insurance and shipping with UPS

UPS does advertise themselves as Packing Experts.  From the UPS website:  

Trust The UPS Store Certified Packing Experts®

• Let our packing experts do the job for you so your items arrive safely and intact
• We are trained in advanced packing techniques like block and brace, double box, and suspension
• We can pack almost anything

We specialize in properly packing fragile and high-value items like artwork or electronics.

The Pack & Ship Guarantee may now be extended to include coverage for USPS® and DHL® shipments.†

If a participating The UPS Store® location packs your item using only new materials purchased at that participating location, and ships the package via UPS, USPS, or DHL (on that participating location’s applicable UPS, USPS, or DHL account) and that item is damaged or lost in transit, you’ll be reimbursed*:      

• The item's value (subject to the lesser of actual value, replacement or repair cost)
• The full retail price you paid for packaging materials and services
• Your cost for shipping (excluding Declared Value charges or costs for Insurance as applicable)

I am not sure on what basis UPS is denying your claim.  Does your receipt indicate that UPS packed the amp

When I went into UPS I requested double boxing and they stated it wasn't necessary They claimed to have special boxes for shipping heavy, fragile items. I spent a half hour there explaining the fragility and cost of the amplifier. I thought okay, they are the experts. I think resolution depends upon the particular UPS franchise that one deals with. I paid an additional $200 for 'insurance.'  From what I've read it's not really insurance anyway. It's declared value, which is the maximum liability the franchise will provide. I've challenged corporate on this issue and they have no response. I guess real insurance would effect their bottom line too much. Almost as bad, my home owners insurance wants to pick up the amplifier and attempt to have it repaired. If you saw the amplifier, even if repaired, I wouldn't sell it to anybody. It's a Levinson 432, and the entire outer casing has been crushed. The face plate has come off. The handles on the back are bent.

OP - Can you go back to the UPS location and get names of employees you dealt with that day who made the assurances you note above?  A small claims suit may not be able to provide sufficient monies to compensate you for the value of the destroyed amp.  So you might check that first in your locality.  If the amount is sufficient, then take it to small claims and have the names of who told you what at UPS.

Based on your 10:50 AM post above, I can't see how you wouldn't win that battle. Once they receive notice from the local magistrate that a suit has been filed they may change their tune and pay up rather than appear with a losing case in court.  Good Luck!🍀

I concur with Hifiman5,
File a suit in small claims court. If they don't show up, you will win. If they do show up, present your evidence. I am not a lawyer, but I think you have sufficient claim.
B

I want to let everyone know that I spoke with UPS and they settled the claim in my favor. I haven't received a check yet. I didn't mention that my wife, who happens to be an attorney, had e-mailed a letter to the franchise owner letting him know that a lawsuit would be pending unless the issue was resolved. Thirty hours of aggravation, a wonderful amplifier destroyed, and probably two months will have gone by the time I'm compensated. The buyer went way out of his way to help me, taking pictures, and actually speaking with UPS several times on his own initiative.  What I've learned from this is that it's imperative to find a UPS franchise that you feel comfortable with. Talk directly with the owner. Let him inspect the packaging and sign off on it. Secondly, even if one does their own boxing, UPS will go out of their way to find some sort of flaw with the packaging. I actually think that the amplifier was properly packaged. Unfortunately, it was dropped off a truck. Unless one gets some sort of certification from UPS that your audio equipment was packaged properly, or even if they packaged it; Beware. What I've learned? There has got to be a better way. At any rate, thanks for all the help and encouragement. I'll let you know if and when I get compensated.