Claim window
The claim window is the time allowed to give notice of damage and to file the claim. Contracts often print a short note period on the delivery bill of lading. Federal law also sets a minimum period for the claim itself. Read both.
Key facts
The sources are listed on this page.
The claim window is how long you have to speak up. Many auto transport contracts tell you to note damage on the bill of lading at delivery, and some add a short period for damage you could not see. The exact days are in your contract. There is no single industry number. Do not borrow a deadline from a forum post.
The federal floor
For a carrier covered by 49 USC 14706, the statute says the company may not provide a period of less than 9 months for filing a claim, or less than 2 years for a lawsuit after it disallows the claim in writing. A sentence that gives you less time to file the claim is a legal problem, not a courtesy. Noting damage at the curb and filing the formal claim are often two steps. Do the curb note anyway. It is the evidence. Whether a particular short clause is void is a question for a lawyer. This page is not that opinion.
What to do the day the car arrives
Inspect before you sign. Write the damage on the delivery copy. Photograph the panel and the VIN. Send the claim to the carrier on the bill of lading, and keep proof of when you sent it. RideShipper does not extend or close this window.