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1. PRICE. The first question you'll want answered is
"what is the total cost?". Obtain quotes from several car transport and auto driveaway
companies and be prepared
to provide:
- origination/destination
- approximate departure date
- type of vehicle(s)
- type of car transport service desired (e.g., door-to-door car transport vs. terminal-to-terminal)
- special car transport services (e.g., enclosed car transport)
2. PAYMENT METHOD. While some car transport and auto driveaway companies may not require
payment in advance, others require a deposit (10-25%
of the total cost), or full payment in advance. If a deposit is given,
amount due is always required at time of delivery oftentimes with a cashiers check or cash.
Sometimes a surcharge of 2-3% is required when using a credit card with a car transport or
auto driveaway company.
3. CONTRACT. READ YOUR CONTRACT CAREFULLY!!! IMPORTANT NOTE!!! Do not rely on any verbal promises from your car
transport company.
After you sign your contract, your car transport
company will ALWAYS refer you to the contract for any complaints you may have, including cost to cancel your shipment.
The main thing to look for is a clause that says
there is no guaranteed pickup or delivery date. Even though most cars are delivered by car transport companies
within the expected timeframe,
most will not guarantee a delivery date. You can ask for the following things to protect yourself against verbal promises that you would have otherwise
relied upon (also see #5 below):
- Ask for a contract clause (in writing) that waives the cancellation fee if the car is not picked up by your
car transport company within some number of
days of the scheduled pickup date. If you cancel within the alloted window, expect to
pay some fee, which may vary from $50 to $250. Although most cars are picked up on the scheduled date or within a few
days of that date, a 1 or 2 week delay may occassionally happen. Your cancellation clause should allow for at least
a week beyond scheduled pickup date.
- It is difficult for any car transport company to promise a delivery date, however, if your car transport company
offers a guarantee that covers a rental car, find out the cost of the guarantee (if any) and the maximum dollars
per day covered.
4. INSURANCE. Your vehicle(s) should be insured against damage and theft by
your car transport company or auto driveaway. ASK FOR A COPY OF INSURANCE COVERAGE.
Ask if the carrier's insurance is PRIMARY or
SECONDARY to your own insurance in the event of damage during car transport.
Also ask if there is a damage deductible VERIFY ALL IN WRITING.
In addition, your own car insurance
may cover your vehicle in transit check with your car insurance company to verify.
Keep in mind that many car transport and auto driveaway companies
may discourage or prohibit you from leaving personal articles in your vehicle.
Any personal articles left in the car are not insured your home policy
may cover these articles, but you should check with your home insurance agent to verify. ALSO
NOTE THAT OVERLOADING YOUR TRUNK WITH HEAVY ITEMS MAY RESULT IN DAMAGE TO YOUR CAR'S
UNDERCARRIAGE. Your car transport or auto driveaway company may not cover damage in that
instance.
5. PICK-UP AND DELIVERY DATES. Ask for estimated pick-up and delivery times from
your car transport or auto driveaway company. You should be
able to get a 3-day window for pick-up during the busy summer or snow bird season the
window may be larger, but the car transport or auto driveaway company should warn you of
possible delays ahead of
time. BE SKEPTICAL OF EXACT PICK-UP AND DELIVERY DATES PROMISED BY CAR TRANSPORT AND AUTO
DRIVEAWAY COMPANIES IF YOU ARE PROMISED
EXACT DATES, GET IT IN WRITING AND STATE THE REMEDY
IF SERVICE IS NOT PERFORMED ON PROMISED DATES ($50 discount, no fee to cancel, reimbursement
for rental car, etc.)
. Once pick-up is made, your car transport or auto driveaway company should provide you with
a fairly precise delivery date. If you need
an exact date for pick-up, most car transport and auto driveaway services can pick-up your
car and hold it at a terminal for an additional charge.
6. REFERENCES. While we do our best to exclude poor-quality car transport and
auto driveaway companies, we unfortunately cannot guarantee quality of performance of those companies
listed. BEFORE SELECTING A
COMPANY, we recommend that you contact the Better Business Bureau in the city in
which the car transport or auto driveaway company is listed to inquire about the company's
service history. Also, many car transport and auto driveaway companies are
referred by van line companies. Ask for several references, if possible.
7. SAYING GOODBYE TO YOUR CAR. Prior to leaving your car with a driver or car transport
company, be sure you receive an "Original Inspection Report." This report provides pick-up
and delivery information, current mileage, and MOST IMPORTANTLY shows the condition
of your car at time of pick-up pre-existing scratches and dents, cracked glass/mirrors,
general paint condition, etc. Keep this report and use it when you receive your vehicle.
8. ACCEPTING YOUR VEHICLE FOR DELIVERY. At the time of delivery, inspect your vehicle
SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY and
compare the condition and mileage against the "Original Inspection Report" provided by your
car transport company at origination (ALSO INSPECT THE ROOF AND UNDER FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS). If
there are inconsistencies, note them as exceptions and be sure the driver signs it. NEVER
ACCEPT YOUR VEHICLE AT NIGHT IF YOU CANNOT VERIFY ITS CONDITION without being viewed and signed
by the driver, you have little recourse if damage had occurred during transit.
9. IF DAMAGE SHOULD OCCUR. The majority of car transport experiences are worry-free, with
your damage-free vehicle arriving at the estimated time. On occassion, a vehicle may become
damaged in transit. If this should happen, note all damage on your inspection report (see item
above), obtain the driver's signature, and contact your car transport company. The car transport
company should then work with you to reimburse you for verifiable damage done to your car.
10. DISPUTES. If you believe that a car transport or auto driveaway company has not
treated you fairly, first
try to work it out with the company. Car transport and auto driveaway
companies are more likely to cooperate with you if they believe you are trying to work fairly
with them. Be reasonable, but firm. If all else fails, you may consider filing a complaint with the
Better Business Bureau in the city in which the car transport or auto driveaway company is
listed. The U.S. Dept. of Transportation http://www.dot.gov regulates car
transport companies however they will usually not get involved until after you have a
court judgement against a car transport company (in small claims court, for example).
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