Claims Guidelines
What should you do if you find cargo loss/ damage?
Upon opening of the container and making certain that there are damages:
a. Prior to / during cargo stripping:
b. HALT all stripping. Immediately notify / invite the following for joint survey:
local PCM Authorized Personnel;
Insurer’s Authorized Personnel/Licensed Surveyor, (if any);
If you have no insurer, arrange your own cargo surveyor, who is licensed, to inspect the cargo and protect your interest;
Shipper/Seller or their Authorized Personnel, (if available);
In the absence of personnel b & c, a barangay/police official may be invited to conduct an ocular inspection & execute a signed Report bearing their official seal thereon.
Diligently mitigate loss & preserve relevant evidence, by taking clear photo shots of:
Untouched damage item/s whilst inside the van;
Container Van including the van number, while loaded on top of the trailer;
Truck/Tractor head including the plate number with the loaded Van;
Visible defect/s on the container that could have caused the damage.
Cooperate with PCM Express, during investigation, to determine the reason & extent of cargo damage.
b) How do you register your claim?
You must send the full set of claim documents to the local PCM Express office for authentication & its eventual transmittal to our claims department.
c) When should PCM be held liable?
Very often we receive claims based on a standard cover letter suggesting that we are liable without properly outlining the reasons. We require an explanation as to why we are considered liable before we can initiate a review of the claim.
d) What documents are required to file a claim?
Cover sheet/ official claim notification letter stating:
Bill of Lading number;
Container Van number;
Description of the damage;
Itemized justifications for the alleged loss/damage;
Amount claimed.
Original/copy of the Bill of Lading/POD/Waybill (document used to effect delivery).
Claim calculation showing full details of the claimed loss/damage;
Survey/Barangay/Police report with good quality colored pictures;
Original/authenticated copy of the cargo invoice(s) and packing list supporting amounts claimed;
Destruction certificate (where cargo is declared to be a total loss and is subsequently destroyed);
Salvage invoice/receipt (where cargo has been auctioned away or salvaged);
Original subrogation form, properly dated and identifying the insurer;
Other relevant documents as may be required.