Local PO compensation information seems wrong

[sholland]

Today i posted a few items at local PO.
I had an ISF parcel to Japan, with correct declared contents value on customs £58.
I asked for it to be sent as ordinary signed for with the compensation limit at £50, costing additional £5.00. I was prepared to take the hit for £8 rather than pay extra £2.50 assuming if item was lost i could still claim only the standard £50.
I was told I had to pay for upto £250 compensation at an additional £2.50 charge or else if any claim at ordinary £50 level insurance signed for, it would be TOTALLY declined.
I asked, if the value were £51.00 I would I still have to insure to £250 and pay £2.50 extra for 1 pound extra cover. The answer, YES.

I was also told that inland values of contents above £20 also had to be fully insured, or again, a ZERO payout.
I was told all this was in the RM T&C, which I cannot find regarding my specific point made.

I always thought (and have used for 10 years +)the standard compensation level (was £50 until a while back, now £20) was payable. eg, currently an item value £25 sent second class, lost, I can only expect £20 maximum.
This assumes the claim is submitted with all evidence. I am also aware compensation is at discretion of RM and not an automatic right.
Thanks for reading, anyone know if what I was told is correct?
Any help appreciated
sholland

[sholland]

Update.
I called at a different post office today, told them of my previous experience yesterday. They said the information I was given was totally wrong. A £50 insured item IS insured to £50 max, even if item is worth more.
They think I was asked to pay more as a "sales boost" to enhance the turnover at the particular office.
So, I have contacted RM customer service and await their reply.
If it IS true that I was told a complete lie, by the assistant and also the manager there, I will definitely take matters further.
Watch this space....
sholland

[Minischoles]

The tracked international services all offer a basic leve of £50 plus your postage (no postage for damage or part loss though). If your item is worth more than that, tough luck.

What the Post Office told you is a complete and utter lie.

[sholland]

Thanks Minischoles, that is exactly how I had always accepted it. That is why I only wanted the £50 cover and would have taken the loss myself (tough luck!) for the extra few pounds rather than pay another £2.50 for cover to £250. Will wait for email from CS.
Kind regards, sholland

[sholland]

UPDATE. As I thought, CS also agrees with me.
However, another PO in a local supermarket disagreed with me today!!
So, out of 3 local PO, 2 say no, 1 they say YES! Some may say, only use the good ones then. But, isn't it a National service?
You would think that Post Offices, with the help of Royal Mail would all sing from the same hymn sheet, rather than rip off customers!
But, a variation of rules can then make them more £££!
BTW, I do think that this is all down to each local counter staff interpretation and is not the policy of RM.
sholland