posted on February 1, 2001 05:52:19 PM new
Does anyone here have any experience with insurance claims with the USPS? I filed a claim back on 10/23 for a $400 item that was demolished in transit. I've checked with the local claims office several times since then, but the answer I always get is that there is "no word from St. Louis yet." It's been over 3 months now! This seems to be a bit extreme. Next I expect them to tell me that claims are considered "dead" after 90 days. *sigh* Anyone have any idea where I can go from here?
posted on February 1, 2001 06:17:44 PM new
It should take 6-8 weeks. I had one claim about 2 years ago where the PO claimed it was delivered even though the recipient never got it. They sent me a badly photocopied delivery notice with an "X" for the signature as proof of delivery. That is why I dont bother with postal insurance unless I have to.
I recently shipped to an APO address where confirmation is not available. I insured it. It disappeared. I had to wait 2 months before the PO would even accept the claim and now I am waiting for a response for over a month.
posted on February 1, 2001 06:30:39 PM new
barkrock,
I'm almost positive there is a phone # your PO can give you to check on the status of claims. When you call you will need the claim # that is at the top of the copy the PO should have given you.
posted on February 1, 2001 06:34:18 PM new
This becomes more aggravating the more I think about it! I had expected the claim would take a while, but 14 weeks and no reply is inexcusable.
To make matters worse, I had to drive 30 miles to the claims office to file the claim originally. I was told there that my invoices were unacceptable, and that I had to have a "credit card receipt" or something similar to "prove" the sale price. Fortunately the item was sold via Billpoint, so I could at least produce that document. But further, I was given the distinct impression that unless I sat quietly and waited patiently and avoided making waves the claim would be denied. So I have.
But by now, even a claim denial would be better than endless silence! I'm at the point now that I don't even care if I do lose the money that was supposed to pay the winter heating bills...I just want someone to acknowledge the claim!
Typically I purchase insurance on every package to prove that items were shipped and that they left the state. At least I do have documentation for the thousands of dollars of merchandise I've sold/shipped, and can prove it left the state. Without such documentation, I run the risk of a state tax audit and their resulting demands that I pay 6% on everything I've sold, including shipping...plus interest, plus very fat penalties.
So now postal insurance might prevent fraudulent non-receipt claims and sales tax audits. And nothing more. *sigh* It's really a bummer that USPS had to smash one of the most valuable items I've ever shipped! Meanwhile, all the $5 glassware sails through unharmed.
posted on February 1, 2001 06:40:10 PM new
Yup, there IS a claim number; and I do have a phone number to call. I've called it 3 times over the last three months, and the response I get is, "St. Louis is still working on it. I'll check into it." And that's the last I hear!
There doesn't seem to be a phone number for this great claims center in St. Louis. Can't say I'm overly anxious to start spending a lot of money on phone calls trying to figure out who there is in charge.
Maybe I should put a complaint in the personals section of the St. Louis newspaper?
posted on February 1, 2001 07:00:43 PM new
It take TOO G.D. long!
We have had a claim going since July and it is STILL NOT done.
I have the # for the automated help line in St. Louis. Just think....you can get blown off with prompted messages! I have looked for 15 minutes but cannot find it right now. I will look further and try and post it tomorrow.
posted on February 1, 2001 07:02:52 PM new
barkrock and others: USPS has an email link on their website and you could send your complaints about your claim there. Also, if you aren't getting answers from the PO where you filed the claim, contact the district manager. I've been lucky that my claims sailed through at lightning speed with no questions whatsoever. But I intentionally filed the claim at a branch where I am very familiar with the personnel...At any rate, remember, you are their customer, and at the very least, you deserve a status report or explanation of denial. Hopefully you will get a refund. If you get really aggravated, contact your US senator and I guarantee you'll get an answer.
posted on February 1, 2001 08:28:22 PM new
Try 5 months!(September 00 to January 01) That's how long my last claim for $300 took. Heck, I live in St. Louis and I could never get thru to the number they gave! I was 100% disgusted with that ordeal. I took a major beating on having to re-ship the replacement too. All in all I lost $60 on the deal, but the bidder was happy in the end.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...........
Ed
Ed Morris
networkSTL Computer and Internet Solutions
posted on February 2, 2001 01:29:19 PM new
Just wanted to share with you all the non-response I got to my email to the address on the USPS website...
----------------
Thank you for visiting our web site. Unfortunately, claims review and
processing is not done electronically. For the status of your claim, please
call 1-888-601-9328.
sj
USPS Consumer Affairs
---------------
I'm off to give the number a call, but somehow I don't have very high hopes!
posted on February 2, 2001 02:19:01 PM new
Try 11 1/2 months! I sent an item on December 13, 1999. The item was worth $150 and was never delivered. Since it was to an APO I was told I had to wait 60 days to file the claim. The claim was filed February 14, 2000. Every week I asked the postmaster and she couldn't tell me anything. She herself put in information requests 5 or 6 times.
I did finally receive a check from the post office... on January 25, 2001. That's just 3 weeks short of a year since I filed, and over a year since the item disappeared.
This was only the second claim I ever filed, the first was on a COD that they lost (though I am sure the guy got it because there were 3 boxes and he got the other two). It took them 5 months to reimburse me for that one.
Now UPS on the other hand... I have filed 3 claims and all were paid within 2 weeks of filing. And I must give them credit, they paid on stuff I didn't even think was worth claiming... like a bent box on a collectible.
posted on February 2, 2001 03:09:00 PM new
Here's the latest update...
I called the 888 # above. After stepping through several menus, I finally got an automated non-response: "This function is temporarily unavailable. Please try your call later." <click> (hmm...did eBay buy out the USPS when I wasn't looking?)
So...again I called the local PO. After some time on hold, I got this response: "It seems that some work was done on this claim back in November, but nothing has happened since then."
I get the distinct feeling that everyone is hoping I'll give up and go away!
Coming next week: a call to our congressman's office. (I just loooove frustrating myself!) I'll keep y'all posted!
Nice to know UPS's claims department works better. Too bad the local UPS terminal is staffed with a bunch of horse's backsides, though. They make it impossible to ship: (a) anything to Canada; (b) anything that is remotely breakable, including anything with any bit of glass or china on it; (c) anything marked "fragile"; (d) anything that is carefully packaged, as they rip open EVERY box that comes in and rifle through it; (e) any firearm, no matter what sort of documentation is presented. And that's just the beginning. (I really shouldn't get started on this one again, unless you want to hear about the clerk who backed up screaming, "Is it going to go off????"
