I have shipped hundreds of guns over the years with shipping FedEx & UPS rates between $18 to $25 with gun values up to $30,000. I never buy insurance, just pack very well in good heavy cardboard boxes. Also keep the boxes under 48" in length. Never had a problem. I spend my money on packing materials, not fattening carrier wallets. Just shipped a gun yesterday, 48 x 12 x 4, weighing 11 lb for $18. I calculate that I have saved upwards of $18,000 in shipping rates, over the last 15 years, by not buying insurance and keeping my shipping carton from getting too large, especially in length. What brought me to the "no insurance" approach was right after I started heavy into gun collectiing, I recalled that I have seen hundreds of packages, in my lifetime, arrive without harm or being lost, through various carriers. So I decided shipping guns should have the same results if done correctly. Also, I have read that carriers have rather small limits on what they will pay on a gun claim. So, you may be buying insurance for $8000, but may only receive a fraction of that in a claim. Maybe even $0 on a claim, if the inspector decides that the shipping materials were not enough to protect the gun properly. But again, if you only ship a gun or two a year, well, go ahead and buy the insurance if you like. I am sure the carrier will deeply appreciate the extra cash you are putting in their pockets.
Bill
|