I just had a box of 40 PB books go lost in the mail.  Luckily, I bought insurance on them.  How much "proof" of worth do I need for the PO?  I've never had something that I insured go missing before.  I had the clerk look in the box and write on the slip what was in the box before I sealed it (it is on the insurance slip in her writing "40 books."  I only insured it for $50, since I did buy them all used.  I got them here, there and everwhere, and I have no idea what I paid for all of them...I have a partial list of books (31 of them), but then I just threw in some unpostables for packaging without writing down the names.  Do I just estimate the cost of these, or show what they're worth used on Amazon or what?

3.2 Evidence of Value

The customer (either the mailer or the addressee) must submit acceptable evidence to establish the cost or value of the article at the time it was mailed. For claims submitted online, the evidence may be scanned and uploaded or sent via First-Class Mail to Domestic Claims, Accounting Services (see 608.8.0). Other evidence may be requested to help determine an accurate value. Examples of acceptable evidence are:

a. Sales receipt, invoice or bill of sale, or statement of value from a reputable dealer.

b. For items valued up to $100, the customer's own statement describing the lost or damaged article and including the date and place of purchase, the amount paid, and whether the item was new or used (only if a sales receipt or invoice is not available). If the article mailed is a hobby, craft, or similar handmade item, the statement must include the cost of the materials used in making the item. The statement must describe the article in sufficient detail to determine whether the value claimed is accurate.

c. Picture from a catalog showing the value of a similar article (only if a sales receipt, invoice, or statement of value from a reputable dealer is not available). The date and place of purchase must be included.

you should submit an accurate list of the books and aproximate age and condition.

I had the clerk look in the box and write on the slip what was in the box before I sealed it (it is on the insurance slip in her writing "40 books."

WHY?? She did it to keep you happy, but that is worthless, If it was nessasary or required there would be a spot on the slip for that. You just wasted her time, your time and everyone who was waiting behind you when you demanded that she do that. and how are you going to prove its in "her writing" \

all insurance claims are payed offsite now, no claims are processed at the PO so there is no way that someone in Saint Louis will know what "her writing" is or will they demand a handwriting sample.