At Alaska Traffic Company we are proud of our reputation for minimizing damage or
loss to freight in transit. However,
we realize that from time to time there will be damage or loss whether the fault
of Alaska Traffic or the other carrier(s) that may be involved in the movement of
your product. With this in mind, the
following information is meant to assist all parties in reaching a solution as quickly
as possible. These procedures are based
on Federal Regulations related to the handling of freight claims for loss and damage.
It is the responsibility of the consignee, per Federal Regulations, to inspect their
shipment upon receipt and note any discrepancies.
Damage to freight that is visible at the time of delivery is referred to
as VISIBLE damage. Damage that is not
visible at the time of delivery is referred to as CONCEALED damage.
Please do not sign a delivery receipt "subject to inspection" as
this is not a valid notation and will not be considered when investigating the claim.
1. If your shipment is short or damaged
upon receipt at your facility:
Write up very specific notations describing the damage or shortage on the delivery
receipt at the time of delivery while the driver is still there and take pictures
if possible. Then proceed as directed
below.
2. If you discover your shipment is
damaged after you open the packages:
Call Alaska Traffic at 1-800-888-3534 or 425-282-6610 and request a freight inspection. (Please tell us if the damage was VISIBLE
or CONCEALED.) Depending on the value
of the goods, we may choose to waive the inspection or we will arrange for someone
to come to your location to inspect the goods.
If we waive the inspection, we will fax you a copy of the waiver for your
files.
As much as possible, leave the product intact and be certain to
retain all product and packaging material;
this is very important.
Do not destroy any packaging.
Please do not make any repairs to damaged merchandise without
prior written authorization from
Alaska
Traffic.
Once the inspection is complete or we have determined that the shortage will not
clear, please complete a Claim for Loss or Damage and mail or fax it with all supporting
documentation to Alaska Traffic Consultants.
PLEASE NOTE THAT
ALASKA
TRAFFIC COMPANY MUST BE NOTIFIED OF
CONCEALED DAMAGE WITHIN 5 DAYS OF DELIVERY.
ALSO, PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU EVER RECEIVE ANY GOODS THAT ARE NOT FOR YOUR ACCOUNT.
In the event that you receive a shipment that is damaged or short, the following
information may be helpful:
• Please fill out
the standard claim form as completely as possible.
Please call us should you require a blank claim form or have any questions.
• When
completing the claim form, you are the claimant and Alaska Traffic Company
is the carrier. (Please
file all claims with Alaska Traffic Company)
•
The following supporting documentation should be attached to the claim:
An original or certified copy of the bill of lading
An original or certified copy of the invoice (from your vendor)
A copy
of the paid freight bill
A copy
of the delivery receipt
A copy
of the inspection report if an inspection was done (or a copy of the waiver of inspection)
Any other
particulars (such as photographs) which support the claim
•
Mail the completed form and attachments to:
Alaska
Traffic Company
Attn:
Claims Department
PO Box
3837
Seattle
,
WA
98124-3837
• Please keep copies of everything
for your records.
• Under
current regulations, the claimant is required to mitigate the claim to the
fullest extent possible. In other
words, the claimant must reduce the cost of the claim in any way they can.
For example, if a damaged item can be repaired, then it should be
repaired and the claim is for the reasonable cost of repairs.
If a damaged item can be discounted and sold, then the claim is for the
difference between the amount it was sold for and the actual cost of the item.
Repairing and discounting apply only if this results in less cost than
replacing the goods.
• If items
cannot be repaired and a claim is paid, the subject items become the property of
the carrier paying the claim. Do not
discard salvage without written release by the carrier.
• Invoices
for freight charges related to shipments involved in a claim must be paid prior
to concluding the claim.
• Alaska Traffic Company
has 30 days from receipt of your claim to send you an acknowledgment or, in lieu
of an acknowledgment, to conclude your claim.
• You are free to call, fax
or write to us at anytime for an update as to the progress of your claim.
PLEASE NOTE THAT CLAIMS FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE MUST BE FILED
WITHIN NINE MONTHS OF THE DELIVERY OF THE FREIGHT OR IN THE CASE OF SHORTAGE, WITHIN 9 MONTHS AFTER A REASONABLE TIME FOR DELIVERY HAS ELAPSED.
Click here to download claim form
SERVING ALASKA FOR OVER 60 YEARS
