Insurance that Covers Live Corals and Fish!? Would you pay extra for this Coverage? Please vote!

[AquaSD]

Hello Everyone,

We have an opportunity to secure insurance coverage for our shipments through UPS Capital. This insurance would protect live animals delayed by one day (e.g., shipped on Monday but arriving on Wednesday). However, if the shipment arrives on Tuesday (even at 11:59 PM), there is no coverage.

We value your input on the following:

1. Would you be willing to pay an additional $20 for this insurance, which offers up to $400 in coverage?
2. There's an option to add additional coverage. Would you consider adding more coverage at a rate of $5 per $100 of additional coverage?
3. Note that there is a 10% deductible from UPS on the total insured amount.

UPS proposes that we include this coverage on all orders. Consequently, our shipping fee would increase from $29.99 per box to $49.99 per box ($19.99 to $39.99 per box for California residents).

In the event of a delay, we would offer:

1. Full replacement of the order, including shipping costs.
2. Full refund of the order, including shipping costs.
3. Full credit of the order, including shipping costs, to be used on products of your choice.

Please share any questions or concerns here, so we can determine if this is the right direction for us to take.

Thank you for your feedback!

Best regards,
Will Chang
President/CEO
Aqua SD

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

Hello Everyone,

We have an opportunity to secure insurance coverage for our shipments through UPS Capital. This insurance would protect live animals delayed by one day (e.g., shipped on Monday but arriving on Wednesday). However, if the shipment arrives on Tuesday (even at 11:59 PM), there is no coverage.

We value your input on the following:

1. Would you be willing to pay an additional $20 for this insurance, which offers up to $400 in coverage?
2. There's an option to add additional coverage. Would you consider adding more coverage at a rate of $5 per $100 of additional coverage?
3. Note that there is a 10% deductible from UPS on the total insured amount.

UPS proposes that we include this coverage on all orders. Consequently, our shipping fee would increase from $29.99 per box to $49.99 per box ($19.99 to $39.99 per box for California residents).

In the event of a delay, we would offer:

1. Full replacement of the order, including shipping costs.
2. Full refund of the order, including shipping costs.
3. Full credit of the order, including shipping costs, to be used on products of your choice.

Please share any questions or concerns here, so we can determine if this is the right direction for us to take.

Thank you for your feedback!

Best regards,
Will Chang
President/CEO
Aqua SD

Just this past winter I had a live shipment get delayed over a weekend with sub zero temperatures. This was FedEx. I wish I could have insured that.

Then just recently I had a live shipment from UPS get delayed by a full day in 90+ temps. That didn't end well either. An insurance option would have been nice.

 

[AquaSD]

Just this past winter I had a live shipment get delayed over a weekend with sub zero temperatures. This was FedEx. I wish I could have insured that.

Then just recently I had a live shipment from UPS get delayed by a full day in 90+ temps. That didn't end well either. An insurance option would have been nice.

Delays definitely are no fun Sorry to hear that.

We requested UPS to give our customers the option to opt in or out, but they refused. They said it was coverage on all boxes, or nothing at all.

 

[robanister]

Just give the option. Some places may not need it. Like me its direct for others it goes through many hubs and sometimes hot places. Create a sister company to skirt ups?

 

[tautog83]

If we dont have the option then no... shipping rates are usually how i decide where im ordering from . Its sad that it isnt an option

 

[Outlaw Corals]

When you vendors have to cover a loss can’t you claim it on your taxes as a loss ?

 

[robanister]

When you vendors have to cover a loss can’t you claim it on your taxes as a loss ?

I think it's hard with coral IRS goes this one is 200 why is yours 600

 

[Doctorgori]

short answer: yes, I would pay but…

Not all losses are the shipping company’s fault: leaky bags, unneeded heat packs, BDJ, bleached sticks
…..will insurance cover boneheaded vendor causes? I wonder how would one parse out cause and effect for losses? Especially “delayed” loss from heat stress, et

 

[RoanokeReef]

$49 seems reasonable and on average what most are charging anyways and with insurance built in that cost seems like a no brainer to me.

 

[dansyr]

Could UPS deal treat in-state vs out-of-state packages differently?

