Your Carrier Owes You Money.
We Make Sure You Get It.
When freight arrives damaged, or doesn't arrive at all, most shippers fight the carrier alone, wait months, and settle for less than they're owed. TLI's claims team handles the entire process for you, from first notice of damage through final settlement check.
Freight Claim Services
From Start to Settlement
How TLI Handles Your Freight Claim
Our cargo claims specialists are here to help you navigate the claims process effectively. But why partner with TLI? Let’s take a look at how we support you in resolving cargo claims quickly and effectively:
1 Document the Damage.
When a shipment arrives damaged or short, have your receiver note the damage clearly on the delivery receipt before signing. Photos help. Then notify TLI immediately as timing matters. Some carriers impose strict deadlines (concealed damage must typically be reported within 5 days).
2 TLI Files the Claim.
Send us your original invoice or purchase order. We pull the Proof of Delivery, Bill of Lading, and all the carrier documentation needed to build and file your claim. We know what carriers look for, and what they try to avoid paying.
3 Cash the Check.
TLI contacts the carrier directly, manages all follow-up, escalates when needed, and negotiates the maximum settlement under applicable law, including the Carmack Amendment, the federal statute that governs carrier liability for interstate freight. When the claim is resolved, the recovery settlement goes straight to you.
Freight Claims Are Time-Consuming, Technical, and Easy to Lose
Most shippers don't realize how easy it is to leave money on the table when filing freight claims on their own.
Carriers have experienced claims adjusters whose job is to minimize payouts. They'll cite packaging deficiencies, documentation gaps, missed filing windows, and liability caps, all legitimate tools to reduce or deny your claim. Without someone who knows the process on your side, you may recover only a fraction of what you're actually owed, or nothing at all.
TLI's cargo claims specialists have managed hundreds of claims across LTL and truckload carriers. We know the deadlines, the documentation requirements, and the regulations, and we leverage it all to maximize your recovery.
LTL Freight Claims
LTL shipping involves your freight moving through multiple carrier terminals, which increases the risk of damage, shortage, and loss. Industry estimates suggest as much as 3.5% of LTL freight sustains damage in transit, and in a high-volume shipping operation, that adds up fast.
TLI specializes in LTL cargo claims management. We handle the full OS&D (overage, shortage, and damage) process: verifying the delivery exception, building the claim file, filing within carrier deadlines, and following up until settlement. We also explain every step so you're never in the dark about where your claim stands.
Truckload Freight Claims
Truckload cargo claims are less frequent than LTL, but when they happen, the dollar amounts are typically larger. All carriers in TLI's vetted network carry a minimum of $100,000 in cargo insurance, giving you a baseline of protection before a claim is even filed.
When a truckload claim does occur, TLI manages carrier communication, documentation, and negotiation, the same end-to-end process we apply to every claim in our system.
Want to Reduce Claims Before They Happen?
The best claim is one that never gets filed. TLI works with shippers to identify packaging weaknesses, receiving process gaps, and carrier performance trends that drive repeat damage. We also offer TLI Advantage+, our integrated cargo insurance solution built into ViewPoint TMS, so shippers can declare full value of their cargo and get coverage beyond standard carrier liability at the moment they book the shipment.
Freight Damaged. Carrier Unresponsive.
We've Seen It Before.
TLI has recovered over $1.2 million in cargo claims for shippers in a single year. Our team knows the process, knows the carriers, and knows how to get you paid. We have been at this since 1994, and do a great job supporting your logistics team.
More Ways TLI Protects Your Freight Spend:
Freight Audit
Carriers and LTL billing systems make mistakes, and shippers usually pay for them. TLI audits every invoice for errors, duplicate charges, and overcharges before they hit your books.
Mode Optimization
Not every shipment belongs on an LTL truck. TLI evaluates each load against available modes: LTL, volume, partial, and truckload, and routes it the way that saves you money without sacrificing service.
ViewPoint TMS
TLI's proprietary TMS gives you real-time shipment visibility, BOL creation, claims submission, and freight history all in one place, without paying for a standalone TMS license.