POSTCOMM REGULATIONS.  POST OFFICE RETAIL SCHEME 2004.

NOT DESCRIBED AS INSURANCE BUT AS COMPENSATION.

A proof of posting certificate does give you a chance of compensation if your item goes missing in the post (ask at your post office), but be aware some items are not covered at all mainly Jewellery, cash, stamps etc. check the list at ---royal mail.com (sorry can't put an external link here). Current compensation limit is £32 ( rising to £34 in April 2007) that is 100 times the cost of first class stamp.

If your item is delayed by 4 or more days then you will be due 12 first class stamps. Additional delay with some evidence will give you between £5 and £10 for 10 day delay.

If it is agreed that your item is lost, then you will automatically qualify for 12 first class stamps and if you have evidence of value (but remeber exempted items do not qualify) then you should receive a cheque to the items value, up to a maximum of £32. (£34)

You should wait 10 days to make a claim and you have 12 months max. to claim.

A claim form should be available from your Post Office or claim online at - - - .royalmail.com (it is a bit buried) /portal/rm/content1?catId=14000176&mediaId=3100011

There is no guarantee of compensation, and new measures have been introduced which have tightened up the procedure. The post office will now write to the addressee to ask if the item has arrived. If the addressee fails to respond the post office will not automatically refund you, but will probably send another letter to you and then ask you to confirm that you want to proceed with the claim within 5 days.

To insure jewellery and other items of value you will need to send by Special Delivery. This is quite costly at £4.10 (rising in April to £4.40) base price but it is the only secure way with guaranteed compensation. Do not make the mistake of thinking the recorded signed for service will give you any more cover than standard post - it will not - it simply records the delivery and nothing else.