The Immediate Response
The moment a reefer unit fails or a temperature excursion is detected, the driver is required to notify dispatch immediately. A good carrier has a 24/7 breakdown line specifically for this, and the priority is getting a repair technician or a swap trailer to the truck as fast as possible — every hour matters for temperature-sensitive freight.
How Product Loss Is Assessed
Once the truck reaches its destination — or in serious cases, before, if the load has to be inspected roadside — the receiver or a third-party inspector checks product condition and temperature logs pulled directly from the reefer unit's data recorder. This data is what determines whether the load is a total loss, a partial loss, or still sellable.
Who's Actually Responsible
This is where contingent cargo insurance matters. The carrier's own cargo insurance is the first line of coverage, but if that claim is denied, delayed, or insufficient, a broker's contingent cargo policy is what protects the shipper from being the one who absorbs the loss.
What a Shipper Should Actually Do
Get the reefer's temperature log data as part of any claim — it's the primary evidence. Document product condition with photos at delivery if there's any doubt. And work with a broker who tracks temperature in real time during transit, so a problem is caught in hours, not discovered at delivery.
IZY Logistics is a licensed freight broker (MC #1615290) serving shippers across the United States. Get a competitive quote in under 30 seconds.
Get a Free Quote →Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a reefer trailer breaks down during my shipment?
The driver notifies dispatch immediately, and the carrier works to get a repair technician or replacement trailer to the truck as fast as possible to minimize temperature excursion time.
Who is responsible for product loss from a reefer failure?
The carrier's cargo insurance is typically the first line of coverage. If that claim is denied or insufficient, a broker's own contingent cargo insurance can cover the gap.
How is product loss from a reefer failure determined?
Temperature log data pulled directly from the reefer unit's data recorder, combined with physical inspection at delivery, determines whether the load is a total or partial loss.
Does IZY Logistics track reefer temperature in real time?
Yes. We use GPS and telematics tracking that includes temperature data, so a problem can be caught and addressed during transit rather than discovered at delivery.
What should I do if I suspect a temperature excursion happened?
Request the temperature log data as part of any claim, and document product condition with photos immediately at delivery if there's any doubt about quality.
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