Luxury Rosewood Coffins: Is Spending Millions on a Burial Worth It?
**The Prized Rosewood Coffin: A Tale of Luxury, Art, and Risk**
In my 23 years of navigating the world of general insurance, I’ve seen my fair share of unusual cargo. But none were quite as remarkable as the day I was called to insure a shipment of two extraordinary rosewood coffins.
### The April Fools’ Day Call—But This Was No Joke
It all began on an April Fool’s’ morning. My Singaporean partner, Mr. Leong, who typically dealt with used imported tyres, reached out with an urgent request. He needed to help to underwrite a shipment of coffins—no ordinary coffins, but opulent rosewood masterpieces destined for a Singaporean tycoon. Mr. James, a skilled craftsman, crafted the dragon and phoenix on both sides of these coffins. His masterpieces of art were stored in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and awaited our green light to ship them out immediately.
Luxury Rosewood Coffins: Is Spending Millions on a Burial Worth It?
### Coffins as Art—Craftsmanship Beyond Compare
These were not just coffins; they were works of art. Commissioned as a tribute to the tycoon’s elderly parent, the coffins were carved from the finest rosewood, each adorned with intricate dragon and phoenix designs. A team of ten master craftsmen had painstakingly worked for three months to bring these designs to life. The rosewood, sourced from trees over 100 years old, was further enhanced with a touch of gold dust, giving the carvings an ethereal shimmer. The entire process, from sourcing the wood to the final polish. It took the skilled craftsmen six months to complete the masterpiece. The irony? These exquisite pieces were destined to be cremated.
### The Challenge—Insuring the Uninsurable
My job was to insure these coffins against any possible damage. The client had one non-negotiable demand: the exterior had to remain flawless. In their belief, even the slightest scratch was seen as a bad omen, signalling misfortune for the family. This condition made Vietnamese insurers hesitate. But I accepted the challenge.
Luxury Rosewood Coffins: Is Spending Millions on a Burial Worth It?
### Preparing for Perfection—A Seamless Journey
To ensure these coffins arrived in perfect condition, I laid out a meticulous plan:
– **Detailed Inspection:** A Swiss cargo surveyor was hired to inspect the packaging and record detailed video footage of the carvings before shipment.
– **Wood Verification:** A dendrochronologist provided a report verifying the rosewood’s age, ensuring it was indeed over 100 years old.
– **Protective Packaging:** The coffins were encased in double-layered corrugated boxes with styrofoam inserts to absorb shocks. They were then wrapped in airtight plastic to prevent moisture damage.
– **Professional Handling:** Experienced handlers were employed to supervise the loading process, ensuring the coffins were placed securely in the container.
– **Foam Padding:** To avoid any movement during transit, the gaps in the container were filled with protective foam padding.
Given the craftsmanship and the client’s demands, the declared value was increased by 30% to S$2.6 million for insurance purposes.
Luxury Rosewood Coffins: Is Spending Millions on a Burial Worth It?
### Comprehensive Policy Coverage
The insurance policy I crafted was equally detailed, covering:
– **ICC “A” Clause:** Comprehensive marine insurance.
– **Constructive Total Loss:** Coverage in the event the container was submerged.
– **Loading/Unloading:** Protection during these critical phases.
– **Hijacking and Armed Robbery:** Particularly for the high-risk areas near the Southern Philippines and Indonesia.
– **Strike, Riot, and Malicious Damage:** Additional protection against civil unrest.
– **Warehouse-to-Warehouse:** Coverage from the moment the coffins left the workshop until they arrived at the final destination.
– **Scratch and Dent Coverage:** Specific coverage for any damage to the coffins’ delicate carvings.
Luxury Rosewood Coffins: Is Spending Millions on a Burial Worth It?
### The Unthinkable—A Scratch at Customs
Despite all the precautions, disaster struck during the Singapore customs inspection. A handler, perhaps careless or simply unlucky, pierced the double-layered packaging with a long knife, leaving a noticeable scratch on the dragon head carving.
### A Claim Filed—And Settled
Thankfully, the pre-shipment video proved that the coffins were pristine before departure. Armed with this evidence, I filed a negligence claim against the freight forwarder. Given the agreed-upon value policy, the client received a settlement of S$1.3 million, minus the deductible, accounting for the salvage value of the damaged rosewood.
### A Reflection—The Cost of Luxury
As I closed this case, I couldn’t help but reflect on the lengths some go to for their final resting place. A rosewood coffin is more than just a burial vessel; it’s a statement of wealth, a testament to craftsmanship, and, in this case, a symbol of filial piety. But in the end, is it worth it to invest so heavily in something destined for six feet underground?
Luxury Rosewood Coffins: Is Spending Millions on a Burial Worth It?
One notable incident occurred in October 2019 when Typhoon Hagibis, a powerful storm, swept through the South China Sea and surrounding areas. The typhoon, known for its destructive force, was responsible for the sinking of the Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel “Jianfu Star.”
The vessel was en route from Indonesia to China when it encountered the typhoon’s fury off the coast of the Philippines. Battling violent winds and towering waves, the Jianfu Star was overwhelmed, leading to the ship’s capsizing and eventual sinking. Tragically, 13 crew members were reported missing, and despite search and rescue efforts, the majority were never found. This incident highlights the perilous nature of maritime navigation in the South China Sea, especially during typhoon season.
A powerful storm swept through the South China Sea, creating treacherous conditions for maritime vessels. The storm, which recorded wind speeds exceeding 100 knots, generated towering waves and reduced visibility to nearly zero. Several ships in the region, including cargo vessels and fishing boats, were caught in the storm’s path, leading to significant delays, re-routing, and, in some cases, distress calls. The storm’s intensity disrupted shipping lanes, with many vessels seeking shelter in nearby ports, underscoring the unpredictable and hazardous nature of marine adventures in this volatile region.
Insuring your cargo has never been more crucial, especially in light of the recent impacts of global warming. As climate change intensifies, we’re witnessing an increase in the frequency and unpredictability of severe weather conditions. From violent storms in the South China Sea to sudden shifts in temperature, these environmental changes pose significant risks to maritime transport. Uninsured cargo is vulnerable to damage, loss, or delays, potentially resulting in substantial financial losses. In today’s volatile climate, comprehensive cargo insurance is not just a precaution—it’s a necessity to safeguard your assets against the unforeseen.
### Sharing the Tale
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