Question regarding shipping a bike: insurance
 

Ok so the Salsa is all boxed up and ready for it's trip to Austin for the Ride for the Roses. I will be shipping it UPS ground. So UPS provides the first $100 of insurance but clearly that isn't going to cover much if the bike is damaged...how much insurance should I get on this thing?

I am torn because I figure they wont loose it completely but of course there is that slight chance they could...do I insure it for the full replacement value? If they are going to damage it I would guess many parts will be fine to re-use so if I am insuring it for the damage they might do that obviously wouldn't be the full replacement value but how much would it be?

Or do I just take the risk...not buy any insurance...and if they loose it, damage it I simply foot the bill out of my own pocket?

Last time I shipped a bike I packet it well (as I have this bike) and got insurance as it was a sale...but that was only $700 worth of bike. With my Record conversion...pedals and shoes in the box...my oddsandendos wheels...I would guess replacement would run me between $2000-$3000.

Thoughts from expierenced bike shippers here. Thanks

Go with the full replacement value...I dont remember, but I dont believe it is too much more for each additional $100.

BTW, if you are flying, why not buy a travel case and take it on the plane with you? Might be cheaper (not sure though, I have never priced a travel case).

mscycler

I shipped a bike last week and UPS would only let me insure it up to $999. It was no problem for me because that is what the bike was worth. I am not sure if it was because I did everything on line or if they actually do have a set limit for the amount of insurance you can get. You may want to look into it. I would definitely go for enough insurance to cover the cost for the entire bike and everything included with the bike...if they will allow it.

I believe Fedex will insure for more than UPS so you might want to look into Fedex ground if $999 is not enough

What's it worth to you if it does get lost or totaled....Insurance is nickels and dimes.

Well the travel case is nearly $200 and then the airlines charge you $50-$75 per direction (so double that) because it is oversized. UPS will be like $33 with no insurance.

I guess I am going for as much insurance as I can get.

Always worthwhile photographing the packing job on expensive items. Comes down to who was negligent - you in packing or UPS in handling.

Well I just ran the numbers through our shipping software and for UPS ground insured for $2000 the price is only $7 more than with no insurance (or $42.73 total with insurance)....so I am insuring it for $2000.

If you do decide to go the UPS route, the $999 of insurance that I purchased was only $4. I would at least do that much since it isn't expensive and will give you a little peace of mind.

FWIW I just checked the UPS site and you can insure your shipment up to $50,000. Not sure what happened with yours and the $999 limit.

lots of bike shops rent travel cases, you could check into that and USA cycling has vouchers for free bike freight with air travel.

I'm not sure either...I will have to check into that. That is good information to know in case I need to ship another bike. Thanks!!!

Why not get some exercise and ride your bike to Austin? :)

No doubt I need it...but that could be a bit excessive. LOL

FWIW to the poster that suggested a LBS might have one...I inquired and none in my little hamlet have them...I would have to buy one and I have thought about it.

Right. I just talked to my LBS about this: it's $50 to rent a case for a week. They also do packing in a bike box ($30) but not shipping -- apparently UPS, despite shipping between manufacturers and bike shops doesn't trust John Q. Public to know how to pack, and so some of the local UPS places (not all) won't take them. The implicit suggestion was to pack in either box or hard case and take on the flight. They noted that a bike should travel upright as opposed to on its side and the airlines honor this better than UPS, but I'm more concerned that the Sampsonite Gorilla doesn't decide to pratice his hook shot with it.

I have shipped musical instruments via FedEx with success (so far!)

I would definitely insure for full value (plus I recall that you put some "sweat equity" into that bike)

I work at FedEx loading packages. Make sure you pack everything well. Trust me...

If you don't already have a box, see if you can get a Trek box from your LBS. Those boxes are great!!! They have tie downs inside the box so you can secure the bike in 6 or 7 different places. I used one to ship the bike that I just sold and it made packing it so much easier. It was kind of like one of those bicycle cases. I had to remove both wheels, the handlebars and the seat/post. Everything fit into this box neatly and I was able to secure everything by using the tie downs. The box also has handles so it is easier to handle which might make the loaders and unloaders handle it with greater care since they will have someplace to actually grab the rather large box.

Well the box is on our dock. I had gotten a Cannondale box from my LBS. The Specialized box looked super but was bigger (much wider but a bit shorter, the wheels are both off on the side) and I wasn't sure about the UPS size regulations and that box. The Cannondale box was OK for sure plus they gave me all the packing materials...to which I added a bunch of my own. In the end it was 52"x31"x9", 36 lbs and I insured it for $2500 which I believe would just cover the total loss of the bike (but not my shoes...eh whatever).

Bike SHOULD get to Austin on Monday...keeping my fingers crossed.