The sad experience of Ken Danckaert does indeed make for sorry reading.
Clearly the problem must be resolved at the UK end.  This is where the
insurance contract was purchased.  One cannot but feel sympathy for
Ken, whatever the rights and wrongs -- he has done nothing untoward,
yet has a virtually worthless piece of merchandise for which he cannot
obtain any satisfactory recompense.

Indeed, he is GBP500 poorer.  He has paid up in good faith, and relied
upon a dealer to discharge professional obligations in an honourable
and equitable manner.  He should at least have the right to return the
goods (at his own expense) and expect a refund.

I sympathise with Brian Chesters to some extent -- clearly he has tried
hard to arrange a satisfactory solution in terms of the insurance
aspect, but equally clearly the onus was upon him to secure the goods
properly and to ensure adequate cover in the first place.

If he can clearly show that the error on insurance value was the fault
the shipping agency, and they still refuse to increase their offer, then
an approach to the Insurance Ombudsman ought to have some effect before
court action becomes unavoidable.

The addresses of the relevant organisations are:

  The Insurance Ombudsman Bureau
  City Gate One
  135 Park Street
  London
  SE1 9EA

  The Association of British Insureres
  Consumer Information Department
  51 Gresham Street
  London
  EC2V 7HQ

Roger Waring

 [ Ken Danckaert says that the complete text of his letter is now at
 [
 [    http://research.umbc.edu/~kend/mmd.html
 [
 [ -- Robbie