Freight insurance: what are the risks?
 

Hi,

I would be grateful to receive comments about insurance from folks who've had their bikes sea freighted in crates.

(1) What are the chances of anything bad happening to the bike or luggage? I imagine pilfering is an ever-present risk. My luggage is locked, but they could just take the whole lot. Has anybody actually had any problems? Damage?

(2) I would think the forwarding process means that at each stop somebody has to sign to say they have received it. So if I arrive and there is no bike, it's the last signature on the receipt that owes me one bike?

(3) Does everybody just automatically get insurance anyway? Or do some folks take their chances? Insurance seems absurdly expensive for what is a fairly short time-frame. So it could be high risk or it could just be gouging.

(4) Is the insurance actually worthwhile? Intersted to hear from anybody who made a claim. Would they cover for stolen luggage or contents? Did you have to argue to get your payout?

cheers
Colin