The Fine Print in Car Shipping Contracts
Getting your car moved, whether you’re moving locally or across the country, moving can be intimidating. However, if you understand the fine print in car shipping contracts, you’ll be well on your way to knowing what to look out for when booking your shipment. Below, we’ll go over the basics of car shipping contracts so that you will learn how to find a reputable auto transport service to help you move your car.
What Happens if I Have to Cancel My Shipment?
The cancellation policy is the first thing you’ll want to look for in any car shipping contract. First, be sure that the contract even has a cancellation policy. If it doesn’t, you might be dealing with a scam.
Many companies out there don’t have a cancellation policy, which can make it very difficult to get your money back if things don’t work out or you have to cancel your shipping. So, be sure there is a cancellation policy in the contract from the start so that you can get your money back in case something goes wrong.
Generally, if there is a cancellation policy, as long as it’s not the day of the shipment, most auto transport companies will refund some or all of your money. Look for wording that specifically says you will be able to get your money back if the shipment does not go through.
Can I Get a Refund if I Cancel My Car Shipping?
Unless it’s the day of your shipment, you should be able to get at least a partial refund. Any reputable auto transport company will understand that situations change and should be able to make adjustments for changes.
At PAL, we have seasonal customers that need to make changes to their schedules regularly, so we have a generous cancellation policy to help make it easier to get your car shipped when and how you want it.
In most cases, refunding your money for cancellation is easy if you paid with a credit card. This form of payment is easy to refund. However, any form of payment should be able to be refunded by any auto transport company. Just be sure to check the contract for stipulations or fees before booking your shipment.
What do I Need to Know Before Pickup and Delivery?
Another part of the contract you’ll want to pay close attention to is the pickup and delivery instructions. You don’t want the delivery truck to show up to load your car only to find out it can’t take the vehicle because it does not meet the requirements.
Additionally, having your car in pristine condition will help make the condition report clear. The condition report helps both you and the shipping company ensure the vehicle is in the same condition when it is delivered to the new location.
Let’s look over some basic things to expect for pickup and delivery in car shipping contracts.
Terms of Pickup and Delivery
The primary thing to watch for in car shipping contracts when it comes to pickup and delivery conditions is what is allowed to be in the vehicle at pickup and how much gas to have in the tank. Both of these requirements for pickup ensure that the truck is not going to surpass weight requirements and helps you prepare ahead of time.
Additionally, the shipping company will need to perform an inspection of the vehicle beforehand to ensure any possible damage in transit is easy to spot and log for insurance claims.
Details for Auto Transport Pickup and Delivery
The details for your auto transport pickup and delivery should also be clearly outlined in the contract. You’ll want to ensure there are places for your address, contact information, the times and dates of pickup and delivery, etc.
Keep in mind that although times and dates might be set for the pickup and delivery of your vehicle, the shipping industry is unpredictable, and delays are likely. The scheduled times are intended to help with communication, but they are subject to change. Being flexible with your shipping company is a great way to ensure a fantastic auto transport experience.
Who is Responsible if My Car Arrives Damaged?
Although it is incredibly unlikely that your car will arrive damaged after shipping, accidents happen in some cases. You’ll want to check your car shipping contract, so you’ll know who is liable before you book your shipment.
In most cases, the carrier’s insurance will cover any damage incurred while the vehicle is on the truck. If the company you’re using is reputable, rest assured that your car will be covered in full by the shipping company’s insurance.
Will I Need to Contact My Insurance When Shipping My Car?
So long as any existing damage on your vehicle is logged on the report before shipment, the shipping company’s insurance will cover the repairs if new damage occurs. All you have to do is file the damage claim, which any reputable company will help you with or do themselves. At PAL, we handle all damage claims for our customers internally. This ensures that you can rest easy and that the process goes smoothly from beginning to end every time.
Get The Best Rate on Car Shipping﹘ Request a Quote Today
If you’re ready to book a car shipping company for your upcoming move, give us a call at 877.542.1955. We’ll work with you to design a custom quote for your auto transport needs.
Sample Customer Reviews
“I recently bought a car from a dealership in Tampa, Florida. Everything went well until it came time for shipping. The dealership decided to use the Uconnect app as the only way for me to track my car. Unfortunately, the signal was lost during transport, and when I asked the salesman, he said he did not know where my car was, or when it would arrive, not the answer you want to receive. He eventually gave me Mr. Harlow’s contact, Colby was not only professional but kind and understanding. He told me where my car was, gave me an anticipated date, and offered to have the driver call me asap. Everyone has a job to do, but it’s rare to find excellent customer service provided in such a pleasant manner. My car arrived when anticipated, in great condition, with smiles from the transport team whom had been driving all day. Thank you, Preowned Auto Logistics, Mr. Colby Harlow, and Tito, I am one happy customer.”
– Kathleen Colbert Mackey
“I have shipped our cars from MA to CA and have used Preowned Auto Logistics, and they have “delivered” in all ways. Cars were picked up and delivered in time noted and all done with professionalism. Kerri Harris and her team handled our reservations without any issues, and the follow-up was nothing but perfect professionalism. I would highly recommend Preowned Auto Logistics.”
– Ann Greene
