Question about gun shipping charges

[OH Osthaus]

just shipped a 10 - so not light - USPS $44

[wayne goerres]

Most of the larger ffl have private insurance so they don't pay the high prices we pay to ship. I would like to know how it got to be that we had to have insurance to cover there negligence.

[J. A. EARLY]

I have insurance through Jack Richardson, Eastern Insurance, so I am covered for losses, repair of damages, etc. when shipping or receiving. So the policy is usually mostly paid for by not having to buy overpriced insurance. I just keep the receipt for the shipping of the item. I've not lost anything (yet).

Eastern is the cheapest and best insurance I have found.

[Phil C]

I second what Jerry stated. I always ship USPS Priority mail, with a signature required. Pack well, and no additional insurance.
Eastern insurance is great with a low $250 deductible. With our PGCA discount a little over $300 for 100K per year. I figure I save close to this in shipping insurance each year.

[Mike McKinney]

Tell us about the PGCA discount, I think I missed that.

[Phil C]

Jack gives members a 5% discount on their insurance policy.

[Bill Anderson]

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

[William Davis]

Insurance from the carrier is never a good deal risk coverage or cost. Insurance sales high profit item with carriers. All larger shippers carry separate policy's to cover loss. Today most transport covers multiple modes different owners , truck to air or rail back to truck and owned by 3rd parties not the carrier you left the parcel with. Something goes wrong getting paid is not easy. UPS may pay you, after they settle the claim with the railroad or truck who lost the package.

Exception is USPS, multiple modes, the same as private carriers, loss payment much better. And stealing from the Post Office is a federal offense aggressively prosecuted. No matter who you ship with best defense is good packing.

William

[Phil Yearout]

Originally Posted by William Davis

...No matter who you ship with best defense is good packing. William

Good packing isn't much of a defense against loss or theft.

[Bill Anderson]

Originally Posted by Phil Yearout

Good packing isn't much of a defense against loss or theft.

In 15 years or so, hundreds of guns, I have never had a theft or loss. Sounds like something an insurance company or identity theft company would use for "come on" to purchase coverage. Also, theft is really a very over rated fear. If I were a Fedex or UPS driver, how would I know which package is worth the risk and consequences of stealing it?

Bill