I have shipped over 750 guns since I was licensed in 2000. I have never bought insurance. Instead I pack well, using bubble wrap, good cardboard and break the gun down when possible. Rarely have I had to buy much supplies either as I use what the guns came into my shop with. I have shipped guns from $600 to $6000 in selling value. Never had one claim and every package has gone through just like the mail you receive every day, but never use the post office for shipping. Think about it. Over the last 20 or 30 years or more, how many of your "bills" have been lost? I use this excellent delivery record to my advantage. I estimate my savings over those 15 years at about $15,000 to $18,000 and counting. Average shipping cost is $16 to $18 per package, once in a while $20 to $22 for a remote delivery. The fear factor has made a lot of money for shippers if you think about all the unused insurance fees people have purchased. Now, if you only ship one gun every couple years or so I guess it doesn't matter what you do.
rapidfire
While I don't buy nor ship near that many guns, I get peace of mind with insurance. There are various factors that place the risk of loss during shipment either on the buyer or shipper. Absent an agreement as to who bears the loss, it depends upon state law's interpretation of the Uniform Commercial Code. If I were a volume seller of guns, I would have the buyer bear costs of shipping and insurance. This would be upfront and a part of the sales agreement and would cover to and from should the buyer return the gun. In other words, pass the costs on to the buyer. Yes, there are horror stories with getting FedEx and UPS to pay claims. You may call it "fear", but I call it "experience." I have had checks, documents, lost in the mail and near misses on FedEx and UPS. UPS and FedEx planes crash. I had to nix a firearms transaction when the Ithaca M37 arrived at my LGS with a broken stock, the gun having been sent fully assembled. I have had expensive radio equipment lost in shipment only to be found days before the insurance paid out. I also have health insurance, fire insurance, automobile liability and life insurance. It doesn't upset me that I haven't had to make a large claim on any of them, especially the life insurance.
Gil
