What is a freight claim?
A claim is a written request for reimbursement for loss or damage to a shipment. A claim should describe the manner in which the goods are damaged or lost and should include an itemized list of product damage/loss and its cost and/or cost incurred to recoup or salvage.
Where can I find the Mothership freight claim form?
If your shipment is lost or damaged, please submit a claim from the claims section of your dashboard, located in the left-hand navigation menu. You'll be able to search for your recent shipments using either delivery dates, shipment numbers, or locations.
Additionally, when searching for a shipment, you can use the MS# or specific shipment details to locate the relevant record quickly.
Once your shipment is selected, indicate whether it was partially damaged or lost or whether the entire shipment was completely damaged or lost, and select "Create claim draft."
Use the search function to input the MS# or shipment details, simplifying the process of locating the correct shipment record.
From there, you'll need to provide the following information:
Damaged Freight
Detailed photos of freight at pick up (if available)
Detailed photos of the damaged freight or equipment upon delivery
A detailed description of the incident and damage (e.g. number of boxes or pallets, value of items)
Commercial invoice
Any salvage/repair information- Upload all supporting documents in PDF format. Other formats (e.g., XLSX, DOCX, TXT, TIF) are not accepted.
Ensure invoices are in English and expressed in USD denominations.
For itemized claims, list items individually with details such as the item's name, cost per item, and weight per item. Costs should reflect the wholesale or manufacturer value.
Include an invoice for salvage or repair values, in English, summarizing the repair or salvage value in USD. Note that salvage value will affect the total claim amount, and repair value will adjust the claim to that amount.
Concealed Damage
If no damage was visible at the time of delivery but found after breaking down the freight, known as concealed damage, please report this to Mothership as soon as possible. The carrier may refuse or deny claims if concealed damages are not reported within 3-5 days following the delivery.
Lost Freight
Detailed photos of freight at pick-up and inventory list of shipped (if available)
A detailed description of lost items (e.g. number of boxes or pallets, value of items)- For photos, acceptable formats are JPG, JPEG, PNG, or HEIC.
If submitting videos, email them to [email protected] with the shipment number in the subject line to ensure proper identification.
Once you have filled out this form, we will file a claim with the carrier or with the independent contractor's insurance on file to resolve your case.
You'll receive email updates from us when the status of your claim changes, and you can always revisit the claims section of your dashboard for the latest updates.
How quickly should I follow a claim?
Claims should be filed in a timely manner to allow inspection, salvage, mitigation, and investigation of the damage or loss before change in the condition of the product or claim situation occurs. Although a claimant has at least 9 months from the date of delivery to file a claim with the carrier, prolonged filing times prohibit a thorough review of all aspects of the claim, so we urge the claim to be filed as quickly as possible. A claim should be filed for all lost and damaged freight. It is important to mark the proof of delivery when damage, or suspected damage, has taken place.
Does the timeline differ when freight is lost vs. damaged?
When freight is lost, the Mothership team will notify you immediately after we are made aware. We then immediately contact all terminals involved in the shipment and send out a notification with a description of the missing freight. We pass along the claim form to the customer if the freight is lost for 2 days. On the 5th day, Mothership considers the freight lost and requests the customer to file a claim.
What does the claims process look like, and how long does it take?
Upon notification of loss/damage, Mothership will conduct a review process with the underlying carrier and associated facility, requesting all documentation. The customer will complete the Claim Form, then Mothership will submit the entire claim to the carrier & respective insurance provider for review. The carrier will review and research the shipment to identify the validity of the claim. The carrier is legally required to conclude the claim in 120 days.
What if my claim is denied?
If additional information becomes available after a claim is declined, Mothership will file a rebuttal on your behalf.