J&S Transportation Damage Claim Policy

While damage during an auto transport is rare (less than 1%), it does happen. If your vehicle is delivered with damage, the first thing we need to determine is if the damage was pre-existing or if it occurred during the transport. If it is determined that the damage occurred during the transport, then you will be covered! This page outlines our damage claim process and how damages will be covered if they occurred as a result of the transport.

    • If you believe damage occurred during transit, you will need to start the claims process within 3 days of your vehicle being delivered by notifying our dispatchers at (406) 500-2999. Please have your order# ready for them so they can reference your transport.
    • Next, you need to take detailed photos of the damage as well as a photo of the entire vehicle and email them to: damage@jandstransport.com. It is crucial that you email these photos at full resolution. Please reference your order# in this email. At this point our Damage Claims Manager will begin the process to determine if damage was the result of the transport.
    • Once you have emailed your photos and order#, our Damage Claims Manager will review your photos and any other information available to determine if damage occurred during transport. It is very important that you do not begin any repairs until you hear from our Damage Claims Manager!
    • If damage is determined to have occurred during the transport, an estimate of repairs is required on all vehicles prior to starting repair work. Damage claims will be reviewed with all documentation and estimates for the best cost and quality in as timely a manner as possible. Repairs are not to be started until the damage claim estimate is approved by our Damage Claims Manager.
    • Any damage claim that has had no response from a customer for over 30 days will be filed without further action and no payment will be issued for anything extending over 30 days.
  • J&S Transportation is not responsible or liable for claims of the following nature:
    • Damage caused by leaking fluids, battery acids, cooling system solutions, industrial fall-out or fall-out resulting from Acts of God. Acts of God are to include, but not limited to, sandstorms, hailstorms, wintertime conditions, tornadoes and hurricanes.
    • Articles left in vehicle (i.e. after market stereos, phones, personal items). We do not do a condition report of the interior of the vehicle, nor do we take inventory of any personal items in the vehicle.
    • Damage or loss of loose parts or special equipment when not listed on the Bill of Lading and/or when not properly wrapped, stored or secured as to prevent loss or damage.
    • Toppers on trucks, tonneau covers, truck bed accessories, hard tops on Jeeps, or convertible tops on any type of vehicle are not covered. They need to be secured properly or removed for transport.
    • Mechanical malfunctions, exhaust assemblies, alignment, suspension or tuning of engine, because inspections of these items are not practical at the time of shipment.
    • Auto rental accruals will not be honored.
    • Damage caused by freezing of cooling system and/or batteries, protection from freezing will be furnished by and at the expense of the shipper.
    • Damages to the exterior of a vehicle where the paint is not broken, paint scrapes 1″ long or less or an isolated “chip” in the paint, or paint swirls, chips in windshields of older model cars (5 years or older), flat tires or missing hubcaps.

All of the policies and procedures listed above are subject to change with the approval of J&S Transportation Claims Manager.