Moving Your
Auto!
Schedule
Schedule your auto shipping at least 4 weeks
before you move, giving enough time to arrange
for a car mover carrier to pick up your
vehicle. Basically, the more advance time
the better. If you are not available, please
arrange an alternative authorized party
such as neighbor, friend or relative you
can trust to transfer the car to the car
mover. Most automobile shippers offer door-to-door
service. However, in many residential neighborhoods
it may be difficult to drive in a large
truck carrying your vehicle. Because of
potential difficulty in getting the truck
into your neighborhood, the car mover may
ask you to meet them at a nearby local shopping
center or garage for pick up of your vehicle.
The same will apply for the delivery.
Insurance
Make sure your car is adequately insured
by the car mover for relocation. Upon pick-up,
the driver will do a condition report (bill
of lading) for any scratches or damages
on the vehicle which should be signed by
both parties. The same will occur upon delivery;
make sure you check vehicle before signing.
Reporting any damages or claims at a later
time is not advisable.
Personal Items
Do not leave personal possessions of any
kind in your car. Of course spare tires,
car jacks, and other standard items that
can be found in a trunk of a new car are
not a problem. Make sure anything left in
the car is tied down securely.
Delivery
Make sure that if you or an authorized party
is not available to receive your car, that
it will be stored in a secure storage facility
where you will be able to pick it up at
a more convenient time. This may be subject
to additional charges.
Cost
When working with a Car Mover, confirm what
the total cost of the shipping will be.
As you obtain quotes from several car transport
and auto shipping companies, be prepared
to provide:
- origination/destination
- approximate departure date
- type of vehicle(s)
- type of car transport service desired
(e.g., door-to-door car transport vs.
terminal-to-terminal)
- special car mover or auto shipping
requests (eg., deliver at a location other
than your home vs. at your home)
Paying For Shipping Your Vehicle
While some car movers and auto shippers
may not require payment in advance, others
require a deposit, or full payment in advance.
If a deposit is given, amount due is always
required at time of delivery - oftentimes
with a cashier's check or cash. If full
payment is required prior to car transport
or auto shipping service, consider using
a credit card so that charges may be disputed
if circumstances warrant such actions.
Make Sure You Are Properly Insured
Your vehicle should be insured against damage
and theft by your car transport or auto
shipping company. Ask for a copy of the
car mover's insurance coverage. Find out
how the car mover's insurance works with
your own insurance in the event of damage
during car transport. Additionally, find
out if there is any kind of damage deductible
and the amount. Everything pertaining to
the car move should be in writing. Your
own car insurance policy may cover your
vehicle in transit; make sure to contact
your insurance company to find out. It is
advisable that you do not leave any personal
items in your car when it is shipped; items
left in the car may not be covered by your
homeowner's insurance policy.
Get Dates - Pick Up and Delivery
Get the estimated pick-up and delivery dates
and times from your car mover or auto shipping
company. Make sure to get a 3 day guaranteed
window for the pick-up and delivery dates
of your car, as suggested earlier get everything
in writing. Once pick-up is made, your car
mover or auto shipping company should be
able to provide you with a specific delivery
date. If you require a specific date for
pick-up, many car moving and auto shipping
companies can accommodate you and store
your car at a terminal for an additional
charge.
Check References
It is important to verify the good standing
and valid licensing of any car moving company
or auto shipping service. We urge you to
contact your local Better Business Bureau
as well as to verify that the shipper's
license is valid and active with the appropriate
transportation agency (such as the state
or federal Department Of Transportation).
www.123movers.com does its best to make
sure that we list only quality service providers.
However, we cannot guarantee the quality
of service of any car moving or auto shipping
company. It is important that you take the
time to check references and get all services
agreed to by the company in writing.
Inspect Your Car Before Shipping
It is advisable that in addition to receiving
a condition report document from your car
mover detailing any pre-existing damage
to your car, that you take photographs of
the car, date the photos, and attach them
to the condition report provided by the
car mover for your records. You must have
a detailed description of the condition
of your car prior to shipping. The condition
report or other document used by the car
mover should include: current mileage, pre-existing
damage of any type including: glass, scratches,
paint, dents, and so on. This report is
important in case any disputes arise.
Vehicle Delivery Inspection and
Acceptance
When your car is delivered, make sure to
methodically inspect your car. Use the condition
report given to you at pick up and go over
all of the details. Look for damage not
on the original report. Check for changes
in mileage and check every part of your
car carefully including the roof and under
your car. Look for obvious damage or changes
to the car's condition that may have occurred
during the shipping. If there are any discrepancies,
make sure to note them on the condition
report you received on pick-up of the car,
and have the driver sign the document. Please
be advised that you should avoid accepting
your vehicle at night or at a location that
does not permit you easy access to inspecting
all parts of your car. It is absolutely
essential that you perform a thorough examination
of your car as described above. Remember
that once you have accepted your car, your
signed documentation is what protects you.
If problems arise, reputable car moving
and auto shipping companies will work out
disputes with you in an amicable fashion,
but you must have documentation.
Unresolved Disputes
Always try to work out your dispute with
the car mover or auto shipping company first.
They often work on a referral basis and
are motivated to working out problems. However,
if you feel you have reached a dead end
or that you have not been treated reasonably,
you have the option of filing complaints
with multiple agencies (BBB, State and or
Federal Department Of Transportation, Interstate
Commerce Commission) as well as seeking
legal counsel. |