That sucks hal... was the outer box damaged or did they just throw it around until the statue within broke?
Every time I use UPS, I see that opening scene from Ace Ventura in my mind.
shudder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q6_9A90cUk
Good luck man. I had this happen with a bust fifteen years ago... they denied the claim at first but I appealed (with help of the print station that shipped it for me). The amount was considerably less than what you're facing. Do they still have an appeals process?