Selecting a Shipping
Method: Open or Enclosed
Open trailers are either partially or fully exposed to the elements. There are
many different types of open trailers, ranging from small three car carriers
to the large 11 car carriers that you often see on the Interstate. Enclosed
trailers are protected from the elements, and your vehicle is basically shipped
in a mobile garage. Having your vehicle shipped enclosed is typically a 25-50%
premium over having it shipped on an open trailer. Most cars can be shipped
either on an open trailer or in an enclosed trailer. It all depends on what
you want to spend.
Door-to-door Car
Shipping: What it Means
All of the quotes provided by ShipVehicles are for door-to-door car shipping.
Door-to-door should have an asterisk after it, as it does not always mean a
truck will be able to pull up to your front door. Door-to-door means that the
truck driver will get as close to your specified pick-up or delivery spot as
he can legally and safely get. Large towns and cities often restrict large trucks
and prohibit them from entering into some residential areas. Car shipping trucks
can be up to 75 foot long, and drivers will need lots of room to maneuver and
turn around. When access to your residence is restricted by narrow streets,
low-hanging trees, speed bumps or tight turns, the driver may ask that you meet
the truck at a large parking lot nearby, such as a grocery store, school, or
shopping mall.
Payment Methods:
Be Ready
While some car transport companies may not require payment in advance, others
require a deposit (10-25% of the total cost) prior to shipping. If a deposit
is given, the balance remaining is always required at time of delivery. You
will need to have a CASHIERS CHECK or CASH ready when the truck arrives. Some
companies may allow you to pay with a credit card upon delivery, but this is
not common.
Make Sure You Are
Properly Insured
Your car should be insured against damage and theft by your car shipping company.
Make sure you request a copy of the car shipping company's insurance coverage
before you finalize shipping and check to see if there is any deductible you
will be required to pay if damage should occur. Everything pertaining to the
car shipment should be in writing. It is likely that your personal car insurance
policy may cover your vehicle in transit; and we recommend that you contact
your insurance company to verify this coverage. ShipVehicles highly recommends
that you remove any personal items from your car when it is shipped as they
will not be covered by the car shipping company's insurance, and may not be
covered by your auto policy or your home owners insurance.
Before Pick-up
Steps to Prepare your Car for Shipping
Wash your car thoroughly even it will be shipped on an open trailer. You want
to be able to note any chips, dings, nicks or other cosmetic damage accurately.
Remove any personal items from your car. Most vehicle shipping companies are not licensed and thus cannot legally carry any personal items in vehicles they transport. It will also not likely be covered by insurance.
Shut off and or disable the car alarm. It is impossible to be well versed in all of the alarm systems available today, make it easy on the company and disable it.
Don't top off your gas tank, keep it low, in between 1/8th to 1/4th of a tank as this saves quite a bit of weight which the shipping companies appreciate.
Please make sure to secure or remove any loose parts or specialty items from your car such as ground effects, spoilers, fog lights. If you have wide mirrors fold them back and lower and remove the antennae if possible.
If possible, always ship convertibles with the top and secured properly. Try to seal any holes or open seams in the top to prevent air or moisture from causing damage. If you cannot raise the top, you should attempt to cover it with a secure fitting tarp that can resist high winds.
Make sure the battery is charged, that the tires have proper inflation and top off all of the fluids on the vehicle and let the drive know if there are ANY leaks. Cars leaking oil and especially brake or transmission fluid should NEVER be on the top of a two deck open trailer. This is to prevent leaks onto the paint of vehicles below.
Prepare a careful list of any operational problems or steps necessary to start, stop, or drive your vehicle on and off of the trailer.
Do a Thorough
Vehicle Inspection: Document Its Condition
In order to ensure any claims of vehicle damage are accurate and enforceable,
make a complete report of any pre-existing damage your vehicle may have. You
may want to go as far as taking pictures (and dating them) of the vehicle prior
to shipping it.
Pick-up
Meeting The Truck: Be On Time
Make sure you are on time to meet the driver and that your meeting spot is clearly
defined and easy to get to for both parties. Remember the size and maneuvering
restrictions for the truck. Not meeting the truck can delay delivery for not
only your vehicle, but also all of the other customers whose cars are sitting
on the trailer.
Releasing
Your Car: Do the Paperwork
Prior to leaving your car with the car shipping company, be sure you receive
an original inspection report. This report provides pick-up and delivery information,
the car's current mileage, and most importantly documents the condition of your
car at time of pick-up - pre-existing scratches and dents, cracked glass/mirrors,
general paint condition, etc. Keep this report and use it when you receive your
vehicle. If you will not be receiving the car, you should send a copy of this
report to the person who will be.
Delivery
Meeting The Truck: Be On Time
Make sure you are on time to meet the driver and that your meeting spot is clearly
defined and easy to get to for both parties. Remember the size and maneuvering
restrictions for the truck. Not meeting the truck can delay delivery for not
only your vehicle, but also all of the other customers whose cars are sitting
on the trailer.
Accepting
The Car: What to Look For On Delivery
When your car arrives, make sure that you do a slow, methodical inspection of
the vehicle with a copy of the original inspection report in hand. Look for
any cosmetic or discernable mechanical damage that was not noted in the original
report. Make sure you look underneath the vehicle as well. If there is any damage
not on the original inspection report, note each incident of damage as exceptions
and be sure the driver signs it. ShipVehicles suggests never accepting a vehicle
if you cannot clearly inspect it. Avoid accepting your vehicle at night, unless
you can view it under good lights.
Should
Damage Occur: Steps to Take
Car shipping is typically worry free, and the vast majority of vehicles are
shipped with out incident or damage. However, damage does sometimes occur and
it is important to understand that process of receiving compensation for the
damage. If damage occurs, and you feel it is directly attributable to the shipping
process, note all damage on your inspection report (see item above), obtain
the driver's signature, and contact your car shipping company. The car shipping
company should then work with you to reimburse you for verifiable damage done
to your car.
Dealing
With Disputes: Who to Contact, What to Do
If for some reason you feel that you were not treated properly by your car shipping
company, ShipVehicles recommends that you first try to work it out with the
company directly. Most companies should work quickly to help resolve any issues.
State your case politely, yet firmly as they will likely respond much more quickly
if they feel you are reasonable and would like to resolve the issue with minimal
fuss. If this tactic does not produce results, you may opt to file a complaint
with the Better Business Bureau. You may also wish to contact The U.S. Dept.
of Transportation (http://www.dot.gov). The DOT is the regulatory body that
governs auto transport companies, but will rarely get involved unless you have
a court ruling against the company in question. ShipVehicles is not responsible
for, nor do we get involved in disputes between our customers (consumers, vehicle
dealers, and vehicle shippers).
Free Quotes:
Car
Shipping and Auto Transport
© 2003 Auto