Look in the archives. This issue has been discussed extensively. The answer lies in US Sales law, which says that unless the parties contract otherwise, the risk of loss stays with the seller until the item is delivered to the final location (your mailbox). If it never arrived, and you didn't agree to bear the risk of loss, or bear the risk of loss after the item was posted, then the seller bears the risk. It's basic law. Buying or not buying insurance does not transfer the risk of loss on its own.

I hope that's helpful.

Michael Siskin