Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: insurance claim advice

  1. #1

    Default insurance claim advice

    I am (or was) the proud owner of a drop-dead-gorgeous 1982 Newson A mandolin with ridiculously flamed maple, a fine aged patina, and amazing woody tone, that needed some repairs. I contacted and eventually shipped it out to Paul Newson, who did a spectacular job on the repairs for a reasonable price, and sent it back to me a few weeks ago. The shipper, unfortunately, did not do such a great job, and it arrived with the neck horribly broken at the wrist. The HS case it was shipped in was apparently undamaged, but the cardboard shipping box had a noticeable dent in it. It was insured for $4000 (replacement cost), and Gruhn Guitars provided me with a written appraisal of $3500 pre-damage (it had a repaired crack in the top as well). I've already submitted the insurance claim with all evidence and pics, but I still have two questions: 1) does anyone have any insurance claim success stories, and if so, what do you think helped the most? Also, how long did it take? And 2) if I don't get the full payout on the claim, should I try and find a builder that will put a new neck on what's left of the old body and end up with a frankenmando (Paul's not keen on rebuilding), or purchase a decent but lesser instrument for about the same price?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails IMG_0968.pdf  

  2. #2
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,753

    Default Re: insurance claim advice

    So sorry what happened to your mandolin. You must have been heartbroken. I guess all the carriers have similar track record. I have been lucky so far, but I tend to overpack, like box within a box and lots of padding.

    BTW it works much better to post a photo using the icon third from the right on this page. Then users can just click on the photo to view in larger size.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_0968.jpg 
Views:	242 
Size:	633.3 KB 
ID:	165757
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    S.W. Wisconsin
    Posts
    7,507

    Default Re: insurance claim advice

    I have had a claim settled satisfactorily, I ended up taking less and fixing the item. I can't seem to blow the pic up, but your mandolin looks repairable. You might tell the insurance you don't want to loose the instrument, it they pay full price they will take it. And settle for most, and then have it repaired. Good luck, that is unfortunate.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  4. #4
    Adrian Minarovic
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, Europe
    Posts
    3,462

    Default Re: insurance claim advice

    I feel with you, I'm always nervous till my instruments are in hands of owners.
    If you loved tone of the mandolin have it repaired preferrably by the builder - he can match the finish the best. New neck is not a biggie, pretty simple job, he can reuse the original overlay and fingerboard and tiny finish touchup on sides next to neck joint and new finish on neck. Looks like French polish, that's easy to blend. I've done similar repair many years ago - reducing neck width - which involved replacing fingerboard and reworking of overlay and refinish of whole neck shaft and it was easier than I thought - my first big job and you wouldn't tell something was modified on the mandolin.
    I would suggest asking John Hamlett to do the job if Paul can not. Perhaps John will suggest just gluing it back if it fits well and thin backstrap overlay (I see the truss rod nut pocket is quite deep) will make it stronger than new. And Johns finish work is as good as you can get...
    BTW, loosen the strings, do not let the tension do more damage...
    I would also ask if you can claim loss of value after repair as well, not just the cost of repair.
    Adrian

  5. #5

    Default Re: insurance claim advice

    Hard to say from a single picture, but looks like a simple repair, IMHO. If you like the mandolin, I would have it repaired. It is a shame, but these things happen.

    I'm not sure how the insurance claim works, in this case.

  6. #6
    Registered User fscotte's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Zanesville, Ohio
    Posts
    2,490

    Default Re: insurance claim advice

    Never mark the box as fragile or handle with care or instrument inside, etc.. My brother has worked at UPS for 30 years and said the young loaders are usually mad about something... When they see those marked boxes they will sling them as hard as they can into the trucks. And management wont do anything about it. How can they discipline a worker for doing his job? Loading boxes into a truck as fast as they can?

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    High Peak - UK
    Posts
    4,172

    Default Re: insurance claim advice

    Commiserations. Not sure what the legal position is in the US but, in the UK at least, responsibility for the mandolin rests with the sender until such time as it arrives safely - so shouldn't Paul Newson be sorting the insurance claim out? I would suggest that he is responsible for its safe return to you.

  8. #8

    Default Re: insurance claim advice

    Quote Originally Posted by Ray(T) View Post
    Commiserations. Not sure what the legal position is in the US but, in the UK at least, responsibility for the mandolin rests with the sender until such time as it arrives safely - so shouldn't Paul Newson be sorting the insurance claim out? I would suggest that he is responsible for its safe return to you.
    Just so any UK readers don't get confused, this is true for business sellers, under consumer protection law.

    But not necessarily so for private sellers, or for service providers like repairers (which is the case here). Depends what was agreed.

    Fortunately wheelerc had the instrument insured, which saves any arguments about who (except for the carrier) is responsible.

    A couple of points on insurance:

    a. They'll offer you the diminution in value caused by the damage, up to the value of the instrument. This looks like an easily repairable break if you get that string tension off and cover up the break to stop dirt getting it. I would ask your repairer for an estimate on costs of invisible repair (i.e. making good the finish etc), because you will want that number.

    b. There is a risk that they offer to repair it at their cost - you should only agree if it's a repairer who won't reduce its value.

    c. The insurers will offer you less than your actual loss, expecting you to negotiate. If you don't, they see that as your problem. So work out what your claim is. Replacement cost? Repair cost (including all related expenses like carriage)? Ask yourself how you will prove those numbers are right, because you'll need to do that to the insurers.

    d. If they write off the instrument, in your position I'd want to buy it back and get it repaired, which is why you need to know the repair cost so you can negotiate once they tell you how much they want for a buyback.

  9. #9

    Default Re: insurance claim advice

    Quote Originally Posted by Ray(T) View Post
    Commiserations. Not sure what the legal position is in the US but, in the UK at least, responsibility for the mandolin rests with the sender until such time as it arrives safely - so shouldn't Paul Newson be sorting the insurance claim out? I would suggest that he is responsible for its safe return to you.
    My understanding has always been that once the seller (or shipper) drops off the package and it is accepted, their responsibility is over. From there, it is between the shipping company and the receiver. At least this is how it has worked with any damaged shipments I've made over the years (only when selling electronics on ebay, fortunately, no instruments damaged in transit so far).

  10. #10
    mandolin slinger Steve Ostrander's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Capitol of MI
    Posts
    2,795

    Default Re: insurance claim advice

    That's a shame. You must have been sick when you opened the box and saw it.
    Living’ in the Mitten

  11. #11
    Registered User mee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Shenandoah
    Posts
    261

    Default Re: insurance claim advice

    We had that same break with a vintage Gibson banjo shipped in HS case. It happens.

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •