02-06-2017 02:27 PM
A few days ago there was a VERY long Thread in which many posters advised a new seller to obtain insurance on some of her transactions. Several posters said this would protect her when an item was damaged in transit.And that the seller would not lose her money.
But will it actually do so? As far as I know---the PO will often say that the BUYER must cooperate with this type of claim---and will have to take the item in to his local PO branch----to be inspected. BUT Ebay does NOT require buyers to do this---and of course many refuse to cooperate.
So--why all that advice? Has Ebay changed their policies? Has the Post Office changed THEIR policies?
Does anyone on this Board have the very latest info on this subject?
Solved! Go to Best Answer
02-06-2017 03:33 PM
Some eBay sellers use eBay's default 3rd party insurance -- which is not marked on the package and not applicable to USPS or any other carrier. In this case, the seller should file an immediate online claim with the actual insurer, preferably with photos that clearly show physical damage and the packaging. The insurer may deny compensation based on inadequate packaging, especially for breakable items. The insurer also may deny coverage for breakable items.
USPS has a similar procedure but may ask that the recipient present the packaging and contents to USPS for examination. The seller always should designate the SELLER as the one to be reimbursed. Approved or denied, the seller still has to pay out a refund to the buyer and then wait for a decision.
USPS Priority Mail "included" insurance of $50 (or $100) does NOT apply to damage to hazmat, liquids, perishables or fragile items. If you answer "yes" to any of these categories, you cannot file a damage claim. The tracking record is marked "restricted insurance" -- which means coverage for a package lost in the mail and not delivered. Paid insurance -- an extra fee -- may allow a damage claim depending on the package contents and appropriate packaging.
In the case of total loss (not delivered), USPS and other insurers may ask the addressee to sign an affidavit to that effect. Damage claims also involve paperwork, either in person or via mail.
UPS and FedEx hybrids (last mile delivery via USPS) usually blame each other for damage and neither will pay a claim.
UPS and FedEx will pay claims for total loss (ground or air shipments) and may pay damage claims subject to a long list of exceptions. For example, UPS does not cover breakables (such as dishes), antiques and artwork.
Bottom line: Obtain your insurer's or carrier's written "waiver" list so you'll know their rules.
~~C~~
02-06-2017 02:30 PM
02-06-2017 02:31 PM
And here is another blue's reply from October.
02-06-2017 02:34 PM
The only value I see in insurance is if the package is totally lost by the post office, i.e. plane crash, lost in fire, etc. It has never happened to me. I suggested once to a buyer about the claim procedure and they just wanted a replacement or their money back from me.
02-06-2017 02:37 PM
Insurance is not for the buyer, it is for the seller. You will be refunding your buyer, but if it is truly carrier damage, the carrier reimburses you. Most buyers are honest and very cooperative in my practice.
02-06-2017 02:41 PM
Policies haven't changed. Either party can file the online insurance claim; the form has a checkbox to indicate whether it's being filed by the sender or recipient. And the DMM has a specific policy about what they do if both parties file.
The seller should ask the buyer to retain the damaged item and the packaging in case their local PO wants to inspect it as part of the claim process. Of course neither the seller nor eBay nor USPS can force the buyer (recipient) to cooperate.
02-06-2017 02:59 PM
BAGGS..
Well I attempted several times to figure out what Heidi actually said, She seemed to contradict hersef seeveral times, At one point sh talked about Ebay's intention to protect sellers who had insurance on their items. But in the end she talked about how sellers should accept a return---and refund in full.
So it sure looks to me like nothing has changed.And insurance will only protect the seller on SOME occasions.
02-06-2017 03:01 PM
Could very well be. And would love to see what they said tested. Will post back if I hear anything else.
02-06-2017 03:14 PM
Insurance doesn't get paid out just because the item is damaged in shipping. The carrier has the right to evaluate how the item was packed. If they decide that the seller's packing was inadequate, they can refuse to pay out, since it's the seller's fault the package didn't stand up to the shipping process.
It's in the carrier's best (monetary) interest to declare the packing was inadequate.
02-06-2017 03:33 PM
Some eBay sellers use eBay's default 3rd party insurance -- which is not marked on the package and not applicable to USPS or any other carrier. In this case, the seller should file an immediate online claim with the actual insurer, preferably with photos that clearly show physical damage and the packaging. The insurer may deny compensation based on inadequate packaging, especially for breakable items. The insurer also may deny coverage for breakable items.
USPS has a similar procedure but may ask that the recipient present the packaging and contents to USPS for examination. The seller always should designate the SELLER as the one to be reimbursed. Approved or denied, the seller still has to pay out a refund to the buyer and then wait for a decision.
USPS Priority Mail "included" insurance of $50 (or $100) does NOT apply to damage to hazmat, liquids, perishables or fragile items. If you answer "yes" to any of these categories, you cannot file a damage claim. The tracking record is marked "restricted insurance" -- which means coverage for a package lost in the mail and not delivered. Paid insurance -- an extra fee -- may allow a damage claim depending on the package contents and appropriate packaging.
In the case of total loss (not delivered), USPS and other insurers may ask the addressee to sign an affidavit to that effect. Damage claims also involve paperwork, either in person or via mail.
UPS and FedEx hybrids (last mile delivery via USPS) usually blame each other for damage and neither will pay a claim.
UPS and FedEx will pay claims for total loss (ground or air shipments) and may pay damage claims subject to a long list of exceptions. For example, UPS does not cover breakables (such as dishes), antiques and artwork.
Bottom line: Obtain your insurer's or carrier's written "waiver" list so you'll know their rules.
~~C~~
02-06-2017 04:09 PM
@duchess-at-speakeasy wrote:USPS Priority Mail "included" insurance of $50 (or $100) does NOT apply to damage to hazmat, liquids, perishables or fragile items. If you answer "yes" to any of these categories, you cannot file a damage claim. The tracking record is marked "restricted insurance" -- which means coverage for a package lost in the mail and not delivered. Paid insurance -- an extra fee -- may allow a damage claim depending on the package contents and appropriate packaging.
~~C~~
I haven't seen that question for any of my priority shipments. I've had the included insurance pay off on one of my shipments of a fragile item.
02-06-2017 04:38 PM
QUILT.. And yes as you pointed out--- another reason why insurance is just not very reliable --- is because the shippping company can turn down any claim and blame it on poor packing. Which they often do.
02-06-2017 04:50 PM
DUCHESS,
Thank you for rsponding. I know you are always up to date on these kinds of Policies and rules.
02-06-2017 06:16 PM
I was left more confused than anything by a thread from late December/early January. Even though I don't sell, I like to know the polices if I can, and I might want to list something one day.
It sounds like there is an unwritten policy where if a buyer refuses to participate in an insurance claim and the seller loses the claim because of that, the seller will be compensated by eBay after the buyer has been refunded by the seller.
I wish someone who has been compensated after a refusal would post something about it, to prove it's really going on. I can't imagine eBay willingly dishing out what must be a ton of money for compensations.
What can eBay do to enforce a supposed required participation policy after a buyer has been refunded?
02-06-2017 08:14 PM
@duchess-at-speakeasy wrote:USPS Priority Mail "included" insurance of $50 (or $100) does NOT apply to damage to hazmat, liquids, perishables or fragile items. If you answer "yes" to any of these categories, you cannot file a damage claim.
It would be helpful if you could point us to an on-line USPS cite for that. You made the same claim last year (here) but the USPS members here did not agree, nor have we heard from anyone whose claim was denied on that basis.