TERMS AND CONDITIONS

FB Ensure Guarantee: FB Ensure guarantees to reimburse you for the full value of your claim, minus the amount paid out by the Carrier.
Carrier Compensation: Carriers generally offer compensation based on the weight of your damaged or lost items, rather than their actual value, which can pose a significant risk to the customer without FB Ensure. Each Carrier has different maximum liability limits, which may or may not be included in the shipping cost.
FB Ensure Pricing: Freight Buddy reflects the Carriers' varying coverage policies in the cost of insuring the full value of your claim. Our pricing is competitive, providing you with peace of mind when shipping your items.
Claim Process: Freight Buddy will provide assistance with documentation and guidance, but we ask customers to file the claim directly with the Carrier. The shipper will have the best assurance for full compensation of both the actual damaged freight but also the full transaction value of the shipment itself (in most cases if Freight Buddy files the claim, the Shipper will only receive FB’s wholesale freight reimbursement amount versus the full retail amount that you paid). Please refer to Freight Buddy's step-by-step guide below to properly submit a claim first with the Carrier and then with Freight Buddy.
FB Ensure Liability Rule: Freight Buddy is not liable if the Carrier does not accept liability for damaged or lost items and does not pay the shipper. The Carrier must accept liability for the damaged or lost item(s) for Freight Buddy to pay out our end to the shipper.
Claim Disputes: As a third party, Freight Buddy has limited ability to influence the Carrier or third-party inspection company utilized in determining the Carrier’s liability or to make determinations regarding claims and the final compensation amounts decided by the Carrier. Claims are best resolved directly between the shipper and the Carrier.
Delayed Payments: Payment of freight charges may not be delayed due to alleged loss or damage. Your claim will not be processed without full payment of your invoice. Without payment of the freight charges, the transportation contract has not been completed and thus the claim may not proceed with the Carrier.
Status of Claim: Carriers have up to 30 days to acknowledge the receipt of the claim, and it can take up to 120 days to settle a claim.
Declared Value and Class: Shippers are responsible for accurately declaring the value and freight class of the items they are shipping. Freight Buddy is entitled to deduct the amount reimbursed if the value of the claim exceeds the value of your insured item(s) inputted into Freight Buddy’s website or a improper freight class is inputted.
Maximum Freight Buddy Coverage: $15,000 per claim.
For more information: Visit our Claims tab for more guidelines regarding filing a claim with the Carrier and Freight Buddy, and for information about NFMC classification.
Contact: Email: claims@freightbuddy.com or call 800-578-6009.

STEPS TO FILE A CLAIM WITH CARRIER AND FREIGHT BUDDY

Gather adequate evidence of damage caused by Carrier. Required documents are outlined in Claims tab. Carrier specific claim requirements may vary.
Send evidence directly to Carrier NOT Freight Buddy. Freight Buddy advises shippers to file a claim directly with the Carrier for maximum efficiency and reimbursement. FREIGHT BUDDY WILL NOT PROCEED WITH CLAIM IF CARRIER DOES NOT ACCEPT LIABILITY.
If claim is accepted by Carrier send the following to claims@freightbuddy.com

Receipts of reimbursement from Carrier
Claim documents sent to Carrier

Once the documents are received, Freight Buddy will cover the total value of the claim minus the amount paid out by the Carrier via CC credit or account credit. Please allow up to 14 days for us to process and pay out our portion of the claim.

Damaged Freight

It has been said: An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure - the best defense is to always properly package your shipment. However, despite our best efforts damage does sometimes happen, Freight Buddy is your advocate and will help guide you through the claims process.

RULES OF THE ROAD

As a third party, Freight Buddy has limited ability to influence the carrier or third-party inspection company utilized in determining the Carrier’s liability or to make determinations regarding claims and the final compensation amounts decided by the carrier.

While Freight Buddy is happy to provide you assistance with claim documentation and guidance, we ask the shipper to file claims directly with the carrier. The shipper will have the best assurance for full compensation of both the actual damaged freight but also the full transaction value of the shipment itself (in most cases if Freight Buddy files the claim, the Shipper will only receive FB’s wholesale freight reimbursement amount versus the full retail amount that you paid).

Payment of freight charges may not be delayed due to alleged loss or damage. Your claim will not be processed without full payment of your invoice. Without payment of the freight charges, the transportation contract has not been completed and thus the claim may not proceed with the Carrier.

