There are two documents in a car shipment, and people usually read the less important one.
The transport agreement sets the commercial terms. It matters, and it is worth ten minutes. The condition report, also called the Bill of Lading, is the one that decides whether a damage claim succeeds, and it gets signed in a driveway in about forty seconds.
Read the agreement before you book. Read the condition report before you sign it. The second habit protects more money than the first.
In the Transport Agreement
Whether the price is binding or an estimate. Both are legitimate. Know which you have.
What the price includes. Door-to-door collection and delivery, and cargo coverage, should be explicit.
The delivery window and its basis. A window is normal. A guaranteed date is not credible.
Cancellation terms. What happens before assignment is usually different from after.
Payment timing and method. A deposit is not required to book with us. Confirm when the balance is due and how.
The cargo coverage limit and exclusions. Personal items, pre-existing damage, and weather events are standard exclusions.
The claims process and its deadline. Claim windows are short. Find the number of days now.
Who the carrier will be, or how it will be chosen. Normally unknown at booking, so what you want is the vetting standard.
In the Condition Report
Every existing mark should be on it before you sign. Scratches, chips, dents, cracked glass, kerbed wheels, worn trim.
Check the odometer reading. It should be recorded at both ends and should barely change.
Check the vehicle details. Make, model, plate, and VIN.
Note anything you cannot inspect. Darkness, rain, or road film obscuring a panel should be written on the document.
Keep your copy. Photographed on your phone before the driver leaves is enough.
At delivery, compare before signing. This is the only moment your signature has leverage. Once you sign a clean receipt, you have agreed the vehicle arrived as it left.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which document decides a damage claim?
The condition report from pickup, compared against the one at delivery.
Can I write on the condition report myself?
Yes. Adding a note about an obscured panel or an existing mark is normal and expected.
What if the driver rushes me?
Slow down anyway. A driver running late is not a reason to sign an inaccurate document.
Is a verbal promise worth anything?
Little. If a term matters, it belongs in the written agreement.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Short, and set by the agreement. Check the figure before you book and start the process on the day you find damage.
Why Ship With Tempus Logix
Tempus Logix is a licensed and bonded auto transport broker, USDOT #3117533 and MC #86120, and BBB accredited. Every carrier we assign is vetted and its insurance verified before a vehicle is collected, and vehicle owners carry a zero deductible on covered damage.
First-time shippers deserve a quote that holds. We price loads at a rate carriers actually accept, explain what the figure covers before you commit, and tell you plainly when a date looks tight, rather than booking it and renegotiating later.
New to this? Start with our first-time car shipping guide.
Related Guides
Next in this cluster:
- Car Inspection Process
- Questions to Ask Car Shipping Companies
- How to Read Car Shipping Quotes
- What Happens After Delivery
- How to Avoid Car Shipping Scams
Need a vehicle moved? Get a free quote with our auto transport quote calculator or call a transport coordinator at +1 (866) 607-8459.