Protecting Your Vehicle During Auto Transport

While receiving damage to your vehicle during the auto transport process is quite rare, it is always a good idea to follow the correct steps to fully protect your vehicle during auto transport. There are a couple of different things that you can do to ensure that your vehicle is protected, but you should also be aware of your rights when purchasing a car shipping service.

Inspect Your Vehicle Before and After Transport

Most customers and auto transport carriers will mutually agree to a vehicle inspection before and after the vehicle transport process takes place. In most cases, auto transport carriers will require an inspection so that the vehicle can be thoroughly looked at before it starts being shipped.

 

Both parties typically take notes and agree on the condition of the vehicle before it is eventually parked at the pickup terminal and loaded onto the hauler.

 

While many customers choose to take notes on the condition of their vehicle, it might be an even better idea to take pictures or videos on your smartphone. This is one way that you can conveniently use modern technology from your smartphone to definitively determine the condition of your vehicle before it is loaded onto the hauler for shipping.

Accidents & Damage To Your Transported Vehicle

Protecting Your Vehicle During Transport

 

If your vehicle receives damage during the auto transport process, then you probably have a couple of different options available to you. Most auto transport carriers will allow you to fill out a damage claim with supporting evidence from the vehicle inspection. If you took notes, photos, or videos, then this is likely going to be the appropriate time to present them.

 

Your claim will be more likely to succeed with more evidence. Taking high-quality images and videos is highly recommended for the highest level of protection after conducting a vehicle inspection.

 

By following the remaining steps and eventually filing your damage claim, then you will likely hear back from the auto transport carrier’s insurance provider. At this point, you will likely be guided on how to proceed with the claim and receive any compensation that you might be entitled to.

Vehicle Hauler Selection Can Make the Risks Less Likely

There are a few different types of transport haulers that can be used when shipping your vehicle to its destination. The two primary hauler options are enclosed car haulers and open car haulers that are exposed to the environment around them.

 

If you have a luxury vehicle that you believe is worth significantly more than the average car, then you will probably want to invest in a transport service that offers enclosed haulers for vehicle shipping. The enclosed hauler is generally more expensive but it definitely provides way more protection for your vehicle.

 

Open vehicle haulers are usually just fine, but damage can occur if the vehicle is exposed to harsh weather conditions. Damage is also likely going to be significantly worse during a vehicle collision on an exposed vehicle hauler.

 

Exposed vehicle haulers are typically more affordable, but they might not be ideal for luxury cars that cost a lot of money. In the event of a collision or accident, an enclosed auto transport hauler might be safe enough to prevent any damage at all on your vehicle. This is one great way to maximize the protection of your vehicle for only a slight increase in overall shipping costs.

Delivery Terminals

Making sure your vehicle is protected for auto transport.

 

One major reason that home delivery for vehicle shipping is slightly more popular than terminal shipping is because it really doesn’t place the vehicle at risk of being stolen or vandalized. There are several reported cases where unprotected vehicle delivery terminals are not secure and criminals or thieves will take advantage of the exposed vehicles to break in, vandalize, and attempt to steal valuable items.

 

If you want to eliminate the possibility of your vehicle being vandalized, then home delivery is probably going to be a little bit more popular to you instead of terminal delivery. If you are unable to do home delivery, then you might have the opportunity to have a designated person pick up your vehicle from the terminal facility right after it arrives.

 

This type of situation typically needs to be negotiated between the vehicle owner and shipping carrier. Some carriers will place a little bit of extra effort to make this possible, while some carriers don’t allow anyone other than the vehicle owner to pick up the vehicle.

 

Conclusion

As you can now see, there are many different ways to enhance the protection of your vehicle while it is being shipped through an auto transport carrier. You should try to take advantage of all of these options to maximize the protection of your vehicle.

 

You always want to make sure that the condition of your vehicle is the same when it is delivered as it was when it was dropped off with the auto transport carrier.

 

By following the tips in this guide, you can ensure that your vehicle will be protected from start to finish. It will also likely relive a lot of the stress and anxiety that comes along with shipping your vehicle with an auto transport company.

