I have a package worth about 5k in raw cards. How would I ship the cards to PSA while insuring it? From what I have read it seems like standard shipping insurance from USPS or Shipsurance all do not cover the value of cards being sent to PSA.
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I am pretty sure with USPS you can just pay extra for whatever amount of insurance you want them to cover. When you ship it tell them you want to add more insurance.
Some anecodotes on making USPS claims
The most secure method of shipping in the US. Registered mail via USPS. Declare insurance value at 5k, should be about $30. Fully insured. But I can also guarantee you there’s next to zero risk of it having any problems anyway. It is hand exchanged and signed for each step of the way.
No need to be paranoid about shipping. I’ve sent some 100k worth of stuff over 10 years using this method, so have many. It’s how people ship gold and heirlooms and such.
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I don’t think USPS would cover anything that doesn’t have a reciept behind it. Even previous sold prices of the same card would not be enough. Unless the shipment was to a customer that just bought the card for a certain amount of dollars it is very hard to prove that the card is worth the amount that you are claiming.
Yep I am definitely considering this option. It seems very secure even if the insurance ends up being bogus. Do I have to ask for this option at the post office? Or is it possible to print a label online like pirate ship and ask the registered mail service to be added on?
Not possible to print label. No. You must use special tape (I use water tape) to secure the box, address it to PSA, then pay for postage at office. They have you fill out a slip that they stamp, it’s the insurance and registered mail receipt, then they stamp all the seams of the box and put it with the manager’s drawer under lock and key.
I assure you you have zero to worry about with this option. It’s the absolute most secure way to ship anything. Nothing will happen to it. It does not travel with all other types of mail. It travels in its own locked bin with each driver. Not sorted with other mail.
Do I need to provide my own tape?
Yes. But I was told by usps longtime clerk they make boxes for them nowadays too. I haven’t used one though, so I can’t say where to get them. The idea is they do not use clear tape. The rule is brown only so they can stamp seams.
Here’s how I do mine:
@brendantheclayboy is 100% right.
USPS Registered Mail is the safest method to ship in the nation. The insurance is really irrelevant because the chance that your Registered Mail package gets lost is next to 0%.
Note that Registered Mail is EXTREMELY slow. This is necessary as there are many more steps involved along the way. The other thing to note is that you won’t get a typical USPS tracking number. You’ll get a Registered Mail number, and updates won’t happen as frequently.
Just to add, but the clerks at my USPS have always provided the tape for my packages. I have always just packaged them normally with packing tape and they have taped over that with the designated tape.
The best secure way is graded on site during a Card Show like nsccshow
Agreed that registered mail is the safest option for sure. Alternatively, if you’re not wanting to deal with the slow delivery times, I’ve found shipping uninsured overnight is pretty safe and reliable (this works better only if you’re not really worried about the small risk something goes wrong!). It’s at least hard for them to screw something up if they only have it for 24 hours, haha
also dont ship during holiday times if you can wait a month
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My https://collectinsure.com/ policy covers up to $2,500 in USPS shipments (requires signature shipping). Up to $10k in coverage on FedEx shipments (also requires signature).
Have never had to file anything though (thankfully) so can’t speak to the claims process.
This. It’s probably the best part of the insurance, and on rare occurrences when I ship something more than $2500 I go to FedEx and it is insured for the full amount of the policy. I also thankfully have never had to make a claim but would hope it would be straightforward
@zork @pokecollectoramy I have heard of this insurance before, but I don’t seem to see any testimonials on the actual claims process.
Presumably they’re well established in collectibles but yes I can’t vouch for the claims process. Hope I never have to honestly.
I made a claim and it went very smoothly. It was an ungraded card heading to PSA. It was shipped from the seller of the card to PSA. They refunded the full value I paid (not market value) minus deductible. (this was with a dealer insurance contract).
Sadly a very rare card.
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How much was the card and claim?