Carriers have up to 30 days to acknowledge the receipt of the claim, and it can take up to 120 days to settle a claim. If your chose to have Freight Buddy file a claim, we will promptly reimburse you once funds have been received from the Carrier.

Your shipments are subject to the terms and conditions of the Carrier’s rules tariff. For additional information, please also reference the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) Rules Regarding Claims. If you would like to calculate the class of your freight shipment use a class calculator: https://www.freightclasscalc.com/calculator.php

I HAVE A CLAIM - NOW WHAT?

Collect all supporting documents outlined on the right. Having all of these documents ensures minimal delay and maximum compensation for the damage.

WHEN AND WHERE TO FILE A FREIGHT CLAIM

Claims should be filed promptly once loss or damage is discovered. Links are found below for carrier claim forms.

As always, it is best if the receiving party (Consignee) notates damage on the bill of lading or shipping receipt before signing any document provided by the Carrier’s driver.

If the shipment appears damaged beyond repair, the Consignee should refuse the shipment before the driver leaves.

Once the damage has been notated either at the time of delivery or after the driver has already left, the shipment must be left unaltered and quarantined until such time it has been inspected by the Carrier or designated authority or the Consignee has been given specific instructions from the Carrier on how to proceed.

LINKS TO FILING CLAIMS DIRECTLY WITH CARRIER

ABF: https://arcb.com/tools/claims.html

CCFS: https://ccfs.com/claims' target=_new

DAYTON: https://www.daytonfreight.com/wpcontent/uploads/2018/04/ClaimFormPrint.pdf

ESTES: https://www.estes-express.com/resources/claims-information

FEDEX: file.freightclaim@fedex.com

MAGNUM: https://magnumlog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2022-Magnum-Claim-Form.pdf

Pitt Ohio: https://pittohio.com/mypittohio/ground/about/claims

R&L: https://rl-cdn.com/docs/rlc/shipping-forms/freight-loss-claim-form.pdf

SAIA: https://www.saia.com/tools-and-resources/documents

XPO: https://app.ltl.xpo.com/appjs/claims-external/claim-entry

FREIGHT BUDDY ENSURE

Freight Buddy now offers additional insurance for your shipments - ensuring the full value of your cargo if its lost or damaged in transit. Check it out when submitting your quote!

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

BILL OF LADING AND DELIVERY RECEIPT Signed Bill of Lading and Delivery Receipt should be submitted to provide proof of shipment and /or proof of loss or damage
ORIGINAL INVOICE A complete original invoice with date of sale, shipper Information, sold to Information, detail of product sold and total of original sale.
REPAIR INVOICE (If applicable) When submitting a repair invoice, include a breakdown of hours, labor rate and materials.
THE FREIGHT BILL: Copy of the PAID Freight Invoice paid for the claim shipment-Your claim will not be processed without payment of the freight bill
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SHORTAGE OR DAMAGE Include a detail of the damage to the freight and list of all items to be included in the claim
PHOTOS OF SHIPMENT/DAMAGE Include any photos of the items prior to shipment, packaged for and ready for shipment and all photos of the damage to the items.

DISPOSITION OF DAMAGED FREIGHT

Damaged goods must be retained until the claim is resolved, or until the claimant is given disposition by the carrier.

STATUS OF CLAIM

Freight Buddy will keep our customers informed of the status of the claims process as the carriers give updates to the claim.

Carriers have up to 30 days to acknowledge the receipt of the claim, and it can take up to 120 days to settle a claim.

Loss and Damage Claims Form

Was delivery receipt annotated as damaged?

No Yes

Claim Submitted By Date Submitted Contact Phone Number Carrier Name Contact Email PRO Number

Shipment Date Delivery Date Claim Reason

Sender

Name Address Shipper Email Shipper Phone

Consignee

Name Address Consignee Email Consignee Phone

Claimed Items

Qty	Item Description	Damage Description (use Note Section for Detail)	Unit Price	Amount	NMFC Code	Class Code	Weight







					TOTAL CLAIM

Claim Description in Detail

Documentation Requirements

MUST ATTACH DOCUMENTS

Select ALL files needed before submitting

Bill of Lading click to upload
Delivery Receipt click to upload
Invoice copy. The invoice MUST be the original Sales invoice, with Date of purchase, Invoice Number, and detail of Items on shipment. click to upload
Repair Estimate click to upload
Freight Invoice click to upload
Photo of clear damage to all items click to upload

Upload Files