Freight Sidekick LogoFreight Sidekick

Freight Claims, Handled for You

Something went wrong with your shipment? Tell us what happened and hand us the paperwork — we prepare the claim, file it with the carrier, and stay on it until it's resolved.

What is a freight claim?

A freight claim is a formal demand for payment from the carrier that hauled your shipment, made when freight is lost, damaged, or delivered short. It's a legal process governed by federal interstate rules and the carrier's own tariff — with real deadlines, required documentation, and a defined settlement window. Claims fall into four types:

Damage
Freight arrives broken, crushed, torn, or wet — and the damage is visible at delivery. Note it on the delivery receipt before signing.
Loss
The shipment (or part of it) never arrives. For lost freight, the claim clock runs from the date delivery was scheduled.
Shortage
Fewer pieces arrive than the BOL shows. Count freight at delivery and note any shortage on the receipt with the driver present.
Concealed damage
Damage discovered after the driver leaves, once the freight is unpacked. The tightest deadline in freight: report it within 5 days.

LTL and truckload claims work differently

The deadlines above apply to both, but the paperwork, the liability math, and where the claim gets filed differ by mode.

LTL claims

LTL freight moves through terminals with multiple handlings, which is why most freight claims are LTL claims. The claim is filed with the LTL carrier on their form, referencing the PRO number.

Recovery is capped by the carrier's rules tariff — a per-pound liability limit that varies by carrier and freight condition, and often sits far below the freight's value. See the per-carrier liability limits for the actual numbers.

Truckload & partial claims

Truckload freight rides one trailer door to door, so claims are rarer — but larger. The claim runs against the carrier's cargo policy (typically $100,000) under federal interstate liability rules, supported by the BOL rather than a tariff form.

Shipments with full-value coverage added at booking include a per-shipment certificate, and the claim runs through the coverage provider instead — not capped at the carrier's policy terms.

The claim timeline

Freight claims run on fixed clocks — two deadlines for you, two for the carrier. Miss yours and even a legitimate claim can be declined.

  1. Day 0

    Delivery — inspect before signing

    Count pieces and check condition while the driver is there. Note any loss, shortage, or damage on the delivery receipt — a clean signature makes every later step harder.

  2. 5 days

    Concealed-damage window

    Damage found after delivery must be reported within 5 days. Unpack promptly, photograph everything, and keep the freight and packaging for inspection.

  3. 9 months

    Formal claim deadline

    The written claim, with supporting documents, must reach the carrier within nine months of delivery — the minimum window federal rules require interstate carriers to allow.

  4. 30 days

    Carrier acknowledgment

    Once filed, the carrier must acknowledge receipt of the claim within 30 days and assign it a claim number.

  5. 120 days

    Resolution

    The carrier must pay, decline, or make a firm settlement offer within 120 days of receiving the claim — or keep reporting status at regular intervals until it's resolved.

What a claim needs — and who handles what

A complete documentation package is the single biggest factor in how fast a claim resolves. You gather the evidence; we do the rest.

Documentation checklist
  • Signed BOL / delivery receipt — with the loss, shortage, or damage noted at delivery whenever possible
  • Original vendor invoice showing the cost of the goods
  • Photos of the damage — and of the packaging, especially for concealed damage
  • Repair estimate or replacement-cost documentation
  • Paid freight bill or PRO number, plus the carrier's inspection report if one was performed
We handle
  • Preparing the carrier's required claim form — you never touch it
  • Filing with the carrier (or the coverage provider, for insured freight)
  • Tracking the 30-day acknowledgment and 120-day resolution clocks
  • Following up with the carrier's claims department
  • Keeping you updated until the claim is paid or resolved
You handle
  • Noting loss or damage on the delivery receipt at delivery
  • Reporting problems promptly — concealed damage within 5 days
  • Keeping the freight and packaging available for inspection
  • Providing the invoice, photos, and repair or replacement estimates

Need to start a claim?

Contact our claims team with your shipment number and what happened — we'll take it from there. The earlier you reach out, the more options you have.

Email the claims team (877) 345-3838

Freight claim FAQs

How long do I have to file a freight claim?
Formal claims must be filed within nine months of delivery (or of the scheduled delivery date, for lost freight) — the minimum window federal rules require interstate carriers to allow. Concealed damage is much tighter: report it within 5 days of delivery. Start the claim as soon as you discover a problem — evidence is freshest and the deadlines take care of themselves.
Do I need insurance to file a claim?
No. Every shipment moves with the carrier's included liability, and a claim against that liability requires no insurance. But carrier liability is limited — especially for LTL, where rules tariffs cap recovery at a per-pound amount. Full-value coverage, added when you quote, is what closes that gap for freight worth more than the carrier's limit.
What if the damage was concealed and I didn't see it at delivery?
Concealed damage — discovered after the driver leaves — must be reported within 5 days of delivery, so unpack and inspect freight promptly. Photograph the problem as soon as you find it, and keep the freight and all packaging: the packaging is often the strongest evidence in a concealed-damage claim. Late reporting is the most common reason this claim type gets declined.
Do I have to fill out the carrier's claim form myself?
No — that's the point of filing through us. You tell us what happened and provide the documents; we prepare the carrier's required claim form, file it, and manage the follow-up. You never have to touch a carrier PDF or chase a claims department.
How long does it take to get paid?
Federal rules require the carrier to acknowledge a claim within 30 days and to pay, decline, or make a firm settlement offer within 120 days of receiving it. Clean, well-documented claims often settle faster; disputed ones can run longer, with the carrier required to report status along the way. Complete documentation up front is the single biggest factor in a fast resolution.
What if the carrier denies my claim?
A denial isn't necessarily the end. Many denials come down to missing documentation or a deadline question and can be rebutted with a stronger evidence package. We review the denial reason and help you respond — and when a shipment carries full-value coverage, the claim runs through the coverage provider instead of being capped by the carrier's tariff liability.
Should I refuse a damaged shipment?
Usually no. Accept the freight, note the damage in detail on the delivery receipt before signing, and photograph everything. Refusing delivery can add storage and return charges and rarely strengthens the claim. Refuse only when the freight is a total loss or unsafe to accept.
How much will the carrier actually pay?
Claims are valued at your cost — usually the invoice value of the goods — not retail price. For LTL, recovery is also capped by the carrier's rules tariff: a per-pound limit that varies by carrier and can sit far below the freight's real value. Our LTL liability guide lists 21 carriers' current limits with tariff citations, and the freight insurance calculator estimates your exposure in seconds.

Freight Sidekick is a licensed freight broker, not a motor carrier. Assistance with claim preparation and filing is provided as a service and is not an assumption or admission of liability for loss, damage, or delay caused by a motor carrier or other third party. Claims are paid by the responsible carrier or coverage provider under their applicable terms.

Protect the next shipment before it ships

The best claim is the one you never file at full exposure. See what the carrier covers — and close the gap in one step when you quote.

How your freight is protected