I recently found out from Purolator that they don't offer insurance on non-business shipments. If a lens or camera gets lost or damaged, they will handle the claim on a case-by-case basis.
I know that Canada Post don't cover if a lens got damaged as they are considered fragile. (They will cover if the lens got lost.)
Does any carrier within Canada offer damage insurance on lens or camera shipments? How do people ship their gear in for service?
Within Canada, I generally use Canada Post to ship lenses and cameras. Most often via Expedited with full insurance. I've never had the discussion about lost vs. broken, and I hope it never comes up (knocking on head), but if it does, I'll be tenacious. I use Purolator to send gear to Canon CPS Canada, because they give me free shipping vouchers. Sometimes I add insurance (as for 300/2.8L IS). I've never had somebody at Purolator or Canada Post tell me that lenses aren't insured for damage, even when the insured item is clearly described as a lens.
I shipped a lens using Canada Post. I bought additional insurance, and described the contents as a "camera lens". Canada Post happily took my money. The recipient claimed that the lens was damaged on arrival. I (not the recipient) had to make the insurance claim because, according to Canada Post, I was the one who bought the insurance. The claim, filed electronically, was dismissed within the hour because lenses are considered fragile item and are not insurable. That's my experience, YMMV.
lara_ckl wrote:
... I (not the recipient) had to make the insurance claim because, according to Canada Post, I was the one who bought the insurance...
Yes, that's right.
I pack mine well enough that they tend to get there undamaged. Here's one that I sent to an FM member in the US, a few years ago. The lens was undamaged. Photos courtsey of Mike B.
Canada Post Expidited with insurance. Can only do this in person or through flea-bay. Can't add additional insurance through online shipping. Don't know why. UPS works good as well, but won't be cheap. Won't use Purolator - sorry.
From the condition of the above package, someone needs to be held accountable.
hdavid wrote:
Canada Post Expidited with insurance. Can only do this in person or through flea-bay. Can't add additional insurance through online shipping.
I used Canada Post Small Parcel service. I don't know if it has a different insurance policy as Expedited. But, as I mentioned above, while they took my money, they won't honor a claim. They said that their insurance does not cover damage to fragile items like camera lenses.
In other words, just because Canada Post took your money for insurance does not necessary mean you are covered.
lara_ckl wrote:
In other words, just because Canada Post took your money for insurance does not necessary mean you are covered.
Well, just because you bought insurance doesn't mean you are covered for damage. Anytime I buy any type of insurance I ask to read the policy and/or ask clarifying questions.
In Canada, I usually ship via Expedited Parcel with insurance/signature and pack everything very nicely.
Insure for loss...pack properly for damage. Loss is relatively easy to prove, damage, not so much. The lens or camera my have been damaged to start with, so the insurance company is unlikely willing to cover for that.
