Damaged the Drive Shaft of my vehicle

Eddy Submitted this review about AutoStar Transport Express
Review made Live: 1/24/2012 11:38:00 PM
YOU MAY BE WONDERING WHY I RATED THIS COMPANY WITH 5 STARS...I DIDN'T...IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER WHAT YOU RATE THE COMPANY, IT GETS FIVE STARS. SO, PLEASE UNDERSTAND, I WOULD NEVER USE AUTOSTAR AGAIN.

The carrier (Ernie's Transfer of Arizona) secured by AutoStar Transport:

1) cinched my vehicle to the transport vehicle utilzing the drive shaft of my truck. This required replacement of the drive shaft and renting a car for the better part of a week
2) had let their insurance lapse, therefore, a claim could not be filed with the actual carrier that damaged the vehicle. Since my contract was with AutoStar Transport, I have no choice but to seek compensation from AutoStar as I have no relationship, contractural or otherwise, with Ernie's Transfer. It was AutoStar's contractural obligation to use a carrier covered by insurance.

Kari Cinker, customer service for AutoStar, is very helpful, knowledgeable and responsive. She was able to get to the bottom of the non-insurance issue quickly and initially guided me through filing a claim with the insurance broker for Ernie's Transport.

It is the responsibility of someone in a decision making capacity at AutoStar to respond to our request for reimbursement. I have filed a complaint against Autostar in small claims court. The damages will grow as court costs and attorney's fees are added.

If anyone out there finds that Ernie's Transfer of Arizona is tranporting their vehicle, stop the transfer. They are not knowledgeable enough to know that you can't secure a vehicle with the drive shaft. I was sceptical about Ernie's from the beginning,and should have listened to my negative feelings about Ernie's. However, this is what Autostar is paid to do as a broker...pick reliable carriers.

YOU MAY BE WONDERING WHY I RATED THIS COMPANY WITH 5 STARS...I DIDN'T...IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER WHAT YOU RATE THE COMPANY, IT GETS FIVE STARS. SO, PLEASE UNDERSTAND, I WOULD NEVER USE AUTOSTAR AGAIN.

Company Response
Mike Cannon from AutoStar Transport Express Submitted this response.
Response Date: 1/25/2012 1:22:00 PM
We at AutoStar are very sorry Eddy had a bad experience with the assigned carrier, and the alleged damages to the vehicle. However, when a damage claim is opened, there must be evidence that the carrier was negligent and caused the damages. The most important document in initiating and successfully navigating a damage claim is the Bill of Lading, which is also the inspection report. The inspection report for Eddy's vehicle has no notation of damages whatsoever. The vehicle was received and signed for stating the vehicle was received in the same condition as when it was loaded. Despite this fact and against our advice, Eddy wished to proceed with filing the claim with the insurance company. We assisted Eddy in this endeavor and hoped to push the insurance company into at least sending out an adjustor to take a look at the vehicle. However, when the insurance company received the paperwork, they took note of the inspection report and immediately denied Eddy's claim. AutoStar did multiple phone interviews with the carrier as well, and their response was there was no way they could have done this damage as they utilize canvas wheel straps, not chains, and certainly not attached to the drive shaft. Without the proper documentation, it is impossible to successfully pursue a claim against the carrier and the insurance company. Simply put, Eddy provided absolutely no evidence the carrier damaged his vehicle. We do wish Eddy the best in the future. AutoStar Transport 888-802-8250