As a general rule of thumb, the typical freight damage claims filing process takes about two hours. Freight claims technology quickly alleviates that process and its cost.
After all, if an employee makes $10 per hour, that is an extra $20 expense on every process affecting freight claims. This scenario indicates a legacy process, requiring manual submission of an initiated claim, which ultimately detracts from what matters: spending more time with your customer.
As such, shippers and logistics service providers (LSPs) need to know a few things about how freight claims automation can finally overcome this obstacle and enable optimization in claims processes too.
Why Do Legacy Freight Damage Claims Technology Processes Cost So Much
Legacy freight claims technology is a bit of a misnomer. By definition, legacy capabilities rely on manually-intensive processes. In other words, shippers have to physically enter the data, recognize when claims occur, collaborate with carriers, and process paperwork. Manual processes can be burdensome and often costly.
Meanwhile, any problem within the freight claims process, such as an incorrect data point, could result in additional delays and denial of the freight damage claims. In today’s world, rejection is tantamount to never receiving reimbursement in the first place, primarily since many carriers operate on specific timelines for the submission and approval of such claims. However, modern freight claims technology is changing the process entirely.
Advancements Within Freight Management Technology Have Automated Claims Processes
Automation is a groundbreaking advancement in supply chain management, reducing or eliminating redundant, repetitive processes, especially in freight claims management.
Further, the typical causes of damage and invoice errors are relatively simple and replicable. In other words, freight claims management is ripe for automation, allowing a transportation management system (TMS) to share data automatically with a carrier and submit freight claims. Some instances may require manual initiation.
However, the distinction lies within a TMS capable of bringing that information to the forefront of the supply chain manager’s workload and ensuring all claims are filed correctly and with the appropriate carrier or LSP.
That has a tremendous effect on reducing the total time it takes to process a claim and reducing the burden on carriers and LSPs that need to process those claims.
Implement a Connected, Advanced TMS to Move to an Optimized Freight Claims Process
While there are many opportunities to improve the freight claims process, including and using real-time sensors, push notifications, chatbots, and other capabilities to connect with consumers and understand when issues arise, there is a common thread. All the information needs to be contained and accessible within a single resource, such as a cloud-based TMS.
For instance, MercuryGate’s TMS works directly with advanced freight damage claims capabilities to reduce the burden and empower all users with easy-to-access workflows and instantaneous freight filing capabilities. That is the crux of it all. A world-class, best-of-breed TMS is the essential step in leveraging freight claims technology in the modern world.
Put Your Advanced TMS to Work by Partnering with MercuryGate Today
The best-laid plans for reducing freight damage or loss claims should always consider how an organization will address damage issues.
In an ideal world, freight damage would never occur. This is anything but a perfect world. It is a better option for shippers and LSPs to stay prepared and ready to improve freight damage processes when damage occurs.