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What Our Customrs Are Saying

FAQs

We feel it’s important for you to know how we determined your quote. Quotes are based on what the market demands for cars to be moved at a given time. Each quote is compared with the current rates on the National Load Board before being sent to our customers and will be reviewed periodically through the process.

Other companies might offer you a lower price to obtain your business. This method is ineffective because if the car does not pay the correct amount of money, it will run the probability of not getting loaded or transported on time. You will not get this information from our competitors. Truck drivers always take the loads that pay the most first, leaving the loads that are mispriced to be moved last or not at all. We try very hard to avoid this with our customers by quoting a fair but realistic quote up front. Visit our How we determine your quote page for more information.

Understanding auto transport insurance is important and we think it’s valuable to explain how it works. As part of providing a great car transport service, it is our job to guarantee that the carrier we assign to pickup your vehicle is licensed and insured. Click here to check out our license.

When you go with Mercury to ship your vehicle, you can rest assured that the carrier assigned to move your car is fully insured and licensed with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier and Saftey Administration).

Your vehicle is covered by the carrier’s insurance policy that is doing the shipping. Depending on the type and size of the truck/trailer that is shipping your car, the insurance policy can cover from $100,000 to $1,000,000 of damage.

We have also provided a checklist to explain what you need to do at both pickup and delivery in case there are any issues so, you can file a claim and know that everything will be taken care of.

It is rare but, time-to-time there may be accidental damage while in transit and it is good to know that your carrier’s insurance will protect your auto shipment in that event.

To view a sample BOL (Bill of Lading) and learn what to do in case of accidental damage, please check out our Condition Report and Procedure checklist.

When comparing auto transport companies, keep in mind that low-priced quotes often result in delays in getting your vehicle loaded. Choosing the right broker is vital to getting a reputable carrier for the lowest price possible.  

We feel it’s important for you to know how we determine your quote.

When you’re looking for a car shipping rate, you want to understand how auto transport works. Prices are based on seasonal market demands for cars to be moved at any given time. Each quote is prepared based on the season and the current national rates.

When comparing auto transport companies, keep in mind that low-priced quotes often result in delays in getting your vehicle loaded. Choosing the right broker is vital to getting a reputable carrier for the lowest price possible. Not all brokers are created equal in this talent.

Mercury does a thorough background check with each carrier for every shipment. We verify their ratings, references, and in addition, we obtain a certified copy of their insurance certificate, directly from the government agency that it is on file with.

You can have peace of mind knowing that the carrier shipping your vehicle is the very best and that there are no surprises guaranteed.

Mercury Auto Transport is licensed, Bonded and Insured. Our FMSCA Motor Carrier Number is MC647319.

While we do our best match your auto shipping needs with the most responsible carriers with the best track records, from time-to-time there may be accidental damage while in transit, it is good to know that the insurance of the carrier we locate for you will protect your auto shipment in that event.

Shipping a vehicle can be stressful if you don’t know what to do.  This is why we believe it is paramount to have our highly trained agents be your main point of contact from start to finish.

They will go over everything you need to know so you can relax.  In the meanwhile, we prepared this checklist.  This includes everything from pickup to delivery and how to make sure your car is ready for pickup.

When it comes to car moving, we want you to be ahead of the game!  For any questions and further assistance our agents are standing by, (800) 553-1828.  Please read our checklist to prepare your vehicle to learn more.

There are several ways you can ship a car.  The options include enclosed trailer, open carrier transport, flatbed truck, door-to-door shipping services, and to or from a terminal as well.  The most popular of the options is a 7 to 10 car open carrier.  These large trucks can accommodate almost any size vehicle including carsSUVstrucksjeeps, and vans.

Open car transport, door to door is also the best way to get the cheapest auto transport rate possible.  To learn more and see what transport method is best for you, please fill out our free quote form and one of our representatives will respond to you within minutes.  You can also call us at (800) 553-1828.

We present offers from FMCSA Licensed and Insured Carriers. When you accept an offer, we send your service agreement that guarantees the price, door-to-door service, and 100% bumper-to-bumper insurance. There are never any hidden fees or charges, guaranteed.