Shipping of a Personal Vehicle Tips from Schmeg.com

   

Vehicle Shipping Tips

The following should be completed prior to shipping your vehicle.

1.  Clean your car before the scheduled pick up date.  A clean car allows for a fair and honest vehicle inspection report. 

2.  Ensure that your vehicle is in good running condition.  Properly inflated tires, fully charged battery and a working emergency brake are important to ensure proper handling during the relocation of your vehicle. 

3.  Make sure your vehicle is free of any "non factory" articles.  Remove any personal items.  Most vehicle shipping companies are not licensed to transport personal items (household goods).  It will most like not be covered by insurance either.

4.  Top of all fluids, properly winterize your vehicle to ensure protection against cold.   

5.  A photo copy of the vehicle registration should be placed in the glove box.

6.  Inform the carrier of any special starting instructions or special security features before the vehicle is picked up.  Make a list of any operational problems, special instructions to start or turn off or even to drive the vehicle.

7.  Camper tops and canopies should be securely fastened to the bed of pick up trucks.

8.  Remove all accessories that are not a permanent part of the vehicle.  This includes removing any ski, wheelchair or bicycle racks.

9.  Disarm or turn off your car alarm. 

10. Make sure the jack and spare tire are properly secured.

11. Make any repairs needed to the vehicle prior to pick up.              

12. Have realistic expectations.  Pick up and delivery dates are estimates.  The vehicle shipping business is a seasonal industry.  Unforeseen problems can arise, mechanical malfunctions or breakdowns can occur, weather conditions and other factors can hinder pick up and delivery dates.  Last minute changes by customers and customers that arrive late or are  unavailable or never show up at their scheduled delivery times can account for many delays.  There has been the occasion when a truck is scheduled to deliver a vehicle to free up a spot for another customers car.  The driver is unable to drop off the vehicle due to a customer "no show" and there is no room to pick up the next vehicle.  These instances do not happen all of the time but is nice to know there is a possibility.

13. Shipping cars from door to door.  Trucks picking up or delivering vehicles will not always be able to drive up to the front door.  Our trailers range from 48 feet long to as long as 73 feet.  Due to city ordinances, home owners association rules, narrow roads, dead end streets and other obstacles such as low power lines.  In these instances, we will arrange a convenient location to pick up or drop off your vehicle such as a shopping center or a major road.

14. Make sure your vehicle is properly insured.  You should have insurance on your own vehicle.  Check with your insurance company and be sure they cover auto transport.  Your vehicle will be covered by any damages directly caused by the driver.  As standard with the car shipping industry and required by US law, Quality Vehicle Shipping provides a Bill of Lading complete with terms and conditions that fully describe the insurance coverage's of the carrier.  In short, the carrier, Quality Vehicle Shipping and/or one of it's shipping agents will not be responsible for any damage not resulting from the carriers negligence.

15. Be on time when meeting the truck.  Drivers have a short waiting period that they must uphold.  If the customer fails to show up on time and doesn't make contact with Quality Vehicle Shipping, a detention charge may be assessed.  Any detention charges must be paid in full before the vehicle will be released.  It is a federal law to make full payment for any vehicle relocation requiring a bill of lading.  Quality Vehicle Shipping and/ or one of its agents will make an attempt to contact a customer who does not show up on time.  Remember, customer no shows account for many of the delays in the vehicle shipping industry.  Please refer to the terms and conditions for charges for now shows and detention charges.

16. Fully read and understand the terms and conditions on the bill of lading.  By signing the bill of lading, the customer agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions.  The terms and conditions supercede any and all communication involved in the vehicle shipping process.  If you are guaranteed a special request.  Make sure it is noted on the terms and conditions and signed by an officer of the transporting company.