You can take several steps to prepare your vehicle for shipping. AutoTransport.com ships all cars, whether in pristine condition or broken down. However, taking the steps to prepare your vehicle can save time.
We want to ensure you have a hassle-free and simple shipping experience. Following these few steps can help. As always, if you have any questions, an AutoTransport.com shipping specialist is happy to speak with you.
Thoroughly wash your vehicle before it’s picked up. This will uncover any visible damage at the time of pick up.
Run your gas tank to a quarter full. Do not leave a full tank of gas in the car.
Make a written record of any chips, dents, scratches, or other damage on the car. The driver will also provide you a copy of his own inspection report.
When the vehicle arrives at its destination, do a thorough inspection again and note any damages on the bill of lading. The carrier will not accept any claim if it is not noted on the bill of lading.
Take pictures of the vehicle from several angles as well as close-up shots of any damage and make sure they’re date stamped.
If there are circumstances at delivery that you are not able to make a thorough inspection, ie., delivery late at night, raining, or vehicle is too dirty to inspect, make sure you note that on the BOL stating that you are unable to do a proper inspection and will inspect within 24 hours and report any transport damage immediately.
Verify all damages the driver reports in the inspection report on both pickup and delivery before signing any paperwork. You should receive a copy of the bill of lading with your signature on it confirming the damages noted at the pick-up and delivery.
Remove any Toll Tags or Parking Passes from the vehicle. These items could be charged continually on the way to their destination.
Remove any personal items from the vehicle. Do not store personal items in the vehicle. All personal items left in the vehicles will not be covered by insurance, if you wish to ship personal items, please speak with your shipping agent ahead of time to discuss your options.
Once you’ve reviewed the vehicle and signed the bill of lading accepting the car, the carrier is required to provide a 2nd signed bill of lading to you. Do not pay the carrier unless you have the bill of lading in hand.
If transport is cash-on-delivery, make sure you have cash on hand or a certified check in the name of the carrier. Carrier will not accept personal checks or credit cards.
Any questions or concerns, please contact your Autotransport.com Broker.
If you’re not comfortable driving long distances, shipping a car through an auto transportation company has many advantages. Logistics professionals at Auto Transport can determine the best transport method, route, and can even provide door-to-door shipping so that there is no mileage increase for your vehicle. Enclosed trailer transport specifically has a number of advantages that should be considered:
Protection from the Elements.
One of the most beneficial aspects of transporting a car using enclosed trailers is that it protects your vehicle from the dust and debris often linked to road travel. Traveling for long hours on a highway naturally accumulates dust and debris on your windshield, for example, and exposing your car to extreme weather elements can also have adverse effects on your paintwork.
If you need to travel hundreds of miles upstate, to other states, or even move to Mexico or Canada, auto transport companies can help you to avoid the potential wear and tear that driving long distances can have on your vehicle. Particularly useful if the journey may involve weather that you’re uncomfortable driving in, like heavy snowfall or high winds.
When you insure your car for transport, it means that you will not cover any expenses in case of damage while it is in transit. You will also get financial cover for any injuries that other drivers or pedestrians may suffer in the process. Additionally, should your car be stolen when it is being transported, you will get financial support to replace it. The same will happen if it is destroyed by a fire.
Generally, car insurance for transport comes with security. Even as you hand it to the auto transport company, you know that you will not bear any burdens if something terrible happens to it. The terms and costs of the insurance policy will depend on the company that you go to.
