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4 key types of freight claims

When you ship items whether they are across the country, from Perth to Melbourne, or across the world to Los Angeles, you want protection. You want insurance on your cargo that will protect you should anything happen to the shipment. This is the reason you will more than likely choose to have insurance on your shipment, to protect you and your items. There are four basic types of freight claims which can be made should your cargo fall victim to issues while in shipment.

  • Damage – This might be the claim filed most often. If your cargo gets damaged in some way during shipment you can file a claim. If you plan to file a damage claim the damage must be visible on the delivery and noted as such. Be sure to have the proper documentation before trying to file.
  • Loss – This particular claim happens in the shipment doesn’t make it to the destination. You must have your original bill of lading as evidence that the shipment was, in fact, picked up and never made it to the destination.
  • Shortage – This is pretty self-explanatory as well. This type of claim can be filed if parts of the shipment have not been delivered. This can occur if something slips out of the package or falls off the skit while in transport. Again, to file this claim you need accurate and detailed documentation to show the correct amount of product wasn’t the amount that arrived.
  • Concealed Damage or Shortage – This type of issue occurs when you check in the shipment and sign the POD stating everything was there and in the proper condition, but then when you open the shipment or begin to unpack you realise you are missing parts or that other parts are damaged. This is why it is vital you check the shipment thoroughly before signing off on the POD. This might be the toughest claim to file because once you sign that the shipment was delivered the burden of proof falls to you.

While things happen and that is just a given in life, knowing you can file a claim is misfortune should befall your shipment can help offer a certain peace of mind, so be sure to know your rights and responsibilities when it comes to proper shipping of products.