Some excerpts:
Commentary: Our maximum liability is $100.10. Declared Value and Limits of Liability (Not Insurance Coverage)
A. FedEx Ground liability with regard to any package is limited to the sum of $100 unless a higher value is declared at time of tender and a greater charge paid as provided in the FedEx Service Guide.
Commentary: It doesn't matter what the person at the counter says, your package is not insured.B. The declared value of any package represents our maximum liability in connection with a package, including, but not limited to, any loss, damage, delay, misdelivery, nondelivery, misinformation, any failure to provide information, or misdelivery of information. Exposure to and risk of any loss in excess of the declared value is either assumed by the shipper or transferred by the shipper to an insurance carrier through the purchase of an insurance policy. The shipper should contact an insurance agent or broker if insurance coverage is desired. FEDEX GROUND DOES NOT PROVIDE INSURANCE COVERAGE OF ANY KIND. [Capitalized in T&C document]
Commentary: You can PAY FOR a declared value or more than $100, BUT ...C. In cases where the shipper declares or agrees in writing that the property being shipped is released to a value exceeding $100 per package or article not enclosed in a package, an additional charge for each $100 or fraction thereof of total valuation will be assessed to which the base rate applies, up to a maximum declared value of $50,000 per package.
Commentary: We don't care HOW much you paid for that tuba; what WE say goes, and WE say it's worth no more than $1000.D. Packages containing all or part of the following items are limited to a maximum declared value of $1,000:
1. Artwork, including any work created or developed by the application of skill, taste or creative talent for sale, display or collection. This includes, but is not limited to, items (and their parts) such as paintings, drawings, vases, tapestries, limited-edition prints, fine art, statuary, sculpture and collector's items.
2. Film, photographic images (including photographic negatives), photographic chromes and photographic slides.
3. Any commodity that by its inherent nature is particularly susceptible to damage or the market value of which is particularly variable or difficult to ascertain. [Commentary: like a tuba]
4. Antiques, or any commodity that exhibits the style or fashion of a past era and whose history, age or rarity contributes to its value. These items include, but are not limited to, furniture, tableware and glassware.
5. Collector's items such as sports cards, souvenirs and memorabilia. (Collector's coins and stamps may not be shipped. See the Prohibited Items section.)
6. Glassware, including, but not limited to, signs, mirrors, ceramics, porcelains, china, crystal, glass, framed glass and any other commodity with similarly fragile qualities.
7. Plasma screens.
8. Jewelry, including, but not limited to, costume jewelry, watches and their parts, mount gems or stones (precious or semiprecious), industrial diamonds, and jewelry made of precious metal.
9. Furs, including, but not limited to, fur clothing, fur-trimmed clothing and fur pelts.
10. Precious metals, including, but not limited to, gold and silver bullion or dust, precipitates or platinum (except as an integral part of electronic machinery).
11. Stocks, bonds, cash letters or cash equivalents, including, but not limited to, food stamps, postage stamps (not collectible), traveler's checks, lottery tickets, money orders, gift cards and gift certificates, prepaid calling cards (excluding those that require a code for activation), bond coupons, and bearer bonds.
12. Guitars and other musical instruments that are more than 20 years old, and customized or personalized musical instruments.
Commentary: If you want to declare a value of $15,000, go right ahead. We'll charge you for $15,000 declared value, but the actual declared value is still only $1000.E. ANY EFFORT TO DECLARE A VALUE IN EXCESS OF THE MAXIMUMS ALLOWED IN THE FEDEX SERVICE GUIDE IS NULL AND VOID. OUR ACCEPTANCE FOR CARRIAGE OF ANY PACKAGE BEARING A DECLARED VALUE IN EXCESS OF THE ALLOWED MAXIMUMS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A WAIVER OF ANY PROVISION OF THE FEDEX SERVICE GUIDE AS TO SUCH PACKAGE. [Capitalized in T&C document]
Commentary: Hell, if we can find some schmuck who'll "repair" it for 10 bux, we'll only pay you $10.F. REGARDLESS OF THE DECLARED VALUE OF A PACKAGE, OUR LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGE, DELAY, MISDELIVERY, NONDELIVERY, MISINFORMATION, ANY FAILURE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION, OR MISDELIVERY OF INFORMATION, WILL NOT EXCEED ITS REPAIR COST, ITS DEPRECIATED VALUE OR ITS REPLACEMENT COST, WHICHEVER IS LESS. [Capitalized in T&C document]
Commentary: We've got 37 more ways of screwing you out of the $100 you're entitled to if we lose or damage your tuba.G. See the Liabilities Not Assumed section for other limitations and exclusions on our liability.
BOTTOM LINE: if you're shipping a tuba (or any other musical instrument) and it absolutely, positively has to be insured against damage and loss, contact an insurance agent or broker.
Pgym
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Don't take legal advice from a lawyer on the Internet. I'm a lawyer but I'm not your lawyer.
