UPDATED: FRACK! The U.S. Postal service DENIED my insurance claim! What?!?!

Prethen

I haven't got the letter from the USPS yet, but according to their automated service, my claim was DENIED on 12/27 and they're sending me a letter with the reason(s). What the hell?! What for? I know I'm jumping the gun about the denial, but I thought this was an open and shut case. They have the insurance receipt, the coin receipt, the evidence that the recipient got with the "oops, sorry, you may not have got all your stuff letter" with the torn open envelope and no coin. I'm really dreading to discover what this stupid denial is all about. Not to mention I'm already getting livid.

Anyone else experience this? Any guesses as to what this might be all about and if/how I can fight it?


So here's the rest of the story. Apparently, when the dealer brought in the application (which I filled out) and substantiating materials, plus he added the empty envelope with the postal standard "apology notice of the possibility that not everything was delivered", the postal clerk checked the wrong box on the application form (which is the postal responsibility). She checked "container not delivered" (or something like that) instead of "container only delivered". So, they denied the claim.

I asked the dealer to bring his copies of the material (which he smartly made) back in and correct the situation with the post office clerk. I also sent in an appeal letter.

Well, I'm not sure what ended up fixing the situation, but I got my check yesterday! Phew!

It's still infuriating that the clerk was foolish enough to check that box (I don't know if the dealer had a chance to notice what was checked or I'm a sure would he realize what the significance being) since the opened package was right there! Doh!

astrorat

First...try and be calm...being livid won't help. Yeah, I know, but I had to say it. I had a $600 claim denied despite all the appropriate steps followed. I also received an empty envelope which should of had three nice Roman Republican brockages in it (and I am still mad!). I wrote a detailed response letter explaining why the claim should be paid and it was paid shortly thereafter. Sometimes claims are rejected because a certain "i" was not dotted or "t" was not crossed.

Best of luck to you.

Lane

Prethen

Lane, that's good to hear that there's a chance they'd review the claim based on a letter. I'm good at writing letters like that (and not livid ones).

itsnotjustme

I have only had to make a claim once, and it was paid.

I might ask how it was packaged.... the envelope was torn open. I hope this was not a coin/slab in an envelope. The mail is mechanically sorted and envelopes with objects in them tend to get ripped open in the process.

Good luck. A well thought out letter may do the trick.

Cladiator

<< <i>FRACK! >>

So say we all

SeattleSlammer

Sorry to hear about this, but I wish you luck in your appeal. I know I've also had my share of adventures with USPS lately.

PS-I rather like the word "Frack"

bikenut

Three different coins not received by me....USPS....all insured......all claims filed......all money reimbursed....

darktone

don't get too worried. This will be a big hassle but I pretty sure your claim wil be denied because you will have to prove the value of the contents. If it's a certified coin it won't be too hard to prove unless your coin got it's value from toning or something else that does not reflect the value on the holders grade. A receipt from when you bought the coin will prove value. A raw coin with no reciept will be harder to prove value but it can be done.

TwoSides2aCoin

I think their new slogan should be :
Enter at your own risk. This should be eBay/ PayPal's, too.

coinpictures

As budgets get tighter, the USPS may be adopting FedEx's mantra of "autodeny all claims."

You think I'm kidding? I'm not. I spent some time talking with someone in upper management at FedEx after I experienced the same problem about 2 years ago. They autodeny virtually all insurance claims. Why? They know that the law of averages is in their favor. A certain percentage of people won't bother to pursue the claim further, so that's less money that FedEx has to pay out, regardless of whether or not the claim is legit. It's only on the response or follow-up that a human being actually pays attention to the facts of the claim.

The same logic is the reason that Best Buy and CE manufacturers offer mail-in rebates rather than simply offering a sale discount at the register: some people will forget or won't bother to ever send in the rebate forms. Less money going out.

If you want your money you'll have to wade through the bureaucracy. It's bull$hit, but they make the rules...

MORGANHUNTER2

Many many moons ago I worked for an TPI (Third Party Insurer) who handled claims for a well known busing outfit here in SoCal.

Since it was a gov't entity- the process is A- present a claim, B- deny it giving the presenter 90 days to resolve the issue or get it to court either by a small claims action or in civil litigation.
But- the 90 days does not begin until a letter is sent via certified mail.

send a letter- and you may need to follow up with filing a claim in the small claims court in your hood.

If you win- everthing is paid including the filing fees.

Yes you can sue a gov't entity- just read their process.

Barry

I once had a claim where they paid at the Red Book Good value, even though the coin was AU. A letter to them got the rest of the money.

They're like any other insurance company - they deny or reduce claims the first time processed, hoping to get away with it (and I'm sure they do at times), and those that make a fuss get what they are due, eventually.

ricko

Patience and time, and a well worded, calm letter will usually do the trick. Supported by any evidence of value you may have. It usually will work out in your favor. Cheers, RickO

Prethen

The coin was raw, but I gave them the original receipt from the dealer. I'm sure the dealer is willing to completely help me out also.

AUandAG

All is not lost...be patient and jump through the hoops in the right direction! I once had a claim denied. No big deal, just $70.
Well, eighteen months later I got $30. It was registered and shipped to Europe. Oh, and it was payment for a coin and was
in cash. I guess in the eighteen months our currency was devalued a bunch!
Good Luck,
bob

ddink

<< <i>They [FedEx] autodeny virtually all insurance claims. Why? They know that the law of averages is in their favor. >>



Sounds like a class action lawsuit if someone can prove it.

I've only filed an insurance claim twice. The first time the lady never sent in the paperwork, and by the time I found out, it was too late to refile. The second time they paid me within 3-4 weeks.

aficionado

They probably deny most claims and most people go away.

Those that keep up the pressure get paid.

Julian

I had an insurance claim for $550. for a package not delivered. I had to take it through several appeal steps, but it was finally paid about a year later.

Hopefully, since yours is black and white and will not take as long.

LindeDad

If the package was delivered the recepent must file the claim. If I remember my conversation with the post master right.

TwoSides2aCoin

A wealthy doctor's wife called our office to say StateFarm reduced their home owner's premiums after we installed a metal roof. She said it was a 40% reduction and it would save them $1000. per year. Some insurance is good. Try GEICO , but whatever you do... get off your asphalt.

I am sorry if I get off topic. I see lawyers chatting and doctors and darksiders, politicians and wall streeters, eBayers and Shippers. Someone has to represent the roofers.

ILikeMercs

go postal!

tahoe98

i feel for you prethen. makes one sick how casually they tend to dismiss the customer, when they, the post office are incompetent, truly sickening.

Bochiman

<< <i>A wealthy doctor's wife called our office to say StateFarm reduced their home owner's premiums after we installed a metal roof. She said it was a 40% reduction and it would save them $1000. per year. Some insurance is good. Try GEICO , but whatever you do... get off your asphalt.

I am sorry if I get off topic. I see lawyers chatting and doctors and darksiders, politicians and wall streeters, eBayers and Shippers. Someone has to represent the roofers. >>




Joe....get up here and install a new roof for me
I need one in the coming year or so (previous owner did 1/4 of the roof at a time so part of it are 5-7 years old, 10-12, 15-17, and 23 years ago), so come on up and save me some money, honey

Monstavet

I hope your appeal works out. A few years back (some of the veterans here will remember this scam) a growing number of us had shipments of coins to PCGS go missing. I don't know how it worked out for other folks, but my insured claim got paid at pennies on the dollar of the insured value - despite accurate documentation of the value of the coins. The worst part was - it was a postal worker at the station nearest to PCGS who was stealing all the packages of coins on their way to be slabbed. Postal insurance is a joke.

cladking

Frequently these are denied for a very correctable reason.

Even if they come up with the best reason not to pay it then talk to the post master
of the recieving post office. They are usually very helpful and know how to get it paid.

They might be able to prove the coin wasn't in the envelope and then you can get help
bringing pressure on the shipper.

No matter what don't give up the ship too soon.

...And remenmber the catch phrase, "what is insurance for if they won't pay?".

JapanJohn

This has nothing to do with coins but it does relate to insurance. I have a health care provider (a big one) who would reject EVERY claim I ever filed. It didn't matter what it was or how well documented. It was rejected. I started cutting the pages out of the pdf file, printing them and attaching them to the claim showing where the service was covered. Denied.

Then I get married. I'm 35 at the time and the wife is 32. We decide that the day we get married is the day we better shoot for a kid before we get older. So I get married and exactly nine months later I'm expecting a kid.

I file the claim. Bang. Declined. They said it was "a pre-existing condition" and demanded a marriage certificate. I emailed them a scanned copy of my marriage certificate and explained that as a nice guy I would do it even though it was offensive and not required as per their policy and that they were readily accepting increased payment for a family plan during this period. I also told them I was fed up with denial of claims and that if payment wasn't made in 48 hours I was hiring a lawyer and NOTHING could turn off the lawsuit I was filing against them and that I had documentation of 10 of 10 declined claims. Also told them this goes for the next claim of mine that they decline.

In retrospect, I probably should have just sued them. However, I got a phone call in the middle of the night (I lived in Japan) telling me a check had just been mailed.

Well, it's been 10 years and they haven't declined a claim since. I think insurance companies and entities are scum.

John

ddink

<< <i>the post office are incompetent >>



It's tempting to call them incompetent, but when they successfully and accurately deliver 99.9+% of packages/items succesfully, are they really?

cladking

<< <i>

<< <i>the post office are incompetent >>



It's tempting to call them incompetent, but when they successfully and accurately deliver 99.9+% of packages/items succesfully, are they really? >>




It might be higher than this but, unfortunately, most of what they lose are insured packages.

TwoSides2aCoin

You're on Bochi. PM me in spring.

Prethen

Updated with results.

Plus, a big shout out to Jim Long of JEL Coins for being so responsible and helping me out with this claim! Yay!

astrorat

Glad it worked out for you!

Lane

Prethen

Well, the check has been deposited and I'm quite relieved now.