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What to Expect When Shipping Your Car Without a Title

What to Expect When Shipping Your Car Without a Title

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Are you looking to ship a car but don’t have a title? Whether you lost the title or bought a car without one, shipping without a title can be challenging. But don’t worry, there are options available!

This article will discuss everything you need to know about shipping a car without a title, including the costs, time frame, and liability involved. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of what to expect when shipping a car without a title.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Some transport companies may ship the vehicle without a title, depending on their requirements and the legal requirements.
  • Auto-shipping companies often require various documentation for car shipping, particularly interstate transport.
  • Transporting without a vehicle title may take longer and cost more money.

Table of Contents

Do You Need a Title To Ship a Car?

The answer is not definitive and may differ depending on your specific situation. If you do not have the vehicle’s title, contact the auto transport company, provide them with the information about your transportation, and ask for their advice.

Auto transport companies may agree to transfer your vehicle even if you lack all the required documents, especially if you are not shipping it across state lines. If the car is registered in your name, it may be sufficient proof that you are the owner of interstate shipping, and you can proceed with the transportation without any issues.

However, for international transportation, you should verify the regulations of the country of destination since they may require proof of ownership before allowing the vehicle to enter.

Options For Shipping a Car Without a Title

Auto-shipping companies often require various documentation for car shipping, particularly interstate transport. But there are multiple ways to transport a car without a title:

Obtaining a Duplicate Title

You can apply for a duplicate title from the DMV in the state where the vehicle was last titled. This will act as proof of ownership, making the shipment procedure go more smoothly.

Providing Bill Of Sale

If you have a Bill of Sale, you can use it as proof of ownership, and certain auto-shipping companies will accept it.

Proof Of Ownership

Auto shipping companies may accept other forms of proof of ownership, such as vehicle registration or insurance documents.

Shipping The Car With a Bonded Title

In some states, a bonded title can be obtained by acquiring a surety bond equal to the car’s value. This bond is insurance if someone else claims ownership of the car and can also be used to ship the vehicle.

Shipping The Car To a State With Looser Regulations

Because some states have looser regulations, shipping a car without a title may be possible in some states. But, before transporting the vehicle, it is essential to check the rules in the destination state.

Reasons For Not Having a Title

There are several reasons why someone may not have a title for their vehicle. These reasons include the following:

Lost Or Stolen Title

When you purchase a vehicle from someone who has either lost the title or fails to provide it, it might not be easy to ship the car. While some transport companies may agree to move an automobile without a title, mainly if the shipment is interstate, others may require the necessary documents for legal reasons.

Unpaid Liens On The Car

If the car has unpaid liens, the lienholder may keep the title until the debt is paid off. In this case, the owner must settle the debt before acquiring the title and obtaining a lien release.

What To Expect When Shipping a Car Without a Title

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There are various factors to consider when transporting a car without a title.

Liability And Responsibility During The Shipping Process

There are concerns of liability and responsibility to consider. For example, without a title, it may be more challenging to show that you are the rightful owner of the vehicle, which could lead to disagreements or legal concerns with the auto transport company or other parties involved in the shipping process.

Time And Cost Involved In Shipping a Car Without a Title

Also, transporting without a vehicle title may take longer and cost more. Insufficient documentation may create delays, and the auto transport company may charge higher fees or request additional insurance coverage to compensate for the increased risk. Therefore, it is essential to carefully consider the risks and costs of shipping a car without a title and to consider alternatives, as discussed before.

What If You Bought The Car Without The Title?

Purchasing a car without a title or from the seller can cause issues when delivering the vehicle. Some transport companies may ship the car without a title, depending on their requirements and the legal requirements. Before shipping the vehicle, contact the seller to obtain the title. 

If that is not possible, a bonded title (with a surety bond attached) can be obtained from the local DMV. The process may take some time and may cause transportation plans to be interrupted, but it is an alternative if the original title is lacking.

FAQs On Shipping a Car Without a Title

Where can I find a reliable auto shipping company for shipping a car without a title?

Consider completing online research, asking friends and relatives for references, contacting industry associations, and collecting quotations from multiple companies to find a trustworthy auto shipping company for a car without a title. Looking into each company’s pricing, services, and any additional expenses is essential. 

Here at  Mercury Auto Transport, prices are based on seasonal market demands for cars to be moved at any given time. Each auto-shipping quote is prepared based on the season and the current national rates. Get your free quote by clicking here!

How much does it cost to ship a car without a title?

The cost of shipping without a vehicle title is determined by various factors, including distance, type of transport, and the shipment’s specifics. However, shipping a car without a title is often more expensive, and additional costs may apply.

How long does it take to ship a car without a title?

When you ship your car, the shipping company will give you an estimated timeframe for delivery, usually 2-3 days. Although they will try to stick to the estimate, it’s important to allow for extra time and not expect exact drop-off dates. The estimate is not a set promise, and you should be prepared for any outcome.

 

 

 

 

 

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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 cars, SUVs, trucks, jeeps, 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.