--- title: "When Your Car Gets Damaged During Transport: What to Do and How to Protect Yourself" description: Car damaged during transport? Learn what to do when brokers like Montway give you the runaround and how Bigfella Auto Express protects customers. image: https://www.bigfellaautoexpress.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/a%20car%20damaged-1.png --- [Skip to content](https://www.bigfellaautoexpress.com/blog/when-your-car-gets-damaged-during-transport-what-to-do-and-how-to-protect-yourself#main-content) [All posts](https://www.bigfellaautoexpress.com/blog/all) September 4, 2025 # When Your Car Gets Damaged During Transport: What to Do and How to Protect Yourself By  Bigfella Auto Express  ·  2 minute read Shipping a car across the country should bring peace of mind—not headaches. But sometimes, things go wrong. One of the biggest concerns customers face in the auto transport industry is **damage to their vehicle** and the runaround that can follow when trying to get it resolved. Recently, a customer shared an experience with Montway Auto Transport where the **roof of their truck was damaged by the carrier Montway assigned**. Even after four days of back-and-forth, the carrier and broker were still **stalling on taking responsibility**. Unfortunately, stories like this are more common than most people realize. So what can you do if this happens to you? And how can you avoid this situation altogether? --- ## Step 1: Document Everything Immediately When your vehicle is delivered, do a **thorough inspection** before signing off on the Bill of Lading (BOL). If you notice any new damage: - Take **time-stamped photos and videos** from multiple angles. - Make sure the BOL reflects the damage in writing. - Keep copies of all pickup and delivery paperwork. Documentation is the number one tool you have to protect yourself. --- ## Step 2: File a Claim with the Carrier’s Insurance Most people don’t realize that brokers like Montway don’t actually move your car. They assign your order to a carrier. That carrier is required to carry cargo insurance, which should cover damages. To file a claim: - Request the carrier’s **insurance certificate** from the broker. - File a formal claim in writing with the carrier’s insurer. - Keep records of every email and call—don’t rely on verbal promises. --- ## Step 3: Escalate If They Stall If the carrier or broker starts giving you the runaround: - **Escalate through the broker’s customer service.** They’re responsible for ensuring their carriers are insured and responsive. - File a complaint with the **Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)**. This gets regulators involved and creates a public record of the issue. - Check your **personal auto insurance policy**—some comprehensive policies cover transport damages. --- ## Step 4: Legal Options If weeks go by with no progress, it may be time to involve a lawyer. The right type of lawyer depends on the size of your claim: - **Transportation or property damage attorney** – for larger claims and insurance disputes. - **Small claims court** – if the damage is under your state’s small claims limit, this can be faster and cheaper. - **Contract law attorney** – if the broker or carrier is flat-out refusing to honor their obligations. --- ## Why This Happens With Big Brokers Large brokers like Montway handle thousands of orders every day. Because they don’t own trucks, they pass your car to a **random carrier**, which may or may not have a strong track record. If something goes wrong, customers can end up stuck between the broker and carrier, each pointing fingers at the other. --- ## How Bigfella Auto Express Protects Customers At **Bigfella Auto Express**, we built our process specifically to prevent this kind of nightmare: - We work only with **vetted, top-rated carriers**. - Customers receive **real-time GPS tracking** so you’re never in the dark. - We offer a **price-lock guarantee**—no hidden surprises. - Most importantly, if something does happen, we don’t leave you stranded. We stay in the loop until the issue is resolved. Your vehicle is more than just a car—it’s an investment, a livelihood, and a part of your life. You deserve a transport partner who takes that seriously. --- ## Final Thoughts If your car gets damaged during transport, don’t panic. Take control by documenting everything, filing a claim immediately, and escalating if you hit roadblocks. And next time you ship, choose a company that puts customers first. At Bigfella Auto Express, we believe in **transparency, accountability, and protection**. We don’t just move cars—we move them the right way. 📞 Need a trusted quote today? Call us at (346) 536-8700 or visit www.bigfellaautoexpress.com. 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