Ebay Shipping - Insurance

[nuclearomen]

Just curiosity - when you purchase label with ebay shipping USPS and add insurance, which one do you choose - the cheaper 3rd party insurance or the USPS insurance? Has anyone ever had issue claiming the 3rd party insurance? 

[bbravo65]

...I had couple time chosen the 3rd party one due to cheaper cost (sorry for being a cheapskate), but then my nephew told me don't use them if USPS was a courier then better use USPS insurance...it will be easier to file claims...

[katzrul15]

I always do the USPS shipping insurance.  

[max-list]

I've read always get the USPS one. More established and more likely to get your money back. Except I'm sure it takes a long time with either one.

[nuclearomen]

interesting... well, I'll tell you a secret - I don't purchase insurance unless it's an expensive item. Priority has it included ($100 for TRS) anyways. Easier to just replace or refund in most cases. USPS has sent me checks in the past, though it took 3 months and a ton of document uploading. 

[popblox]

Don't ever get Shipcover insurance if you have a choice, it's an absolute nightmare on so many levels.

[nuclearomen]

@popblox so i've heard - never used it, but figured as much - as with most 3rd party services

[postingid7659]

They call it ship cover but it doesn't cover the first half of it's name.   They also entirely exclude certain categories of items, but eBay will still let you waste your money to buy it. 

USPS used to be good on claims, hear they're harder now, but still better than almost anyone else. 

[katzrul15]

We only purchase it for expensive items as well.  I have never had an issue with a USPS claim - my postmaster has always been really helpful if for some reason my online claim has hit a snag.  

With USPS, you know you can always go meet with someone live at the Post office if you need to in order to discuss your claim or situation.  You do not have that option with the 3rd party service and keeping track of what they exclude, actually cover is not worth my time or effort.  If I expend the dollars on my own, I want the ability to have coverage should the need arise.

You can always choose to not buy it - you still have insurance - it's called "self-insurance".  🙂

[nuclearomen]

They have, last year they started to make it harder. It's particularly harder for sellers on platforms purchasing postage through platform, they want the original USPS receipt - I was able to by-pass that by giving a pdf of the postage receipt email from ebay, pdf of the order where states the ship cost, and a pdf of the USPS acceptance receipt when I dropped package off at the post office (yes, I keep them for 90 days) - all that along with pdf's of the sale from managed payments. They did send me a check, like said took 3 months but did get one eventually. 

[nuclearomen]

I wasn't "totally" honest - purchase insurance for more expensive items - AND - the one time of the year it's absolutely mandatory to have insurance on ALL packages - DECEMBER > XMAS - yes, because the carriers are swamped that time of year, especially USPS - and aside from it getting worse every year - they have habit of taking policy to not scan packages during their extreme busy times between facilities. But other wise - no, I don't purchase insurance. 

[downunder-61]

I read here that USPS is one of the best - the delays could be caused with a larger number of claims due to COVID, and at least you are getting your refund even though it takes a while.

Shipcover, by all accounts has has abysmal record

[katzrul15]

Is this a "shipping" test?  Lol

[nuclearomen]

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@katzrul15 wrote:

Is this a "shipping" test?  Lol

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do you want it to be? I'll make some calls see if Dr. Phil is available 🤣

[calgal19572014]

Lately USPS has been trying to find excuses not to pay my claims. I had a couple items arrive damaged over the last 6 months. (I had packed both items very carefully)  Both times they denied for more info. When I submitted the info they still denied it so it was a waste of my time. I never had a problem with them before, they would always send me a check. Going forward on the rare occasion I need to purchase additional insurance for a pricier item I will use Ship Cover. I haven't heard anyone having problems with them.