DOOR-TO-DOOR CAR SHIPPING AND AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORTATION Call:(877) 769-9299
Selecting
an Auto 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 50-90% 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 Ship Vehicles 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 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 vehicle shipping 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 auto shipping and check to see
if there is any deductible. NOTE: With us you are
100% covered. You will not 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.
We 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 if 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 auto transporters 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/retract 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. Ship Vehicles 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, We recommend
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. We are not
responsible for, nor do we get involved in disputes
between our customers (consumers, vehicle dealers,
and vehicle shippers).
CALL NOW!! (877) 769-9299
