It doesn’t matter whether you ship your car interstate or internationally; there are too many auto transportation and brokerage services you may choose to opt-in. Although most car shipping companies work for the same purpose, you need to beware of many differences in service quality when shipping your car. We have made up a list of the most common mistakes you need to avoid to have a hassle-free car shipping experience. Let’s take a closer look at our checklist.
Check Out the Shipping Company
Before choosing the transport company, you need to check whether your carrier has national registration with the US Department of Transportation (DoT). If a company offers out-of-state car shipping, you also need to check its registration with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Be aware that a reputable company should provide you with both of these registration numbers based on your primary request. We strongly advise not to deal with a shipper that is either not registered or otherwise doesn’t want to present you DoT or a Motor Carrier number (MC). Any information related to the registration numbers the company should provide you in writing. Don’t trust promises or verbal agreements, as none of them may become legally binding.
Incorrect or Missing Documents
Before you get your car loaded onto the truck, you need to present the insurance certificate and vehicle registration. These are mandatory to have on hand to prove that you own the car. Before loading your vehicle, the transporter needs to carry out a car inspection and make applicable notes on the inspection report. This document is the only record of the car’s condition before you have it loaded. Please ensure that a carrier fills out the inspection report accurately and signs the document in case of any damage. Otherwise, you cannot fill a freight claim against the hauler and get compensation for damages.
Insufficient Insurance Coverage
If something goes wrong during transport, the movers have to provide you with insurance to cover the damage. To check the sufficiency of insurance coverage, you can request an insurance certificate online from the carrier. Please note that you may receive additional insurance coverage from your insurance even though you are not obligated to have it insured while having it shipped.
Empty Your Car of Personal Items
Although many auto shipping companies allow for 100 lbs. of personal or household items packed in the vehicle, we advise freeing up your car of personal belongings before having it shipped. Keep in mind that a carrier has no responsibility for damage or loss of your items inside the vehicle; thus, it would be impossible to claim any compensatory damage for them.
Read about Tips on Packing a Car When Shipping It
Not Getting Shipping Quotes
Car transportation terms, especially shipping costs, may vary from shipper to shipper. Thus, it’s essential to find one that will provide superior value for your money. If you want to know exactly how much you will end up paying for car transport, a free quote is what you need to request. Initial quotes may vary depending on shipping destination, mode of transportation, vehicle size/weight, and so forth.
Opting for the Cheapest Service
Unfortunately, the auto shipping industry is full of scammers that will always try to sway you by rock-bottom prices or force you into paying an upfront deposit that you will never get back. Therefore, a big jump down in the price may mean a red flag that you will likely end up getting scammed, as none of the legitimate companies will work at a loss.
