I was clear in logic (if not in documentation once Bitcoin-Central got a hold of it) that Instawallet was not a satisfactory solution for 'long terms storage of signifiant[sic] amount', but that was more due to the 'significant amount' aspect of things. The solution was never marketed as anything but an ideal solution for long term storage of insignificant amounts, and I have no trouble imagining many people with limited attention doing so. In fact, certain development efforts revolved around creating Instawallet account and funding them on the behalf of others.
I happen to be one of the examples for that, which so happens to be the reason i don't even know the exact balance i have lost on this ordeal, through no fault of my own, except, maybe, of being overly trusting. Hopefully, i have wisened by now.
I consider the coins lost, because i managed to both miss the deadline for claims and not have any proof, cryptographic or otherwise, for actually owning the wallet. One would hope that sending the request from one's
personal email box, from his
own private domain, signed by his
own GPG key would have some weight, but since i have got no reply whatsoever, it's hard to have any illusions.
One would also hope that the company in question will at least have the decency to use the bitcoins amassed from this operation on some sort of charity.