I built a fly rod for my son and mailed it April 7. It has yet to arrive. I have $160 in blank and components and insured the finished rod for $300, which is what a factory built rod with this blank and less expensive components sells for. Now it's time to file an insurance claim, and I foresee problems collecting.
Has anyone else had a similar problem? Any suggestions? Will the USPS compensate me for my (double) labor?

Don't break the cost down into parts and labor. What was lost was a finished fishing rod. Bill them for that. Ã…s a custom builder you can write up your own invoice for what the finished rod was worth. I had to do this and it wasn't a problem. If you don't operate a custom rod building business that might be more difficult.

If you initially paid for insurance on a $300 package, I don't see where you'll run into problems with the USPS.

Jay

Phillip,

You can only collect the amount of money that you insured the rod for. If it was $300.00, then you will recieve only $300.00. USPS will not compensate you for your (double) labor?

You are correct in anticipating problems in collecting, it will be a hassle, but they will ultimately pay you.

Been There and Done That.

John (aka: @#$%&)

I insured a rod I mailed from California to Yokosuka Japan. It was an old Fenwick Seahawk that they quit making several years ago. They wanted me to find a copy of an advertisement of how much the rod cost. I ended up getting lazy and gave up. Its probably not all that difficult, I couldn't find anything on the internet and let it go by the wayside until it was too late.

Phil