FAQ
Consumer F.A.Q's About Auto Shipping
Is the consumer's auto insurance primary or secondary?
There is no such thing as secondary and primary. Insurance works as such: Most carriers hold one million dollars combined single limit & two hundred fifty thousand dollars per incident. This insurance covers damage done to your vehicle in transit – there is no other insurance. The auto transport carrier is the main and only coverage (exception: consumer’s personal contents are not covered by any carrier’s insurance and, in most cases, if lost, stolen or otherwise will not be covered).
Should a consumer pay more money for a lower insurance deductible?
Absolutely not! – Most carriers have deductibles between $200.00 and $2000.00. Regardless of damage done to a vehicle, you should never have to pay a deductible either way. If a carrier requests an additional fee for deductibles, they are only attempting to get a higher price.
Can a consumer ship personal items or household goods in a vehicle ?
This is a judgement call. However, most carriers can and will charge an additional fee for the extra weight. Not to mention the insurance ramifications (see exception question #1).
What is the best size carrier to transport a vehicle on (3,5,6,8 or 10 car carrier)?
The actual truck/trailer size does not matter – sometimes you will get faster service with the smaller carrier. However that is not always the case – this is a judgement call. If you feel confident in your transporter selection, then the size does not matter.
How long should an auto transport take?
Shipping time all depends on the transporter. Listed below are some very basic ideas to help you along the way. Make sure, however, you contact your shipper for their actual scheduled times.
- East Coast to West Coast – approx. 7 to 14 days
- Midwest to East Coast – approx. 5 to 8 days
- South to the North – approx. 5 to 8 days
Why does a truck (S.U.V) shipment cost more than a regular Sedan?
Shipments are based on weight that a truck can legally carry – this is why there is a small price difference between $50.00 and $100.00 for a regular truck or S.U.V.
What kind of paperwork do I need to ship my vehicle (Insurance, title, registration, etc.)?
Unless your vehicle is leaving the country, all that is required for your shipment is a signature and walk around with the driver at pick up. This walk around will allow you and the driver to verify if any damage exists at pick up.
How is a transport supposed to work?
Auto transport is very simple – You should receive a call from the carrier anywhere between 10 and 24 hours in advance of your pick up date. The driver will arrive, review the vehicle with you, and load it on the truck. The reverse happens at the delivery point – the driver calls in advance, you’ll walk around the vehicle for damage and take delivery.
What should a consumer do if their vehicle arrives with damage?
First thing you should do is make sure the driver understands that the damage is new and was not on the original bill of lading. The damage should clearly be marked and noted, then signed for by the driver. Upon completion of delivery a call should be placed to your carrier or broker to inform them of the damage. In most cases the carrier will ask for an estimate and send you payment in a couple weeks. If the carrier is not responsive and unwilling to work with you to resolve the issue, make sure you contact their insurance company and make a claim. Be sure, however, you have all the documentation to back up your claim – false claims can result in legal action by the carrier or broker.
How does a pick-up window work?
When a transporter mentions pick-up window, they are referring to the time surrounding your pick-up date. For instance, some shippers may have a 14 day window – that way they can pick your vehicle up anywhere between 7 days before and 7 days after your pick up date. Beware of lower priced carriers who do not specify their pick up dates. You may recieve an outstanding price. However you may not see your vehicle for 4 or 5 weeks. It is very important to make sure the transporter you use can get your vehicle within a reasonable time frame.