logo
  • Home
  • FAQs
  • User Videos
  • Quote Calculator
866-221-1664
Get Your Free Quote
logo
866-221-1664
  • Home
  • FAQs
  • User Videos
  • Quote Calculator
Get Your Free Quote
Get Your Free Quote

What If My Vehicle Gets Totaled During the Shipping Process?

50,000+ Reviews
1,000,000+ Customers Helped
Home  |  Car Transport   |   What If My Vehicle Gets Totaled During the Shipping Process?

Though shipping your car is generally a safe process, accidents can and do happen. So, what do you do if your vehicle is seriously damaged during the shipping process? Here are a few things you need to know so you can be prepared in case the unexpected occurs during your vehicle’s transport.

Ask About Insurance Ahead of Time

Don’t wait until your vehicle is totaled to find out what kind of insurance your car carrier has. Rather, do your homework on the front end and prepare yourself in advance. It is required by law for auto transport companies to carry valid insurance and they should be able to present this information to you upon request. However, you need to find out what kind of coverage the company has and if the policy covers all damage or only certain items. Also, find out about any restrictions or limitations relating to weather or “acts of god” (earthquakes, flooding, tornadoes, etc.) In addition to the auto transport's insurance, check with your own auto insurance company to find out if your vehicle will be covered during transport and purchase additional insurance if needed. Make sure you have everything in writing regarding the auto transport company’s insurance and your own personal insurance prior to transport.

Inspect Your Vehicle Immediately

It is critical that you inspect your vehicle immediately upon arrival. Assuming you performed a pre-shipment inspection, check for any new damage that may have occurred during shipment. If you find damage, take a photo of the damage right away and compare it with the photos you took beforehand. Along with the shipping representative, document any and all damage in the Bill of Lading and be sure to give specifics. Notify the driver or representative of the company immediately and make sure they sign the inspection documents.  Next, you will want to visit a mechanic to get an estimate for repairs or have the vehicle declared totaled.  Provide the mechanic’s report to the shipping company as well as your own insurance company.

If you are working with a reputable auto transport company, they should take responsibility for the damage and handle any and all costs associated with repairs and rentals. If you feel like the company has not been compliant, you should issued a complaint with the Department of Transportation and the Better Business Bureau.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to Your Car Moving Questions

The hardest thing for people researching car moving companies to understand is that the prices they are getting are not hard and fast gaurantees, but rather ESTIMATES of what one company thinks it will take to get a vehicle moved promptly versus another company's opinion of what it will take. Don't be fooled, there are not carriers committed to take your vehicle at these quoted prices, the company you choose will still have to get to work getting a carrier to commit to move it at the price they quote you.

Your total price breaks down into two parts, the broker's fee (or 'deposit' as everyone calls it) and the carriers fee (your COD amount) Make no mistake about this, EVERYONE YOU ARE GETTING SALES CALLS FROM IS GOING TO BROKER YOUR MOVE. In this industry, there are brokers who try to fool you into thinking that they are the actual carriers and there are an equal amount of carriers who sell themselves on the fact that they have a truck or two but are not being honest about the fact that they broker out 90% of the orders they book. Here is a quick easy way to tell, if a company takes an up front fee, whether they call it a deposit or any other name, they are a broker. Carriers do not take any payment until the vehicle is delivered.

In our opinion, you are crazy to do so. Have you ever been paid up front for the work that you perform for your employer? Why would you pay a fee up front when there are reliable and trustworthy companies like ours that won't ask for it until we provide you with your carriers details?

The average transit time from pick up to delivery on any vehicle going coast to coast will be between one and two weeks. From there you can figure your transit time based on how far your vehicle is traveling, i.e. from either coast to the Midwest might average 3-7 days.

View All FAQs
Ship a Car Direct BBB Business Review
4.9
Over 35,000+ Reviews
TransportReviews.com
4.8
Over 17,000+ Reviews
ShopperApproved.com
4.9
Over 3,500+ Reviews
ConsumerAffairs.com

We’re Loved by Customers

See Reviews by Our Verified Buyers!

shipacardirect.com widget logo
Get Your Free Car Shipping Quote
Get Your Free Quote
  • About Us
  • Quote Calculator
  • User Videos
  • FAQs
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
MC-632461
logo
© 2023 Ship a Car Direct. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Site Map