Hiring an enclosed auto transport service to ship your car is a fairly straightforward, but it can be an awkward one for car owners who have yet to experience having their car shipped instead of being driven. Here are some pointers to consider:
Before your car is to be picked up by the vehicle shipping company for transport, perform a thorough inspection first. Check the condition of the various parts of your car, such as its headlights, wheels, side panels, windows and windshield, and take note of the mileage and fuel gauge. You should also remove any personal belongings you have inside your car, as well as accessories including fog lights, spoilers and ground effects. You should also fold or retract the side windows and antenna to prevent them from being damaged when being loaded or unloaded from the carrier.
After the delivery date has been set make sure that you arrive at the designated meeting sport to meet the driver. Enclosed auto transport trucks have a tight schedule, and shippers does not appreciate it if you bring in your car late even for a couple of minutes. Arriving early can also give you some time to take note of the size and maneuvering restrictions of the truck, as well as what other vehicles are sitting inside the carrier.
Before it is loaded onto the truck, the driver will usually perform an inspection of your vehicle and make a report of its current condition which you will have to sign. Is the company’s inspection identical to the one you just made earlier? In addition, you should also talk with the driver regarding any quirks and issues on starting and running your car as well.
Once your car has arrived at its destination, make sure that you or your representative performs a comprehensive inspection of your auto with a copy of the car transport service’s inspection report as your basis. Has the vehicle accrued cosmetic or significant mechanical damage that is not present in the report? Do not settle with just looking at the exterior of your car; look under the hood and the interior as well.
If there is any damage or missing components not listed on the inspection report of the auto shipping company, take note of it as exceptions and have the driver sign it. If your vehicle arrives at nighttime, have it brought out on a location where there is enough light so you can inspect it clearly. Never accept your auto if you are unable to inspect your car clearly or the company forbids you to do so until you sign the release form.
In the event that your car becomes damaged or has missing components, you may be able to get some compensation for the damage or loss. Enclosed vehicle shipping services today usually have insurance coverage to pay for damaged or missing car components while being transported.
If you notice any damage on your car that is not in the inspection report and is clearly made while it was being transported on the carrier, note the damage on the report, have the driver put his signature on it, and call the vehicle shipping company. Once it is proven that the damage or missing components are attributable to the sipping process, the company should reimburse you for verifiable damage done to your vehicle.
Take note, however, that clothing, repair tools, electronic appliances and other personal items inside the car that has become damaged or missing may not be compensated. Industry regulations forbid car transport services from carry personal items in cars during transport, and they will not hold responsibility for any items lost or damaged while on the road.
If for one reason or another you were not treated properly by a vehicle shipping company, it is recommended that you work it out with them directly. Auto shipping companies usually work quickly to solve customer-related issues, as this may affect their reputation and, in turn, their business. Air your side in a polite yet firm manner; the company is likely to respond to your case if they feel that you are reasonable and would like to resolve the issue with as little hassle as possible.
On the other hand, if the enclosed auto transport company still fails to respond despite your best efforts to reach out to them, you may file a complaint with your local Better Business Bureau or on its website. You can also try contacting the US Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding your issue with the shipper. The DOT governs and regulates vehicle shipping companies, though they rarely get involved in customer complaints unless a court ruling has been filed by the customer against the company in question.
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