Damage Claim question

I'm new to the board, so sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong area.

I was hoping to find some help on filing freight claims with LTL shippers in general. Seems like they all hide under the "100 rules tariff" when it comes time to pay a claim- so they they only pay something like $5 or $10 per lb. Normally this amount might be ok, but I have a particular product that weighs under 1 lb and is appx $25 my cost.

I've been getting the run-around from a particular LTL shipper and was hoping to get some advice on this board, since some of you work for an LTL shipper or have more experience dealing with them than I do.

In case of damage or loss by the LTL shipper, what is the best way to get the full value (or close to it) of my product reimbursed? Just FYI there was no "limit of liability" section on the BOL.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Friend of the frog]

Why in the world would you ship something that ways less than a pound with an LTL carrier ???

Sounds a bit fishy.

I should have clarified, this light weight item is adhesive that is purchased seperately and goes along with slabs of surface material. Single slab is approx 400lbs, 1 adhesive per slab. Purchased seperatly, but go together.

[Friend of the frog]

Again, with all do respect something is not adding up.

Are you saying that they damaged the adhesive only, or did they lose the adhesive only ??

There are a lot of variable that come into play such as your relationship with said carrier and previous claim history. Was the DR noted at the time of delivery, if not how long before it was reported to the carrier.

The limited liability is normally a last line of defense for the carrier. We only use it when we do not WANT to work with a customer, it can and usually worked around rather easily. Give me more specifics and I can help you.

[sparky]

All carriers limit there liability. Freight with LTL carriers regulate there liability by class and weight. You should be able to get the liability the carrier assumes off of the back of the B/L or by calling customer service. Air Cargo Carriers are similar. They do insure for higher values but you pay for the insurance. Anyway you go you pay more in freight charges if you want to insure your shipment for more than what the carriers liability is. There may be ways to insure your own shipments or there may be LTL carriers that insure. Basically you need to understand the liability the carrier assumes and if that does not cover it ask if you can insure for more, what the insurance coverage will cost. Than decide if it is worth paying for or just risk shipping anyway.

[Apostolic]

I'm a trucker thats been driving a city route for 15 different LTL freight trucking company over my 44 year trucking carrer.
The only way you'll get full value on any smallier claims is to insure your freight in transit.
I'm working for UPS Freight at this present time.
They have a way of wording all of their damage exceptions to devalue their liabilty on any damage.
In the past more open notations could be written on freight bills to cover damage by the trucking companies.
But now days they try to be a specific as they can to the actual damage to the freight they'er hauling.
Which a whole case may be crushed,containing say 12 boxes.
they want to know how much of the contents was lost.
Maybe you only sell case lots.
But we have to say how many boxes,also what was the loss inside any of the boxes.
So it comes down to a very small dollar amount for claims,which because of the less cost may not be honored.
So the only way I can see for you is that you should pay for insurance to cover any loss you may have in damages,by your trucking companies.
This is the way I see it from the eyes of an old trucker.