How Montway Handles Damage Claims: A Complete 2025 Guide for Shippers
🚗 Introduction:
Shipping a vehicle across states or coast-to-coast is a logistical feat—but what happens if your car arrives with a dent, scratch, or worse? While most shipments go smoothly, damage can occur during loading, unloading, or transit. That’s why understanding how Montway Auto Transport handles damage claims is critical for any shipper—especially those transporting high-value, classic, or sentimental vehicles.
Montway doesn’t operate as a carrier. It’s a licensed broker, meaning it connects customers with vetted, insured transport companies. So while Montway facilitates the claims process, the actual liability and payout typically fall on the assigned carrier. This guide walks you through every step of the claims process, what’s covered, what’s not, and how to protect yourself before booking.
🧾 Step-by-Step: How Montway’s Damage Claim Process Works
✅ Step 1: Inspect Your Vehicle at Delivery
The most important moment in the claims process is delivery inspection. Here’s what to do:
- Walk around the vehicle with the driver
- Compare the condition against the pickup Bill of Lading (BOL)
- Check for dents, scratches, broken parts, paint damage, or tire issues
- Look under the bumper, around the wheel wells, and near the trunk
- Take high-resolution photos from multiple angles
If you spot damage:
- Note it clearly on the delivery BOL
- Take timestamped photos immediately
- Get a signed copy of the BOL from the driver
If damage isn’t documented at delivery, it’s extremely difficult to prove later. Montway’s support team will ask for this documentation as the first step in any claim.
✅ Step 2: Contact Montway’s Claims Department
Once damage is documented, reach out to Montway’s customer service:
- Call or email their claims team
- Provide your booking number, photos, and the signed BOL
- Request the carrier’s Certificate of Insurance (Montway will provide this)
Montway will initiate contact with the carrier and begin facilitating the claim. They act as a liaison, helping you navigate the carrier’s insurance process.
✅ Step 3: Carrier Response & Liability Review
Montway only works with carriers who carry active cargo insurance, typically ranging from $100,000 to $250,000 per shipment. Once the carrier receives your claim:
- They review the damage report and photos
- Accept or dispute liability
- Coordinate repair or reimbursement if accepted
- May request quotes from approved repair shops
- May reimburse you after repairs are completed
If the carrier disputes the claim, Montway continues to mediate—but resolution may take longer.
✅ Step 4: Resolution Timeline
Most damage claims are resolved within 2–4 weeks, depending on:
- Carrier responsiveness
- Insurance provider processing speed
- Complexity of the damage
- Whether third-party inspections are required
Montway does not pay claims directly unless they are found liable (rare). Their role is to facilitate, not fund.
📦 What’s Covered by Carrier Insurance
Montway’s carriers are required to carry cargo insurance that typically covers:
✅ Covered:
- Exterior damage (scratches, dents, broken mirrors, cracked lights)
- Mechanical damage caused during loading/unloading
- Theft or loss during transit
- Damage from improper securing or shifting during transport
❌ Not Covered:
- Pre-existing damage
- Damage not noted on the BOL at delivery
- Personal items left inside the vehicle
- Interior damage unless caused by carrier negligence
- Damage from natural disasters (unless covered by extended policies)
Always confirm coverage limits before booking, especially for high-value vehicles.
🧠 Real-World Claim Scenarios
🧾 Scenario 1: Minor Dent on Rear Fender
- Noted on BOL at delivery
- Photos taken immediately
- Carrier accepted liability
- Paid $275 for repair within 10 business days
🧾 Scenario 2: Cracked Windshield Discovered Next Day
- Not noted on BOL
- Carrier denied liability
- Claim rejected due to lack of documentation
- Customer paid out-of-pocket
🧾 Scenario 3: Scratched Paint on Classic Car (Enclosed Transport)
- Documented at delivery
- Carrier requested third-party inspection
- Reimbursed $1,200 after 3 weeks
📋 How to Protect Yourself Before Booking
Montway’s claims process is structured—but proactive documentation is your best defense. Here’s how to prepare:
✅ Before Pickup:
- Take 10–15 high-resolution photos of your vehicle
- Include close-ups of bumpers, mirrors, wheels, and paint
- Document any existing damage
- Remove personal items from the interior
- Confirm insurance coverage with Montway’s support team
- Ask for the carrier’s insurance certificate in advance
✅ At Pickup:
- Walk through the inspection with the driver
- Ensure all existing damage is noted on the BOL
- Ask for a copy of the signed pickup BOL
- Confirm estimated delivery window and driver contact info
✅ At Delivery:
- Inspect the vehicle thoroughly before signing
- Take photos again—even if no damage is visible
- Note any issues on the delivery BOL
- Get a signed copy from the driver
- Contact Montway immediately if damage is found
🧾 Common Mistakes That Delay Claims
To avoid delays or denials, steer clear of these pitfalls:
- ❌ Failing to inspect the vehicle at delivery
- ❌ Signing the BOL without noting damage
- ❌ Waiting days to report damage
- ❌ Not taking photos before and after transport
- ❌ Leaving personal items in the car
- ❌ Assuming Montway will pay directly
Montway’s support team is helpful—but they rely on your documentation to advocate effectively.
🧱 Funnel Optimization: How to Use Claims Content in Monetized Guides
If you’re building affiliate content or educational funnels, damage claims are high-conversion topics. Here’s how to structure them:
✅ Content Angles:
- “How to File a Damage Claim with Montway Auto Transport”
- “What’s Covered (and Not Covered) by Montway’s Carrier Insurance”
- “Real Claim Stories: What Happens When Your Car Arrives Damaged”
- “Step-by-Step: Protecting Your Vehicle Before Shipping”
✅ CTA Blocks:
- “Get a Quote from Montway—Insurance Included, No Upfront Payment”
- “Ship Smart: Document Everything and Save on Repairs”
- “Use Verified Carriers Only—Montway Screens Every Partner”
- “Book with Confidence—Montway Facilitates All Damage Claims”
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