Insurance for custom knives - what's your experience?

Kevin Jones said:
Identifying that the package is 'insured' has always concerned me a little as it informs everyone that it's contents are of value perhaps even increasing risk of theft.
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I had the same thought. However, someone told me that if you buy any level of insurance over the included $50, the package receives special handling by USPO. According to this person, the Postmaster signs off or inspects the package because they don't want to pay any claims. I don't know if its true but based on this, I still add $10-$20 of insurance for a few dollars just to get the special handling and extra care. It could protect against losing the package but you may be right that it increases temptation for theft. I don't think $70 package would tempt most thieves. So far, I have yet to have a package lost or stolen, but I also can't say I'm a high volume shipper like makers and dealers here.
 
mwschilling said:
I had the same thought. However, someone told me that if you buy any level of insurance over the included $50, the package receives special handling by USPO. According to this person, the Postmaster signs off or inspects the package because they don't want to pay any claims. I don't know if its true but based on this, I still add $10-$20 of insurance for a few dollars just to get the special handling and extra care. It could protect against losing the package but you may be right that it increases temptation for theft. I don't think $70 package would tempt most thieves. So far, I have yet to have a package lost or stolen, but I also can't say I'm a high volume shipper like makers and dealers here.
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That is what I was told also, and the last guy signing for it, is responsible for it. Some how?
I had a couple knives take a while to show up, but I think they were sent on around the world on a cruise, before being delivered to Virginia.
 
Don Hanson III said:
It's also nearly impossible to get USPS to pay a claim.
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Agreed, that's why I only buy enough to get special handling and rely on other insurance to pay claim.

Insurance is certainly worth having but at the end of the day, even a fistful of dollars won't get you a replacement for your stolen masterpiece without extended wait.

What we really need is a Don Hanson "front of the line replacement" policy, issued by the Hanson Ins company. :) This is coming from someone who currently has Don and Kyle Hanson knives with Caleb Royer and about to be back in the hands of our USPS for return shipping. I'm calling my ins agent to inquire.
 
So in the scenario that I purchase insurance from Collectable Insurance Services. Then purchase knife from a make who then sends it to say a sheath maker in TX. The knife and sheath end up headed to take pictures and eventually arrive safe and sound with me. Was the knife and sheath covered for the entirety of their respective journey?
 
All I use is USPS, in many years I've only had 1 claim for a lost package and they paid right up. I always ship PRIORITY EXPRESS MAIL with insurance for full amount, usually delivers 99% of the time next day in the USA, and if the package isn't delivered by a guaranteed time for that day you get a full refund, this has happened to me 2 times, even though the packages were delivered 1 hour late they reimbursed me the full shipping charges.
My wife also uses USPS and she had 1 package opened with the contents stolen, package resealed and delivered to her customer. She filed a claim, filled out the paper work and they paid right up.
I'm not saying the USPS is the best but they have always done us a good job.

Bill
 
gga357 said:
So in the scenario that I purchase insurance from Collectable Insurance Services. Then purchase knife from a make who then sends it to say a sheath maker in TX. The knife and sheath end up headed to take pictures and eventually arrive safe and sound with me. Was the knife and sheath covered for the entirety of their respective journey?
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Greg, the best answer to this should come from your insurance carrier, but I believe the answer is yes, IF each of the shippers conformed to the parameters set out by your insurance carrier eg. Signature confirmation etc.

Paul
 
mwschilling said:
Agreed, that's why I only buy enough to get special handling and rely on other insurance to pay claim.

Insurance is certainly worth having but at the end of the day, even a fistful of dollars won't get you a replacement for your stolen masterpiece without extended wait.

What we really need is a Don Hanson "front of the line replacement" policy, issued by the Hanson Ins company. :) This is coming from someone who currently has Don and Kyle Hanson knives with Caleb Royer and about to be back in the hands of our USPS for return shipping. I'm calling my ins agent to inquire.
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That's funny Mark... :cool:
 
B . Buxton said:
All I use is USPS, in many years I've only had 1 claim for a lost package and they paid right up. I always ship PRIORITY EXPRESS MAIL with insurance for full amount, usually delivers 99% of the time next day in the USA, and if the package isn't delivered by a guaranteed time for that day you get a full refund, this has happened to me 2 times, even though the packages were delivered 1 hour late they reimbursed me the full shipping charges.
My wife also uses USPS and she had 1 package opened with the contents stolen, package resealed and delivered to her customer. She filed a claim, filled out the paper work and they paid right up.
I'm not saying the USPS is the best but they have always done us a good job.

Bill
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Bill, I guess you are one of the lucky ones. I've heard too many horror storys from guys with denied claims. But I am a huge fan of the Post Office and have been using them exclusively for 25 years. I just don't use their insurance...
 
sheathmaker said:
Greg, the best answer to this should come from your insurance carrier, but I believe the answer is yes, IF each of the shippers conformed to the parameters set out by your insurance carrier eg. Signature confirmation etc.

Paul
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Thanks Paul. I am waiting for a call from CIA.

Also thank you for the voice message. I will wait in a holding pattern until I get more news. I think I will wait on sending the studs till I hear more.
 
mwschilling said:
Insurance is certainly worth having but at the end of the day, even a fistful of dollars won't get you a replacement for your stolen masterpiece without extended wait.

What we really need is a Don Hanson "front of the line replacement" policy, issued by the Hanson Ins company. :)
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I had a special order Jay Hendrickson Hunter stolen from my checked luggage while returning from an ABS Reno show where I took delivery of the knife. He went right to work and made me a 'Bowie' version of the original knife so if the stolen knife was recovered i would a Hunter/Bowie set rather than two like Hunters. A fine gesture on his part.
 
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