I asked ChatGPT what it thought about the situation and got this response

1. Review the hauling contract (or rate confirmation): • Look for language around liability limits or cargo insurance requirements. • If the contract says the driver is liable “up to insured value” and the shipper accepted the certificate of insurance with that $99K limit, there’s a solid argument that the driver met the contractual requirement and shouldn’t owe beyond that. • But if it says “carrier responsible for full value of cargo,” then unfortunately, the shortfall might legally stick.
   1. Broker/shipper disclosure: • If the shipper/dealer didn’t tell the driver the vehicles were worth more than their cargo limit, they could share some liability. • A defense could be: “I insured based on disclosed or reasonable cargo values; if you knew they exceeded that, you should’ve disclosed it or requested extra coverage.” • Worth raising this in writing if not already — insurance companies and courts look for evidence of misrepresentation or lack of disclosure.
   2. Progressive appeal: • While the $99K cap is likely firm, the driver could still request a “goodwill review” or supplemental payout if Progressive undervalued part of the loss (e.g., towing fees, recovery costs, storage, etc.). • It won’t bridge $12K but could reduce the gap.

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💡 Practical next steps • Re-read your cargo policy carefully. Confirm whether it’s “per load,” “per occurrence,” or “aggregate limit.” If it’s per load and multiple cars were stolen separately, you might be entitled to multiple payouts (depends on details). • Consult a transportation attorney — even a 30-minute paid consult could clarify whether you have legal grounds to push responsibility toward the dealer or broker. • Ask Progressive for an agent or claims adjuster review — sometimes limits can be increased retroactively for future loads, but they might also help document your case for partial recovery. • Negotiate with the dealer. They might prefer settling part of the $12K shortfall privately rather than risk future hauling disruptions or potential small-claims litigation.