About Freight Insurance Coverage
It is best practice to talk with a freight agent and discuss the details of your shipment and your needs for freight insurance coverage. You and your freight agent will work together to decide what extent of freight insurance coverage you may need. Additionally, a freight agent will be able to provide you with recommendations for how to proceed and will inform you of what is insurable under FreightCenter’s insurance partners. This way, you can rest assured knowing you’ll be covered in the unfortunate event that something happens to your freight.
When booking an LTL shipment online, you will simply be asked if you would like to add insurance. Remember, certain items may not be insurable. Below are types of insurable items and types of not insurable items.
Types of Insurable Items:
- Non-perishables
- TV’s – professionally packaged or in original box
- Business goods shipping from residential
Types of Not Insurable Items:
- Cell phones
- Boats
- Yachts
- Computers and related electronics
- (more)
Track a Shipment
Enter your Priority 1 Bill of Lading number (BOL) to see the status of your shipment!
Carrier Liability
Every freight shipment that you book comes with limited liability coverage. The amount of coverage is determined by the carrier and dependent on the commodity type. The limited coverage covers a certain dollar amount per pound of freight, which may offer less coverage than the actual value of the freight.
To make a valid liability claim, the carrier must be at fault for the damaged or lost freight. If damages occurred from inadequate packaging, loading errors, or weather-related instances, the carrier is not responsible or at fault for the damage. In addition, any damage must be noted on the delivery receipt, or else the carrier will deny liability instantly.
What may be considered Loss and/or Damage?
In order for a loss and/ or damage claim to be considered for recovery under the applicable Policy of Insurance, the following must be present:
1. The nature of the damage/ loss must be physical:
- Theft, non-delivery, rough handling and exposure to moisture are examples of physical damage/ loss.
- Loss of Market of Delay during transport are not physical losses.
2. Damage / loss must be external:
- Damage / loss caused by an inherent vice of the cargo would not come under the scope of a typical cargo policy.
- Internally caused loss usually involves food stuffs which over-ripen or go bad due to their nature rather than an external cause.
3. Non-Delivery/ Shortage of Goods:
- Promptly notify all concerned parties that the goods have not been received and request that the goods be traced.
- If approved, our policy states that the material must be lost/missing for 180 days before the insurance will issue a refund.
4. Concealed Damage:
- When loss or damage is not discovered until the shipment has been completely unpacked or opened, a written claim must be filed against the carrier for loss or damage within strict time limits. This notification must be within 5 days from the date of delivery of the shipment. By failing to do so, the carrier is effectively relieved of liability for the damage or loss.
**For concealed carrier claims, carriers are not required to pay for concealed damage. If denied, we will request for them to at least pay out 1/3rd of the claimed amount.
**For concealed Cargo Cover claims, it is highly suggested that explicit details are provided as to why it was concealed, why the POD was signed clear, etc.
Assess whether a true total damage / loss of product, or is the product repairable?
What to do notified of Loss or Damage?
1. Prompt Notification of the Loss or Damage
- Upon discovery of the loss or damage, you must immediately notify Gold Coast Logistics.
2. Submit Required Claim Documents and Information
Please include ALL of the following documents, including, but not limited to:
- Detailed claim statement
- Pre-loading Photos (if none are available, please note “no pre-loading photos available”)
- Photographs of any damaged items (including packaging materials and packaging techniques used). We must have pictures of the whole item, plus close-up pictures of any damaged regions on the item.
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Evidence of Insurance
- Repair Statement
- If not available for repair, a statement of non-repairability on company letterhead or by a 3rd party (3rd party must also be on their letterhead)
Salvage/Scrapping value
Replacement part / material information. Replacement invoice and replacement PRO/BOL
Other
- If not available for repair, a statement of non-repairability on company letterhead or by a 3rd party (3rd party must also be on their letterhead)
*The claim request will be rejected if any required documentation or information is excluded.
Valuable Information About
Our Shipping Services
The Class number provided by our GCL Density Calculator is only an estimate and does not take into account the commodity. Morsover, this calculator does not factor in possible liability or handing characteristics of the commodity. Due to these limitations, items shipped that are not clased solely based on density may be more likely to have an incorrect classification.
HOW TO DETERMINE FREIGHT CLASS
In an effort to establish fair measures and standardize freight pricing, the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) created a classification system for every type of freight.
The 18 freight classes are defined with a number between 50 and 500. Below are four things to consider when determining your shipment’s freight class.
1. COMMODITY / DENSITY
Some products have pre defined freight classes. Others are determined by density.
2. STOWABILITY
Difficulty of transporting items due to irregular sizes will result in a higher freight class.
3. HANDLING
Objects that are fragile, heavy, hazardous or require additional handling are subject to a higher freight class.
4. LIABILITY
Products that are easily damaged or that can cause damage to other freight have a higher freight class and may not be covered by the freight carriers liability.
Freight Class | Example Commodities | Density(LBS/Cubic Foot) |
50 | Buts, Bolts, Steel Rods | 50+ |
55 | Hardwood Flooring, Bricks | 35-50 |
60 | Ceramic Tiles, Foodstuff | 30-35 |
65 | Books, Bottled Beverages | 22.5-30 |
70 | Food Items, Paper In Boxes | 15-22.5 |
70.5 | Tires, Bathroom Fixtures | 13.5 – 15 |
85 | Engines, Transmissions | 12 – 13.5 |
92.5 | Computers, Monitors | 10.5 – 12 |
100 | Car & Boat Covers, Wine Cases | 9 – 10.5 |
110 | Cabinets, Framed Artwork | 8 – 9 |
125 | Small Household Appliances | 7 – 8 |
150 | Refrigerators, Freezers | 6 - 7 |
175 | Lighting, Signs | 5 - 6 |
200 | Packaged Mattresses | 4 - 5 |
250 | TV’s, Toys, Pet Products | 3 - 4 |
300 | Wood Cabinets, Glass | 2 - 3 |
400 | Light Fixtures | 1 - 2 |
500 | Ping Pong Balls | < 1 |