Freight Damage Report

Your door arrived damaged.
Here is what to do.

Hide-A-Way Doors will manage the freight claim process on your behalf. Carrier documentation rules and reporting deadlines are strict, so begin with the requirements below before submitting the report.

Review the rulesReport shipping damage
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Concealed damage must be reported within five business days.

The report must reach Hide-A-Way Doors before 5:00 PM Eastern Time on the fifth business day after delivery. The page’s freight requirements do not provide an exception after that deadline.

5business days
Concealed or internal damage

The reporting clock begins on the delivery date

Freight carriers allow a maximum of five business days from delivery to report damage that was not visible when the shipment arrived.

  • Submit the report to Hide-A-Way Doors before 5:00 PM Eastern on the fifth business day.
  • After the reporting period expires, the carrier will assume the damage occurred after delivery.
  • Claims reported after the deadline will be denied by the freight carrier.
  • Hide-A-Way Doors is not responsible for denied freight claims
If damage is visible during delivery: It must be written on the driver’s delivery paperwork before signing. If the shipment is severely damaged, refuse the shipment at delivery.
At the delivery

Protect the freight claim before the driver leaves

The paperwork signed at delivery becomes part of the carrier’s claim record.

1

Inspect the shipment

Look for visible damage before signing the driver’s paperwork.

2

Write it on the paperwork

Visible damage—or possible damage—must be noted on the delivery paperwork before the delivery is accepted.

3

Refuse severe damage

If the shipment is severely damaged, refuse it at delivery rather than accepting it without documentation.

Claim eligibility

Confirm that the carrier’s requirements were followed

You may proceed with the report if:

  • The damage is being reported within five business days of delivery.
  • Damage or possible damage was noted on the delivery paperwork.
  • Or, the shipment was refused because of visible damage.

The carrier will deny the claim if:

  • Damage is reported after five business days.
  • The delivery was signed for without noting damage.
  • The shipment was accepted without documentation.

Why the documentation matters

Every door is inspected, photographed, and securely packaged before leaving Hide-A-Way Doors. Once the shipment leaves the dock, it is in the freight carrier’s legal care under national freight transportation regulations. The carrier becomes responsible for its condition and for handling damage claims.

Hide-A-Way Doors will handle the freight claim process for you. However, if the carrier denies a claim because a deadline or delivery-notation requirement was missed, Hide-A-Way Doors has no legal ability to overturn the carrier’s decision.

What happens next

Submit the information—we manage the claim

Freight claims are difficult to navigate. Hide-A-Way Doors steps in to manage the process once the required report is received.

Step 1Complete the report

Provide the delivery, order, damage, and documentation details requested in the form.

Step 2Information is reviewed

The team evaluates the report and gathers the documentation required for the carrier.

Step 3We handle the claim

Hide-A-Way Doors works through the freight claim process on your behalf.

Shipping damage report

Provide the claim information

Complete every applicable field in the form below. Accurate delivery details and documentation are critical to the freight carrier’s review.

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Freight damage FAQ

Important reporting questions

What is concealed damage?

Concealed or internal damage is damage discovered after delivery that was not visible during the initial external inspection.

How long do I have to report concealed damage?

The report must be submitted to Hide-A-Way Doors within five business days of delivery and before 5:00 PM Eastern on the fifth business day.

What should I do if damage is visible when the truck arrives?

Write the damage or possible damage on the driver’s paperwork before signing. Refuse the shipment if it is severely damaged.

Who files the freight claim?

Hide-A-Way Doors manages the freight claim process on your behalf after receiving the necessary information.

Can Hide-A-Way Doors overturn a denied carrier claim?

No. If the carrier denies the claim because the reporting deadline or documentation requirements were missed, Hide-A-Way Doors has no legal ability to reverse that decision.

Do not wait to report damage

Five business days is the maximum reporting period.

Begin the report as soon as damage is discovered so the required information reaches Hide-A-Way Doors before the freight carrier’s deadline.

Complete the damage report