Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
The reason for my question is that I found out after paying roughly $12 for Swiss Registered Mail service and $24 for a cover, that the Swiss PO informed me when the item was lost after its initial scan that stamps are not insurable so liability insurance would be voided. I mentioned that the contents was one envelope that happened to have used stamps on it from the 1930s so technically the item was not stamps. Couldn't budge them: Sorry they said, stamps are not insurable. I wrote the knucklehead in Switzerland and he affirmed that stamps were not insurable. So, I asked him why not let me know that before I spent an extra $12? His reply: Stamps are not insurable. Am I being harsh when I suggest this gentleman is a pinhead? I will gladly take upon myself the mantle of misinformed nincompoop. Is there a difference between a pinhead and a nincompoop?
Anyone in other countries besides the US, please chime in about insurance or lack of insurance for stamps sent via Registered Mail service if you know with certainty one way or another.
Bruce
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For registered mail, the declared value is the insured value, up to $25,000.
If you mailed the item in the US, you should contact your post office to file a claim. That is where the insurance was purchased.
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My item was purchased from a seller in Switzerland who mailed it via Registered Mail to me here in USA from Switzerland so it was the Swiss post office that turned down the claim because as stated, Switzerland PO does not provide insurance for stamps whether on cover or not. That is why I am inviting anyone outside the USA, aside from Switzerland, to comment on the rules regarding stamps sent via Registered Mail from their countries.
After that experience, I am also wondering if there is "fine print" in the USA Registered Mail rules also which nullify the insurance portion of the Registered Mail if stamps or covers are mailed from here to another country. If so, the service is basically useless for stamp collectors.
Bruce
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Bruce,
Per Canada Post web site (Registration):
7.2
Liability Coverage
Liability Coverage of up to $60 is included for items mailed to the U.S.A. and to other international destinations.
Canada Post shall have no liability for loss, damage or rifling of Registered Mail (U.S.A. and International) items containing banknotes, stocks, bonds, coupons or other securities negotiable by the bearer, lottery tickets, travellers’ cheques, coins, jewellery, manufactured and non-manufactured precious metals, precious stones, gold bullion, gold dust or cancelled or uncancelled postage stamps. Indemnity may not be claimed for expenses incurred by the sender in submitting the indemnity claim or for the fees paid for the option.
NOTE:
Additional Liability Coverage is not available.
Jacques
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The USPS Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) has this as allowable for claims against insured US mail:
g. Fair market value of stamps and coins of philatelic or numismatic value, as determined by a recognized stamp or coin dealer or current coin and stamp collectors newsletters and trade papers.
The full section is here:
USPS DMM link
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Thanks, Jacques! Enlightening. And you,too Peter for the DMM reference! I wonder how many other countries outside the US besides Canada and Switzerland do not issue insurance for stamps or covers.
Bruce
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Bruce, registered mail means different things in different countries, and not all postal systems honor registered mail from some countries. China is one such country where registered mail is almost like sending regular mail.
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12:13:57pm
I'm curious if anyone knows if US Registered Mail service will actually pay for philatelic items that are lost? The post office folks here in Grand Rapids, Michigan are unable to answer my question with certainty. If you have sources, please cite.
The reason for my question is that I found out after paying roughly $12 for Swiss Registered Mail service and $24 for a cover, that the Swiss PO informed me when the item was lost after its initial scan that stamps are not insurable so liability insurance would be voided. I mentioned that the contents was one envelope that happened to have used stamps on it from the 1930s so technically the item was not stamps. Couldn't budge them: Sorry they said, stamps are not insurable. I wrote the knucklehead in Switzerland and he affirmed that stamps were not insurable. So, I asked him why not let me know that before I spent an extra $12? His reply: Stamps are not insurable. Am I being harsh when I suggest this gentleman is a pinhead? I will gladly take upon myself the mantle of misinformed nincompoop. Is there a difference between a pinhead and a nincompoop?
Anyone in other countries besides the US, please chime in about insurance or lack of insurance for stamps sent via Registered Mail service if you know with certainty one way or another.
Bruce
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re: Does Registered Mail Actually Insure Stamp & Cover Purchases?
For registered mail, the declared value is the insured value, up to $25,000.
If you mailed the item in the US, you should contact your post office to file a claim. That is where the insurance was purchased.
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03:10:27pm
re: Does Registered Mail Actually Insure Stamp & Cover Purchases?
My item was purchased from a seller in Switzerland who mailed it via Registered Mail to me here in USA from Switzerland so it was the Swiss post office that turned down the claim because as stated, Switzerland PO does not provide insurance for stamps whether on cover or not. That is why I am inviting anyone outside the USA, aside from Switzerland, to comment on the rules regarding stamps sent via Registered Mail from their countries.
After that experience, I am also wondering if there is "fine print" in the USA Registered Mail rules also which nullify the insurance portion of the Registered Mail if stamps or covers are mailed from here to another country. If so, the service is basically useless for stamp collectors.
Bruce
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04:27:06pm
re: Does Registered Mail Actually Insure Stamp & Cover Purchases?
Bruce,
Per Canada Post web site (Registration):
7.2
Liability Coverage
Liability Coverage of up to $60 is included for items mailed to the U.S.A. and to other international destinations.
Canada Post shall have no liability for loss, damage or rifling of Registered Mail (U.S.A. and International) items containing banknotes, stocks, bonds, coupons or other securities negotiable by the bearer, lottery tickets, travellers’ cheques, coins, jewellery, manufactured and non-manufactured precious metals, precious stones, gold bullion, gold dust or cancelled or uncancelled postage stamps. Indemnity may not be claimed for expenses incurred by the sender in submitting the indemnity claim or for the fees paid for the option.
NOTE:
Additional Liability Coverage is not available.
Jacques
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04:41:49pm
re: Does Registered Mail Actually Insure Stamp & Cover Purchases?
The USPS Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) has this as allowable for claims against insured US mail:
g. Fair market value of stamps and coins of philatelic or numismatic value, as determined by a recognized stamp or coin dealer or current coin and stamp collectors newsletters and trade papers.
The full section is here:
USPS DMM link
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05:11:31pm
re: Does Registered Mail Actually Insure Stamp & Cover Purchases?
Thanks, Jacques! Enlightening. And you,too Peter for the DMM reference! I wonder how many other countries outside the US besides Canada and Switzerland do not issue insurance for stamps or covers.
Bruce
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re: Does Registered Mail Actually Insure Stamp & Cover Purchases?
Bruce, registered mail means different things in different countries, and not all postal systems honor registered mail from some countries. China is one such country where registered mail is almost like sending regular mail.
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