How to File a Freight Insurance Claim: Step-by-Step Guide

Freight insurance and carrier liability are not the same thing — and confusing them is one of the most expensive mistakes shippers make.

Carrier Liability vs Cargo Insurance

Under the Carmack Amendment, carriers are liable for actual loss or damage — but they can limit liability through their tariff, often to $0.10–$2.00 per pound. On a 500-lb shipment of electronics worth $50,000, that's $50–$1,000 in carrier liability. Cargo insurance covers the actual value of the freight.

Types of Cargo Insurance

All-risk policies cover loss or damage from any external cause. Named peril policies cover only specific listed events. Full value replacement pays invoice value. Know what your policy covers before a claim — not after.

How to File the Claim

Step 1: Document damage at delivery — photos, written exceptions on the POD, retain all packaging. Step 2: Notify your insurance carrier within the policy's reporting window (typically 24–72 hours for visible damage). Step 3: Submit a written claim with photos, POD with exceptions, original invoice, and repair estimate or replacement cost.

IZY Logistics Claims Support

IZY Logistics maintains records of every load — BOL, rate confirmation, POD, carrier insurance certificate. We provide all documentation needed for claims and advocate directly with carriers on your behalf.