In February I shipped a pin from MN to Calgary, AB and it cost me $500.00 Cdn. The default insurance was $2.50 per pound or something on a 300lb listed shipment which only covered me for $ 750.00 US. Now I was shipping a pin I just purchased for $6500.00 USD.

For curiosity, I asked the carrier how much it would cost for an extra $5000.000 coverage and if memory serves it brought the bill to around $1400 for freight. I decided not to. If it was the first time I ever sent a pin or wasn't sure how it was packed... maybe I would have done that. However, this was the third pin I shipped and didn't have problems before (same carrier) and the guy I bought it from packed it awesome. Stern box on a pallet, tied down and reinforced. Short of falling off a dock or running forks through it, it was pretty secure (or short of someone stealing it).

I'm not sure where I was going with that. I guess a) most carriers already offer the option of extra insurance, b) I think one could even call their home owner insurance for options (though I never have) or c) a lot of people just roll the dice and hope it shows up as expected. Given how much is shipped daily and worldwide, probably only a small percent of shipments end in claims.

To answer your question, I think it depends how much 'a little more' actually is.