Knowing If You Have Insurance or Not

[greatpricesyep]

Hi, most experienced sellers know this, but others like me are discovering things on the fly.  In my case, I knew with USPS Parcel Select that you did not have insurance automatically.  Later, I learned that USPS Media Mail does have insurance automatically.  I erroneously assumed that USPS First Class Mail had insurance automatically and in fact when you Google this question, you can get answers like this:

About 12,500,000 results (0.73 seconds)

Is First Class Mail Insured? Yes. All letters or parcels sent through First Class Mail are insured against loss or damage.Mar 16, 2020

The above is FALSE. 

The below link has it right:

https://support.shippingeasy.com/hc/en-us/articles/203082859-USPS-Insurance-Coverage-Included-with-S...

The USPS website has the same information, but it is not presented as clearly (no surprise there):

https://www.usps.com/ship/insurance-extra-services.htm

I'm sharing this so folks don't realize after the fact that an item sold arrived damaged and you have no recourse with the USPS.  Sellers who sell as more than a hobby need to be USPS experts for sure.

[southern*sweet*tea]

I Googled "what packages does USPS automatically insure" and this was the first result:

https://about.usps.com/publications/pub122/pub122_v07_revision_092016_002.htm

The Postal Service includes insurance for the following items:

Priority Mail Express service, which includes up to $100 insurance. (See the Note below.)
Priority Mail service, which includes up to $50 insurance for most retail packages, and $100 insurance for most commercial packages. (See the Note below.)

Not sure what the source URL is for your result, but it's definitely wrong.

[greatpricesyep]

---

@southern*sweet*tea wrote:

I Googled "what packages does USPS automatically insure" and this was the first result:

https://about.usps.com/publications/pub122/pub122_v07_revision_092016_002.htm

The Postal Service includes insurance for the following items:

Priority Mail Express service, which includes up to $100 insurance. (See the Note below.)
Priority Mail service, which includes up to $50 insurance for most retail packages, and $100 insurance for most commercial packages. (See the Note below.)

Not sure what the source URL is for your result, but it's definitely wrong.

---

If you google this phrase:

"do usps first class mail have insurance"

This is the result comes up on top:

The website link right below that contains the erroneous information:

https://www.easyship.com/blog/first-class-mail-insurance

Inside of this it has detail WRONG information such as this:

As a savvy online retailer, you probably already know that insurance gives you peace of mind when sending packages out to your customers. Having this “just in case” coverage ensures you’re covered if your packages go missing or get damaged. Most courier services offer some type of protection, but First Class Mail insurance gives you a little something extra. Here’s what you need to know about how this particular service covers you, its limitations and costs, and how to file for claims should the need arise.

Is First Class Mail Insured?

Yes. All letters or parcels sent through First Class Mail are insured against loss or damage.

FALSE!

[luckythewinner]

---

@greatpricesyep wrote:

Later, I learned that USPS Media Mail does have insurance automatically. 

---

Where does the USPS website say that Media Mail has insurance automatically? The link you posted from the USPS site specifically says that insurance is available for media mail, not included.

https://www.usps.com/ship/insurance-extra-services.htm

[greatpricesyep]

---

@luckythewinner wrote:

---

@greatpricesyep wrote:

Later, I learned that USPS Media Mail does have insurance automatically. 

---

Where does the USPS website say that Media Mail has insurance automatically? The link you posted from the USPS site specifically says that insurance is available for media mail, not included.

https://www.usps.com/ship/insurance-extra-services.htm

---

Sorry typo I meant does NOT, but it seems that I can't EDIT my original post.

[luckythewinner]

---

@greatpricesyep wrote:
Sorry typo I meant does NOT, but it seems that I can't EDIT my original post.

---

No problem, happens to us all.

But typo aside, what was it that originally made you think media mail did have insurance? 

I don't think sellers need to be experts on the USPS, I think they just need to be sensible about where they get information about the USPS. 

Because if they believe anything google spits back at them about the USPS regardless of the source, they will have an issue with everything about eBay, not just shipping. 

[greatpricesyep]

---

@luckythewinner wrote:

---

@greatpricesyep wrote:
Sorry typo I meant does NOT, but it seems that I can't EDIT my original post.

---

No problem, happens to us all.

But typo aside, what was it that originally made you think media mail did have insurance? 

I don't think sellers need to be experts on the USPS, I think they just need to be sensible about where they get information about the USPS. 

Because if they believe anything google spits back at them about the USPS regardless of the source, they will have an issue with everything about eBay, not just shipping. 

---

 Coming from a novice seller, I initially believed everything had a certain level of insurance (say up to $100) and if you needed more you could purchase it.  This is straight up logic.  For Parcel Select, there's signs everywhere saying NO INSURANCE is provided so that was easy to know.  Media Mail was less obvious.  The fact that insurance is included in Priority Mail was also obvious, but the difference between First Class Mail and Priority Mail is not obvious. 

Regarding googling for information, I mean cripes the TOP answer was wrong!  **bleep**.  Yes, everything on google should be questioned, but you would think a website called EASYSHIP would have correct information.  Double **bleep**.

[nobody*s_perfect]

Google doesn't vet the accuracy of every post on the internet. It's just common sense that if you have a question you should stay as close to the original source as possible.  This means that information about postage services should come from USPS, not from a company that sells their postage.