Default $49 shipping out-of-state feels appropriate with most others, and more distance = more likely to risk carrier delays. Doesn't seem like a deal-breaker.

But as someone reasonably local who's done both shipping and pickup with you guys, I do appreciate the cheap in-state shipping, and that seems much lower risk of a carrier delay.

 

[TheDorkLord]

I would prefer to have the option or not at all. I appreciate the lower shipping fees and would consider using the insurance, but I would not want nor choose to pay for it all the time, every time.

Thank you for asking us

 

[Strad12]

$50 per box is in line with shipping rates from other vendors. I think it would be a good option in riskier months, like heatwaves in the summer or when shipping gets bottled up in the winter from holiday shopping and snow storms. Is there a third party you could set up an insurance policy with outside of UPS that might offer more flexibility or better rates?

 

[NATE1979]

My opinion shipping is getting to high now, I love aqua sd corals, the reason is I like there corals but shipping is cheaper with them and the sales on there corals are cheaper as well, I might pay $5 on every $100 spent but that would be it for me cause everyone can;t afford high shipping and high corals especially with other vendor sales in my opinion cause sometimes sales don't even seem like sales with other vendors this is why I like aqua sd

 

[AquaSD]

Just give the option. Some places may not need it. Like me its direct for others it goes through many hubs and sometimes hot places. Create a sister company to skirt ups?

We requested this option for customers to choose whether to add insurance. However, they declined, insisting on an all-or-nothing

 

[AquaSD]

short answer: yes, I would pay but…

Not all losses are the shipping company’s fault: leaky bags, unneeded heat packs, BDJ, bleached sticks
…..will insurance cover boneheaded vendor causes? I wonder how would one parse out cause and effect for losses? Especially “delayed” loss from heat stress, et

This insurance policy provides coverage for delays due to weather or mechanical issues. For further details, please refer to the original post.

In cases involving packaging issues or Dead on Arrivals (DOAs), we will work with the customer to resolve the matter. These issues are handled separately from the insurance policy.

 

[AquaSD]

Could UPS deal treat in-state vs out-of-state packages differently?

Default $49 shipping out-of-state feels appropriate with most others, and more distance = more likely to risk carrier delays. Doesn't seem like a deal-breaker.

But as someone reasonably local who's done both shipping and pickup with you guys, I do appreciate the cheap in-state shipping, and that seems much lower risk of a carrier delay.

Unfortunately no, it's a blanketed policy, and will apply to every single overnight box.

 

[AquaSD]

It seems that the general consensus is that customers appreciate the idea but prefer it to be optional rather than mandatory. People want the flexibility to choose whether to add it or not.

Thank you all for your valuable input and feedback!

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Might be a good idea until you make a few claims and the insurance company drags it feet or outright refuses to pay. My experience with insurance companies include one suing me just for investigating coverage for a loss. They did owe me but decided to lawyer me to death to avoid settling. Nice huh! Insurance companies are legalized thieves. Let's not even open the door on health insurance companies and their shenanigans.

 

[VintageReefer]

This insurance would protect live animals delayed by one day (e.g., shipped on Monday but arriving on Wednesday). However, if the shipment arrives on Tuesday (even at 11:59 PM), there is no coverage.

I don’t understand can you please explain further ?

What is meant by “delayed by one day” is that a minimum or maximum limitation?

Monday overnight shipment examples:

1) Ships Monday, arrives Tuesday, livestock deceased. No coverage (I think this is assumed correctly)

2) ships Monday, arrives Wednesday, livestock deceased - we get coverage

3) ships Monday, package lost, arrives Friday - do we get coverage ?
The line “delayed by one day” seems like a stipulation and maximum the way it’s worded.

This insurance policy provides coverage for delays due to weather or mechanical issues.

What about -
ups became busy and didn’t get to my house before shift end?

package was lost and found a day or two later?

Package delayed and UPS doesn’t tell me why and just says rescheduled ?

Package delivered to incorrect address ?

 

[smitten with ocean life]

yes, maybe if was as simple as the question was asked. but it never is. there is always a loophole or some reason why it doesnt apply. and then the headache of trying to file a claim!! no. thank. you!