The small commercial lab I work for ships about 200 items per year and we use a large shipping company for all of it.
For years we have routinely insured these items. Most of these ship without incident but there have been some losses due to damage.
I believe the carrier has never paid us a claim for loss due to damage. My understanding is that for the large shipping carrier we use, paying out for loss due to damage is rare even if the item is shipped in the original packaging.
We no longer buy the insurance.
Does anyone know of a case where a shipping carrier paid a claim due to damage?
Yes multiple times. The reason that a lot of carriers do not pay is that the customer does a lousy job packing instruments. If you pack according to their specifications then they have to pay you if the item is damaged. I know that when we pack we are required to have 4 inches between the instrument and the outside of the box. You do usually have to fight with them as they do not just want to be handing out money but if you pursue it they usually pay. At least that has been my experience. My company even had 30 seconds of fame due to a lousy driver that beat up one of the boxes we shipped.
http://abc7ny.com/news/video-ups-driver-seen-kicking-expensive-package/370695/
We have gotten the basic $100 from FedEx on 2 shipments they messed up. Didn't cover the damage but without buying additional coverage that is all they will cover.
Nice video USMCPMEL.
Excellent video. Made me wonder if UPS has a video of how we're packing our equipment.
I try to retain OEM boxes/packing material but it's hard to get everyone on the same page.
You best bet... Add it to your business insurance!
Here is a picture of what was in that box. I am pretty sure that UPS had to buy them a new one after that video went viral.