Fedex Warning: $100 Limit Insurance on Ground


When I went to Fedex today, I was told that there is a new policy. Any electronics or computer equipment sent ground will only be insured up to $100.

I was ready to go into convulsions! The reason I was given is that there have been "too many claims and losses" so that is what they decided to do.

So, the lower shipping prices of Fedex Ground over UPS Ground are now useless. I find it amazing that they could even legally deny insurance on expensive items.

Considering that their ground treatment of packages was really no better than UPS, I can see why they had so many losses. I certainly hope UPS doesn't follow suit, and do the same.

Now, not only do our packages receive abuse from the shippers, so do we...
saxo
I had a Fedex claim this summer that was paid promptly with no fuss. It was only for $65 (the repair costs). There was an apology letter with the check.

A long time ago I also had a UPS claim that was promply paid in full. It was a package that was lost in transit; so they had no defense. I made out well, because it was a one year old laptop computer being sent in for a free warranty repair. Of course in a years time, the new laptop the insurance money purchased, was a pretty good upgrade over the one that was lost.

So believe it or not, there is sometimes a happy ending.

I have had other minor shipping damage in the past that I decided to ignore.
I recently went to one of those 2nd party shippers(Mail Boxes) and they would not ship Fed EX Ground because of all the damage claims.
Ground is always riskier than air shipment. All valuable electronics should be double boxed with cushioning material between inner and outer boxes. You're a fool not to do this. Extra boxes can be found at larger office supply stores (Staples, Office Max, etc.), as well as storage centers, moving companies, etc..

My experience as someone who uses shipping service professionally and frequently, is that Fed Ex Ground seems to arrive with boxes in better condition than UPS. Quite consistantly, I've found UPS packages to arrive with very large bashes, tears, and holes knocked hard into the box.

Jeff Delman
Value Audio
www.value-audio.com
I hope your FedEx Ground rep was just hopelessly misinformed, as is typical of that company. My Ground rep is unaware of this new "policy." I am sure they have had lots of claims because they have been doing LOTS of damage, see the many threads on this subject in the last couple of months. I just collected $700 from them for destroying some speakers coming from Canada. After their initial blanket denial, I sent them photos of the damaged box and speaker and right away I received a check for the insured amount that the shipper had paid. If they start limiting themselves to $100 liability, the only thing that will be shipped Ground is a paper letter or magazine. And even then, they may arrive all ripped up and water-damaged.
Please let us know if your rep still insists on this unheard-of policy.
I was told that the 100 clams insurance was all that is INCLUDED in the quoted shipping rate for the parcel. Extra insurance IS available at an ADDITIONAL cost.