How automation and API integration optimize LTL Claims Management

Each year, billions of dollars in freight claims are filed against Less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers - for lost or damaged goods, overcharges and return authorization (RA) cases. For major carriers, this can amount to tens of thousands of claims annually, each requiring detailed processing and adjudication with the shipper.

Due to the nature of LTL shipping - which involves multiple handling points - claims are far more common than in full Truck-load (TL) shipping. As a result, many LTL carriers dedicate entire teams to manually inputting claims data, a process that not only consumes valuable labor hours but also introduces a high risk of human error.

Streamlining the process with Claims Management

Infios's Claims Management solution was built to address these challenges, offering carriers a faster, more cost-effective way to manage claims. The platform automates manual data entry from emails, faxes and spreadsheets by auto-populating claim forms. It also centralizes recordkeeping and generates actionable reports to help identify and address the root causes of claims across the organization.

Why LTL claims integration matters

LTL shipping is a cost-efficient way to move bulky freight - typically between 150 and 15,000 pounds - by consolidating loads from multiple shippers. But when claims arise, resolving them manually or via a basic TMS module can be frustratingly slow and inefficient.

Without seamless integration between systems like accounts payable, transportation management and claims departments, delays are inevitable. This lack of real-time data sharing leads to longer investigation times, slower response rates and inconsistent communication.

Furthermore, the absence of integration can cause serious financial discrepancies - such as mismatches between claim amounts and payouts - impacting financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting; Duplicate payments, missed credits or refunds and overpayments are just a few of the risks.

Infios's Claims Management addresses these challenges by interfacing via API with accounts payable and transportation management software to automate much of the claims/payment process.

It creates an experience that benefits both LTL carriers and LTL shippers by:

• Scheduling and automating labor-intensive activities.
• Creating a centralized document repository.
• Streamlining, automating and saving all communications.

How freight claims integration works with Infios

Through API calls to your LTL carrier's TMS, Infios Claims Management pulls out all relevant shipment information, including pickup/delivery time, pallet quantity, shipment class & weight, charges and delivery instructions. This information auto-populates into a claims form.

This eliminates the hassle and time involved in manually filling in a PDF form, which has to be scanned and sent, then manually processed on the carrier end.

With Infios Claims Management, shippers simply visit the LTL claim portal to:

1. Edit product information on the claim.
2. Attach supporting documents (bill of lading, receipts, etc.).
3. Send it.

They can then track the status of claims directly within their TMS. The electronic paper trail eliminates errors and improves the auditing process.

Through the API connection, our Claims Management solution streamlines your LTL claims processing by automating shipment data extraction into the claims portal. This reduces administrative costs and improves the accuracy and efficiency of your claims management.

By centralizing all claim-related data, you can handle claims more efficiently and gain better insights into freight operations, reducing the number of open claims.

Our Claims Management solution integrates with many major carriers to facilitate direct online claims filing, including:

• XPO Logistics
• Maersk (Pilot Freight)
• Frozen Food Express
• Fusion Transport
• The Custom Companies
• The Radiant Companies
• BTX Transportation
• Leonard's Express
• Averitt Express
• Estes Express
• Southeastern Freight Lines
• Old Dominion Freight Lines

Infios is working with UPS Supply Chain Solutions and SAIA to integrate our Claims Management solution File Online feature via APIs.

Infios LTL integration success stories

The Custom Companies, a regional LTL carrier with operations in the Chicagoland and Los Angeles areas, had an extremely cumbersome claims process. It involved manual data input from emails and faxes into its TMS and a separate claims management module, then uploading it into a file system. Users had to constantly go back and look at old correspondence in the file-share system to figure out where they left off with a particular claim.

With Infios Claims Management, The Custom Companies found an end-to-end claims management system tailor-made for carriers.

The "quick claim" feature allowing shippers to submit information eliminated a lot of time-consuming, costly back-and-forth to verify data. And Claims Management auto-generated status letters meant no more custom tailoring responses as new information came in.

Also key: The Custom Companies moved 3 staff members from the tedious task of handling 2,700-3,000 claims per year to executing work with greater organizational value.

Another Infios customer is a large international multi-modal carrier that increased the percentage of electronic claims filed from 25% to 75% by using our Claims Management technology. Workforce savings followed. In addition to automating the freight claims process, the solution's reporting feature allowed the company to better assess liability and risk across multiple terminals.

LTL Freight claims optimized through automation

With all the complexities and costs associated with running your LTL trucking operation, continuing to rely on a manual LTL freight claims process simply doesn't make sense. This old-school method is too error-prone and too costly to justify from both budget and manpower perspectives.

Infios’s solution eliminates all that. The fast and easy integration between TMS and AP systems streamlines your claims process. The AWS Cloud platform ensures a highly secure environment.

Implementation of the File Online feature of Claims Management is free for customers and carriers. Key benefits include a fast, intuitive claims filing process, a reduced administrative workload, faster claims resolutions, improved accuracy and greater transparency.

Visit our ROI calculator  for a quick, two-question quiz to estimate your cost savings using our freight Claims Management solution.