic and functional) of any fragile item you will be shipping, and then having the shipping clerk inspect/approve your packaging and contents. Damage happens; claim rejections don't have to. Don

In short, I had a terrible time collecting from UPS on an amp that was fully insured but arrived DOA. They had even inspected it at the UPS drop-off center. I now use FedEx ground as much as possible. Fed Ex also gets the COD check back to you in one or two days. For UPS it takes between 10 days and forever to get the check.

I had a custom piece of furniture built, when completed the manufacturer suggested Watkins motor freight.

Crate arrived at Watkins warehouse, whereupon they phoned me for delivery instructions. I ask if I may pick up and answered yes.

Upon inspection, I see one corner is damaged, I ask to open the crate to verify goods are not damaged. Permission denied.

I ask the clerk to write on my invoice that corner is damaged and I was refused viewing rights. Upon arrival at my home the goods are damaged at the spot the crate is crushed.

Polaroids of all, and claim filed. Watkins refuses, says good damaged between their terminal and my home. I file suit in small claims court.

Judge awards me as I was refused inspection. He says next time if shipper wants to prove damage occurred between terminal and buyers home, both parties should have the right of inspection, especially when the crate is damaged.

The lesson is get it in writhing. Even then, documentation by Polaroids and Judges rule may be necessary to put things right.