[greatpricesyep]

---

@greatpricesyep wrote:

Hi, most experienced sellers know this, but others like me are discovering things on the fly.  In my case, I knew with USPS Parcel Select that you did not have insurance automatically.  Later, I learned that USPS Media Mail does have insurance automatically.  I erroneously assumed that USPS First Class Mail had insurance automatically and in fact when you Google this question, you can get answers like this:

Hi, I'm sending this reply to my own post, because Ebay does not allow you to edit original posts nor delete them!  My post should have read:

Later, I learned that USPS Media Mail does NOT have insurance automatically. 

Why does Ebay limit what you can do on their boards?  I have a feeling it is because they have an innate distrust of sellers.  Perhaps they think you could manipulate people if you post something then switch the original post to be something else.  Anyway, it's a dumb rule.

[greatpricesyep]

---

@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

Google doesn't vet the accuracy of every post on the internet. It's just common sense that if you have a question you should stay as close to the original source as possible.  This means that information about postage services should come from USPS, not from a company that sells their postage.

---

I know, but their top answer!  **bleep**.  Btw, where is it on google a disclaimer about their search results?  Yes, it would be common sense to not assume that every result is verifiably correct, but at least they should have a disclaimer somewhere.  Or, perhaps, like on Twitter some fact check mark.

[regren42]

---

@greatpricesyep wrote:

---

@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

Google doesn't vet the accuracy of every post on the internet. It's just common sense that if you have a question you should stay as close to the original source as possible.  This means that information about postage services should come from USPS, not from a company that sells their postage.

---

I know, but their top answer!  **bleep**.  Btw, where is it on google a disclaimer about their search results?  Yes, it would be common sense to not assume that every result is verifiably correct, but at least they should have a disclaimer somewhere.  Or, perhaps, like on Twitter some fact check mark.

---

They assume you have common sense, but obviously, they make wrong assumptions

[greatpricesyep]

---

@regren42 wrote:

---

@greatpricesyep wrote:

---

@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

Google doesn't vet the accuracy of every post on the internet. It's just common sense that if you have a question you should stay as close to the original source as possible.  This means that information about postage services should come from USPS, not from a company that sells their postage.

---

I know, but their top answer!  **bleep**.  Btw, where is it on google a disclaimer about their search results?  Yes, it would be common sense to not assume that every result is verifiably correct, but at least they should have a disclaimer somewhere.  Or, perhaps, like on Twitter some fact check mark.

---

They assume you have common sense, but obviously, they make wrong assumptions

---

What does common sense have to do with statements made on legitimate websites that are wrong?  If you are implying that it is always the fault of the person receiving the information from Google, you miss the point completely.  It must be great being perfect and so well versed in all topics that you can judge the accuracy of all content you see.  I started this post to help people understand USPS insurance policy better.

[johnrj1226]

BTW - Yes you can edit your post to make corrections but there is a time limit after you send your post like maybe a minute or two.  Always best to proofread your post before sending.  Do like a good wood worker does - "measure twice and cut once".

FYI you can send a follow up message and make corrections after you edit time has expired.  I and others do this.

[regren42]

@greatpricesyep wrote:

---

@regren42 wrote:

---

@greatpricesyep wrote:

---

@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

Google doesn't vet the accuracy of every post on the internet. It's just common sense that if you have a question you should stay as close to the original source as possible.  This means that information about postage services should come from USPS, not from a company that sells their postage.

---

I know, but their top answer!  **bleep**.  Btw, where is it on google a disclaimer about their search results?  Yes, it would be common sense to not assume that every result is verifiably correct, but at least they should have a disclaimer somewhere.  Or, perhaps, like on Twitter some fact check mark.

---

They assume you have common sense, but obviously, they make wrong assumptions

---

What does common sense have to do with statements made on legitimate websites that are wrong?  If you are implying that it is always the fault of the person receiving the information from Google, you miss the point completely.  It must be great being perfect and so well versed in all topics that you can judge the accuracy of all content you see.  I started this post to help people understand USPS insurance policy better.

---

Common sense would tell you that you need to check with the USPS not some random website.

[greatpricesyep]

---

@regren42 wrote:

@greatpricesyep wrote:

---

@regren42 wrote:

---

@greatpricesyep wrote:

---

@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

Google doesn't vet the accuracy of every post on the internet. It's just common sense that if you have a question you should stay as close to the original source as possible.  This means that information about postage services should come from USPS, not from a company that sells their postage.

---

I know, but their top answer!  **bleep**.  Btw, where is it on google a disclaimer about their search results?  Yes, it would be common sense to not assume that every result is verifiably correct, but at least they should have a disclaimer somewhere.  Or, perhaps, like on Twitter some fact check mark.

---

They assume you have common sense, but obviously, they make wrong assumptions

---

What does common sense have to do with statements made on legitimate websites that are wrong?  If you are implying that it is always the fault of the person receiving the information from Google, you miss the point completely.  It must be great being perfect and so well versed in all topics that you can judge the accuracy of all content you see.  I started this post to help people understand USPS insurance policy better.

---

Common sense would tell you that you need to check with the USPS not some random website.

---

Right so go create a new post with the title Common Sense so you can bequeath your wisdom on others since  you seem to be the expert on what is what is and is not common sense.  It must be great to be so enlightened.

This was about alerting people to the fact that bad information is out there.  Or, would you rather not see posts like this if they breach your definition of common sense?  Replies like yours signal to others to not post things like this (designed to help others) so they avoid comments from people like you.