Insurance claims

Perhaps someone who has claimed succesfully might like to comment...

R2

I wonder if anyone ever has had a successful claim. The premium charge is very reasonable, but if they have it constructed such that they will never pay any claims, then it is no bargin.

"Without a picture of the burglar climbing through your second story window, we won't be able to entertain your theft claim!" is an old joke about house insurance companies.

On first look, Auction Sniper's policy appears to constructed in a similar fashion.

Legitimate claims are paid. I know there have been claims paid. However since we're not the insurer I only know via customers who've mentioned it.

The company underwriting and providing the insurance has been doing this for over 15 years I believe and is the most well known company providing shipping insurance.

I doubt the rules are any different than having used the post office. And I'd bet it's even less of a hassle than using the post office as their claim forms are online.

"And I'd bet it's even less of a hassle than using the post office as their claim forms are online."

The availability of forms is not an issue. My concern is that they require documentation to which only the shipper has access. That can't be addressed by online forms.

As the buyer, I can purchase the insurance. However, I don't have any of the documentation that the insurance company requires to support a claim. Look at the type of things they ask for from the buyer.

(1)"Proof of carrier payment". This is proof that the carrier was paid. I didn't ship the item. Someone else shipped it to me. How would I ever have proof that the carrier was paid? I can show that I paid the seller, but they want proof that he paid the carrier and I wouldn't have that.

(2)"Copy of carrier tracer" This is a trace that the carrier initiates from the shipping end. The seller would have to initiate this process and he would have access to the trace report. As the buyer, I wouldn't even have access to the carrier.

If I was a seller, I wouldn't hesitate to use the Universal Parcel Insurance Company (U-PIC). My concern is that Auction Sniper markets this coverage to buyers, and looks to me like buyers can't support a claim.

I'd be delighted to to be wrong, as I would probably purchase the coverage on everything I buy. Hopefully, some buyers who have successfully claimed from U-PIC will post their experience.