Insurance, anyone?

[epsilon_publishing]

Shipped an item, an expensive item, via Fedex, and checked the insurance tab. I wanted to insure for $2500, but the most they will accept is $1000, so I checked that. 

The worst happened and the buyer (so he says) got a damaged antique ( an old Regina music box). I thought I had packed it securely, I used styrofoam on all six sides. After I got it back from the buyer, it was literally, in pieces. 

Filed claim with Fedex. They refunded the shipping - $150 - but said it was not insured. Fedex said neither they nor Ebay show no record of insurance.

All In know is, I checked the "insurance" box on the ebay/Fedex shipping form page, so I thought it was insured. I did not receive a form, or an email, or any verification, saying "this is your insurance certificate." 

My question is, how do you know, what proof can you get, that your item is really insured with Fedex? Is it on the shipping label? 

[postingid2017]

Was it your FedEx Account or eBay's FedEx account? 

[epsilon_publishing]

I shipped it through Ebay.

[midmodgroovy]

The exact same thing happened to me this week. I bought a FedEx label through the ebay shipping app and clicked the add insurance tab for $750 of insurance. The package was destroyed and when I went to FedEx to make a claim, they said I didn't purchase insurance and would only pay $100. ebay also said they had no record that I had purchased insurance, but I'm sure I did. I think the ebay shipping app has a problem. Then I went back to my ebay invoices for the past 4 months and none of the invoices for FedEx labels showed that I had purchased insurance when I thought I had for every label I purchased. I didn't notice this problem until I had to make a claim this week and suddenly I don't have any insurance. 

[orangehound]

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@epsilon_publishing wrote:

My question is, how do you know, what proof can you get, that your item is really insured with Fedex? Is it on the shipping label? 

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If you go to your Labels Page, and find your item, you can click on the FedEx charge to see what you paid for ... if you purchased insurance, it will show you the price paid for the insurance (if you bought it).  If no charges for insurance are listed, then you have the $100 default insurance.

[utilac]

I have a problem with FedEx also. Shipped an enamel cast iron pot. Chose FedEx shipping. Packed it very well with styrofoam, etc. Buyer got the pot and it was damaged. One of the handles was broken. Seriously. A cast iron handle broken off. Contacted FedEx. "We subcontracted with USPS. Since they delivered the package you will have to file a claim with them." Contacted USPS: "You didn't purchase insurance with us, so you can't file a claim" Called eBay. "Just have the buyer return the item. Since the item was damaged in shipping, your Seller Protection will kick in so we will refund them and you won't have to" Got the item today. Called eBay back. "You can issue the buyer a full refund, or try to see if they will accept a partial refund."
Uh the other guy said my Seller Protection would have you issue the refund so I don't have to lose money due to messed up shipping.
"I don't see any record of that. You can issue the buyer a full refund, or try to see if they will accept a partial refund."
So now I am screwed. Seems that FedEx has a pretty good scam going on with eBay so they don't have to actually cover anything.

[frodobagginskennedy]

You have no seller protection of what the first csr told you.  

I always purchase insurance through Shipsurance in lieu of depending on fedex.  However the one time I did have to file with FedEx it was granted immediately.

[orangehound]

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@utilac wrote:

Called eBay. "Just have the buyer return the item. Since the item was damaged in shipping, your Seller Protection will kick in so we will refund them and you won't have to"

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This is incorrect.  eBay customer service is poorly trained, and we often see examples where they give out incorrect advice.

If you shipped internationally using the Global Shipping Program, then you would not be responsible for shipping damage ... otherwise, you are.

[weyland_pubs]

Purchased a Fedex Home Delivery label with insurance:

Called Ebay and asked how do I get confirmation that I have insurance? They said that I have to go to the Fedex website or call them. 

Went to the Fedex site, tracking info is available, that's all. Called Fedex, they said that Ebay would have the insurance information, since they are "the shipper". Gee, and here I thought FEDEX was the shipper.  When I told Snowflake that Ebay said that Fedex should have the insurance information, and Fedex says Ebay should have that info, and that it would be nice if the Ebay database communicated with the Fedex database she said, "Well, yeah, I don't know what to say... but have a nice day! "   

So I have no insurance even though I paid for it, and Fedex can tell you anything they like, since they have no info - they can deny a claim (with validity since they have no documents proving otherwise) and say there was "no declared value" or they can say "you have no insurance" or "your package was hijacked by ISIL" or "your parcel was swallowed up Hurricane Dorian"  and Fedex/Ebay are not responsible for that... 

Went to the Post Office to drop off some other packages, told my tale of woe and the postmaster said, "See? that's why you should ship with us!" She has a point...

[no_zero369]

I guess if it is critical, use the third party insurance offering.  I quit eBay labels when they messed up the shipping page, but the old page had a section where you could buy the Ebay insurance or select another option.  No idea if this is still around on the new page.

[oldwestgold]

I was told by my UPS driver that UPS denies all claims the first time no matter what.  This saves them a ton of money because most people do not file an appeal or second round claim.  I surmise FedEx does the same thing.  Just a terrible way to do business in anyone's opinion. I have found the USPS does not practice this bad habit.