Having had a similar problem myself I found that the "insurance" was limited to what the Road Hauliers Association pay which is based on weight. In my case I gave up as it was not worth the hassle to recover a fraction of what the item was worth. I also suspected that the receiver of the goods was also pulling a fast one by saying the goods were badly damaged when they probably weren't. Strangely he accepted the item in damaged condition!! which was nothing like photos I had sent to him. Good luck to the individuals in the case above as I suspect the issue will drag on for some time with each blaming the other regarding handover etc.
Guess the clue is in the name "Cars Go Transport", bikes just aren't as stable as cars, especially when fastened at right angles to the direction of travel and the major forces i.e. acceleration and braking.
Remember loading my 750ss and my mates HD sportster on a trailer I had built from kit. It was very hairy until I realised tie down straps needed to be ratchets to be really secure,not a good idea when you're rushing to Liverpool to catch the Iom ferry!
We know a bloke off here who had his 749 dropped off the back of an AA truck whilst negotiating a round about.
I remember my almost brand new 999S being trailered home after a Brands Track Day - about 60-mile trip maybe? When the time came to unstrap it, I found one of the straps had snapped, leaving the bike secured by a single one. I nearly vomited. Lesson learned; always check the strapping thoroughly - don't "leave all that to your mate".
On ferry boats strap your bike down yourself, using your own ratchet straps, and do it properly. The ferry crew are hasty, use rubbish old straps, and often damage the bike or don't secure it enough or both. A favourite is a strap tight over the seat which ruins the seat mountings.
I went to Jerez one year with a well known company for a Trackday there. When I got the bike back home there was the imprint of a strap mark right across the back of the petrol tank. Next time I went with a different bike it came back with two broken indicator mounts. I think no one tends to take as much care of your bike as you would do, as above always better to do it yourself if you can.
A mate of mine had a fireblade damaged on a crossing to Holland,some time back.Always check that your bike is secure.
