ShipA1
Jan 20, 2020
Making
sure that you have obtained the necessary insurance when choosing to have your
vehicle shipped is vital to ensure that you aren't held liable for any damage
done to it and for any other delivery issues that you may encounter. Insurance
should be purchased regardless if the vehicle is being transported via a
trailer or physically driven itself. However, to make sure that your vehicle
shipment is fully covered, you will need to understand the various aspects of
shipping insurance first, followed by what to do if you run into any issues
afterward. This is in spite of the fact that the number of vehicles that are
damaged due to shipping transportation totals less than 5% a year. Take a look
at the following guide:
THE
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Ship-A1
auto transport companies have to have liability insurance in the united states.
You should also check to see if they also have cargo insurance as well. If they
also have cargo insurance as well. If they do, then any damage that occurs to
your vehicle during the transportation process will be covered. Of course, you
will still have to pay the insurance deductible. It would help if you asked for
more information from the company itself about their insurance coverage. Specifically,
you should have an understanding of the terms and conditions of the blanket.
One thing that's helpful is to ask them for a copy of their insurance
certificate. Under the law, they have to provide this to anyone who asks. A
useful site to verify the authenticity of the insurance certificate is located
at the Department of Transportation. While you will have the minimum amount of
coverage automatically, you may want to expand upon it. You will undoubtedly be
protected from a liability standpoint for some of the damage that your vehicle
may incur. Still, the minimum coverage won't cover the full value of your car.
It's helpful to ask the company about their insurance.
FOLLOWING
THINGS, YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTO TRANSPORT:
For
most Americans, their automobiles are second only to their home as their most
expensive commodity. Like our homes, we ensure our vehicles against accidents,
thefts, and other possible damages. But what many people don't realize is that
when they load their cars on an auto transport truck for delivery to a new
residence, many policies may or may not provide the protection they're
expecting. To make matters even more complicated, some auto transport companies
include a waiver in their contract negating them of any responsibility for any
potential damage your vehicle may accrue while in their possession. Therefore,
it's always wise to double-check the car shipping company's policy before
agreeing to the contract. Here are seven other things you should know about
auto transportation so your car can get where it needs to go without unexpected
hassles and costs.
ASK
THE CAR SHIPPING COMPANY FOR PROOF OF INSURANCE:
It's a law that the ship-A1 transport company carries a valid insurance certificate,
and they should be able to present it when asked to. It would be best if you
also asked a question related to their policy at this time. Find out if they
cover any damage that occurs during the car shipping process. If the entire
vehicle is covered or just certain parts or if you will be required to pay a
deductible if damage occurs.
GET
EVERYTHING IN WRITING:
Before
you agree to the terms of an auto shipping service, get any individual
agreements or considerations in writing. This will protect you in the event
that something unforeseen happens, especially if they are providing you with a
service or agreeing to something that's not indicated in their regular
contract.
MAKING
AN INSURANCE CLAIM:
In
order to determine if you need to make a claim or not, make sure to inspect
your car at its arrival point thoroughly. It's essential to check its arrival
point as soon as possible, in which any damage that is spotted is documenting.
That's why it's helpful to take many pictures, before and afterward.
Any
damage that is spotted should be a note in the Bill of Lading. The driver that
made the delivery will need to sign this form.
REMOVE
LOOSE ITEMS FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE:
Most
car shippers will not cover damage to a vehicle's interior, so to reduce the
risk of this happening, remove all of the loose items from your car before
handing over the keys. This includes all removable electronics, spare change,
CDs or cassettes, and anything else that could become airborne. By removing
your loose items, you will also reduce the risk of a break-in theft, which is
also not covered by most auto shipping companies.
PRE-POSSESSION
INSPECTION:
Before
the auto transport company takes possession of the vehicle, they will perform a thorough inspection of it to make a note of any existing damage. If possible,
you should be on hand when the inspector performs this inspection. It is also a
good idea to take photographs of the vehicle to record its condition before the
shipping company taking possession of it.
THE
BILL OF LADING:
Once
the vehicle is delivered, the owner will have to fill out the Bill of Lading,
which is essentially a condition report that details the vehicle's condition
upon arrival. Be sure to check the car thoroughly, including the undercarriage.
It is also smart to start the engine to check for any signs of mechanical
damage. If the vehicle is delivered at night, check it under bright lights so
you can see as much as possible because once you sign off on the Bill of
Lading, the transfer is complete, and if you missed something, the auto
transport company wouldn't be liable. If you find signs of damage, include it
on the Bill of Lading and have the driver sign off on it. Afterward, contact
the shipping company directly to inquire about reimbursement.
WHERE
TO FILE A COMPLAINT:
You
should contact the Ship-A1 shipping company and the relevant insurance company
right away. Most companies will work with you to resolve your claims in a
timely manner. As long as your car is covered and everything is documented, it
would help if you didn't run into issues with this.