Final verdict needed on Priority Mail free insurance please

[modulok!]

Concerning the free automatic insurance that is supposedly added to USPS Priority Mail packages, who has actual experience with this.  My question...is the $50 ($100 for trs+) actually automatically added to your package or do you have to check the add insurance box when creating the shipping label?  I only ask this becasue I am seeing very conflicting threads on here.  Some people are saying that when they tried to make a claim on a Priority Mail package the USPS is saying that there was not insurance on the package and the claim is denied (most recent thread is currently on the shipping board now).  Anybody have any actual experience with this?

[rixstuff]

I never have done anything other than make sure it was USPS selected and I have had to use it about a half dozen times.  One claim prompted the PO to actually find the lost item and send it to me rather than pay me for it.  But I learned from years back to make sure that it was USPS not Shipshurance or some other company.

[pvcliff]

Nothing like freaking me out on a Tuesday afternoon! I just went to the shipping board and it does seem like the general consensus is to choose the insurance option. I have NEVER done this in six years of selling, and always expected I was covered using eBay PM labels. But then again I have never had to file a damage claim on an item either. I'm interested in hearing more answers on this too.

[hawgryders]

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@modulok! wrote:

Concerning the free automatic insurance that is supposedly added to USPS Priority Mail packages, who has actual experience with this.  My question...is the $50 ($100 for trs+) actually automatically added to your package or do you have to check the add insurance box when creating the shipping label?  I only ask this becasue I am seeing very conflicting threads on here.  Some people are saying that when they tried to make a claim on a Priority Mail package the USPS is saying that there was not insurance on the package and the claim is denied (most recent thread is currently on the shipping board now).  Anybody have any actual experience with this?

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It is automatic --- included by the USPS as a "perk"

The reason you have seen conflicting threads here is because some folks are so "anti-eBay" they will create whatever **bleep** necessary to complain ...

[rixstuff]

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@pvcliff wrote:

Nothing like freaking me out on a Tuesday afternoon! I just went to the shipping board and it does seem like the general consensus is to choose the insurance option. I have NEVER done this in six years of selling, and always expected I was covered using eBay PM labels. But then again I have never had to file a damage claim on an item either. I'm interested in hearing more answers on this too.

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Covered by EBAY labels - what about USPS LABELS?!  What is there a special rule $50 included UNLESS you buy it on Ebay and then only if you clicked a box you didnt know about before hand?  So all other USPS customers get insurance but we get screwed?  Maybe we should buy our labels on Paypal - WHERE IT FOR SURE IS INCLUDED!

[dhbookds]

If you go to USPS page.......you see that insurance is included on priority so it doesn't need to be included (checked)......use that only if you want additional insurance above the amt covered....  I've had 1 insurance claim a year or so ago and was paid and did NOT check off the insurance box. 

[modulok!]

So I just tried to create a Priority Mail label for an Ebay purchase and if I don't physically check the add insurance box, it doesn't show that free insurance was added automatically to the label.  Only after I check the add insurance box does it show that insurance has been added.  I really think you need to check the box or insurance isn't added to Priority Mail.  Not very automatic in my opinion.  Either I am very confused (which is often the case I'll admit) or I was mistakenly under the impression that all the Eaby labeled Priority Mail packages I've sent had USPS insurance added to them automatically.  Shocking to say the least.

[kim_y_buran]

It's added automatically.  I had to use it once,  it works.

[rixstuff]

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@dhbookds wrote:

If you go to USPS page.......you see that insurance is included on priority so it doesn't need to be included (checked)......use that only if you want additional insurance above the amt covered....  I've had 1 insurance claim a year or so ago and was paid and did NOT check off the insurance box. 

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Yes one of mine was a $65 item and the insurance only covered up to the $50.  I had to just suck up the other $15 but it wasnt a total loss.  I didnt even think about the EXTRA insurance over $50.

[pvcliff]

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@rixstuff wrote:

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Yes one of mine was a $65 item and the insurance only covered up to the $50.  I had to just suck up the other $15 but it wasnt a total loss.  I didnt even think about the EXTRA insurance over $50.

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Count me as hoping I never have to explain to USPS that I got free $50 insurance and see here where I bought an extra $15, so you owe me the full $65.

[couldabeenworse]

It is automatic; however if you try to file the claim at your post office, the clerk may not know how to find it.  If you file the online insurance claim, entering the tracking number automatically pulls up the insurance.

[nawlinsron2]

No need to add insurance unless the $50 or $100 isn't enough.
I sell golf clubs...2 got broke this year. Had the buyer send me pix of the label and the damage.
Submitted the pix with the claim...got a check in about 10 days for both.
It's squirrely on original postage refund...sometimes they add it to the claim, sometimes not.
Doesn't hurt to ask.

[couldabeenworse]

It's squirrely on original postage refund...sometimes they add it to the claim, sometimes not.
Doesn't hurt to ask.

Officially, insurance now only covers postage on lost parcels, not on damage.

[rixstuff]

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@couldabeenworse wrote:

It's squirrely on original postage refund...sometimes they add it to the claim, sometimes not.
Doesn't hurt to ask.

Officially, insurance now only covers postage on lost parcels, not on damage.

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Oh contraire! I had a package that looked like it was run over by a truck and got paid for it without any discussion.  Took it right to the PO and the clerk never said a word just took it and scanned it.  Boom claim done.

[couldabeenworse]

Oh contraire! I had a package that looked like it was run over by a truck and got paid for it without any discussion.  Took it right to the PO and the clerk never said a word just took it and scanned it.  Boom claim done.

Never hurts to try, but postage has not been officially covered on damaged parcels for about a year.