3 Freight Claims Tips to Ensure you Get the Full Amount Paid

Many freight businesses unknowingly make costly mistakes when handling cargo damage claims. However, most of those mistakes can be avoided by following a specific process. By doing so, they can also ensure that the carrier accountable pays the freight claim. To help you get the best damage claim, we have compiled a list of a few things you should do:

Take immediate action and record the damage

As soon as you get to know about the damage, examine the damage accurately and record it. Also, note the damage or shortage on the Bill of Lading (BOL) and this involves every missing or damaged cargo. Though noting exception on the BOL doesn’t ensure that you will get the best cargo damage claim, if there are no exceptions on the bill, your claim lawyer can be in a difficult situation to effectively collect make the claim.

Keep the Freight

There’s no denying that the damaged freight isn’t of much use for you but never discard the damaged freight till the time the cargo damage claim has been resolved to your satisfaction. This doesn’t mean that you need to secretly store it in your warehouse because the carrier involved has full right to inspect the damaged freight. In addition to this, the carrier also has the right to salvage or take in charge of the freight if they paid the full claim. However, if you choose to get rid of the damaged freight, you may result in reducing the amount of claim or getting denied altogether.

File the cargo damage claim ASAP

According to a few rules, the carrier must acknowledge a claim within a month of when the damaged happened. A final disposition should be given in writing within 3 months. The claimant then has 2 years and 1 day to discuss the damage. This is why the sooner you file the freight damage or chargebacks, the sooner this timeline begins.

However, U.S.C. 14706 does not mention a 9-month limit. Those are generally by tariff or contract. What USC says is that you can not impose a time limit less than 9 months to file a cargo damage claim. If the carrier is a contract carrier, which is generally the case, and does not choose to publish a tariff and also, you have no contract mentioning the 9-month limit, then you have no restriction on filing a freight claim according to U.S.C. 14706.

In a nutshell 

If you have experienced freight damage and looking for a cargo damage claim, make sure you avoid common mistakes by considering the aforementioned tips.

Author’s Bio: The author is a blogger and this article is about cargo damage claim.