Specialized Transportation Inc (STI) Shipping damaged my K1200LT

[jaw94087]

Any advice from fellow netizens on handling an insurance claim involving JC Motors and Specialized Transportation Inc is appreciated. In May I contracted with JC Motors who used Specialized Transportation Inc to ship my 2007 K1200LT from the Miami area to Northern California. When I picked the bike up, I inspected the bike for damage, but did not notice that the upper support brackets to the windscreen had been pulled loose from the tracks. I noticed the damage while riding home when I raised the windscreen. It appears that while loading the bike on a pallet, someone pulled forward on the windscreen and pulled the brackets from the track. I reported the issue by phone within an hour of getting home. I followed up with a written claim the next day.

My BMW repair shop estimates the damage at around $1200. The high-cost is in part because the damaged tracks are integrated with the servo motor that operates the windscreen on the LT. The issue is that Specialized Transportation Inc has rejected the claim. I received a letter indicating that the claim was rejected because the exception was not noted during the pick up. Because of the nature of the damage, it was not easily noticed until the windscreen is operated. Furthermore, it appears that whoever damaged it, tried to hide the fact by pushing the brackets back in place.

On trying to follow up with Specialized Transportation Inc, they have refused to answer my emails. Furthermore, I have contacted JC Motors who claim there is nothing they can do and also assume no responsibility. Consequently, I am looking for other avenues to resolve this issue.

Jim

[Lonewuff]

Get a lawyer and save yourself the trouble.

[KMC1]

Your only option is to sue on this one, IF you are going to try to get the money from them.
The other possible option is to put a claim through on your homeowners or your regular insurance policy. Since it was not an motorvehicle accident that caused the damage, you most likely will not be penalized for the claim - the first time. HTH

[hallzee]

Any advice from fellow netizens on handling an insurance claim involving JC Motors and Specialized Transportation Inc is appreciated. In May I contracted with JC Motors who used Specialized Transportation Inc to ship my 2007 K1200LT from the Miami area to Northern California. When I picked the bike up, I inspected the bike for damage, but did not notice that the upper support brackets to the windscreen had been pulled loose from the tracks. I noticed the damage while riding home when I raised the windscreen. It appears that while loading the bike on a pallet, someone pulled forward on the windscreen and pulled the brackets from the track. I reported the issue by phone within an hour of getting home. I followed up with a written claim the next day.

My BMW repair shop estimates the damage at around $1200. The high-cost is in part because the damaged tracks are integrated with the servo motor that operates the windscreen on the LT. The issue is that Specialized Transportation Inc has rejected the claim. I received a letter indicating that the claim was rejected because the exception was not noted during the pick up. Because of the nature of the damage, it was not easily noticed until the windscreen is operated. Furthermore, it appears that whoever damaged it, tried to hide the fact by pushing the brackets back in place.

On trying to follow up with Specialized Transportation Inc, they have refused to answer my emails. Furthermore, I have contacted JC Motors who claim there is nothing they can do and also assume no responsibility. Consequently, I am looking for other avenues to resolve this issue.

Jim
While this is a situation that sucks for you, it has provided a great lesson for all of us - TEST EVERYTHING on your bike before signing off for receipt of shipment. Thanks for posting this, and most importantly good luck in getting the b**tards!

[yair1956]

...as much as its painful & frustrating, legally it's your word against there. The rule of "Customer be aware" means that it is your responsibility to inspect prior to assuming possession. Try your insurance, I think you got better chances with them.

[jayjacobson]

Another example of a company loosing a customer for life and getting bad press that will not help future revenue.

Just take them to small claims court. All the judge can do is rule against you.

[DavidTaylor]

Any advice from fellow netizens on handling an insurance claim involving JC Motors and Specialized Transportation Inc is appreciated. In May I contracted with JC Motors who used Specialized Transportation Inc to ship my 2007 K1200LT from the Miami area to Northern California. When I picked the bike up, I inspected the bike for damage, but did not notice that the upper support brackets to the windscreen had been pulled loose from the tracks. I noticed the damage while riding home when I raised the windscreen. It appears that while loading the bike on a pallet, someone pulled forward on the windscreen and pulled the brackets from the track. I reported the issue by phone within an hour of getting home. I followed up with a written claim the next day.

My BMW repair shop estimates the damage at around $1200. The high-cost is in part because the damaged tracks are integrated with the servo motor that operates the windscreen on the LT. The issue is that Specialized Transportation Inc has rejected the claim. I received a letter indicating that the claim was rejected because the exception was not noted during the pick up. Because of the nature of the damage, it was not easily noticed until the windscreen is operated. Furthermore, it appears that whoever damaged it, tried to hide the fact by pushing the brackets back in place.

On trying to follow up with Specialized Transportation Inc, they have refused to answer my emails. Furthermore, I have contacted JC Motors who claim there is nothing they can do and also assume no responsibility. Consequently, I am looking for other avenues to resolve this issue.

Jim

Not that this helps at all, but Specialized is taking the stance of every shipper in the business. The policy they are stating should be pringted in the insurance information they provided. I had a similar situation with Federal Van Lines a few years back. We noticed some damage on the trunk (requiring replacement of the top half of the case) when the bike was dropped off and they jumped right on it and got it fixed. But about 6 hours after they dropped the bike off I noticed another scratch on the saddlebag, contacted them, and they wouldn't touch it. I even explained the bike was still at the shop where they dropped it off but they said there's no way for them to know if the damage happened after they left if it[s not noted at drop time.

As for JC Motors, of they were a go between in this deal somehow and made a nickel on it, they have to carry some liability in this. I think it's lawyer time.