Expert Tips for Shipping A Car

May 28, 2024 – POSTED UNDER: Uncategorized

The most important task when shipping a car is choosing a reliable licensed carrier with a good track record and full insurance.

Welcome to the Expert Guide to Auto Transport!

Hiring the right shipping company to transport your car could mean the difference between getting your car when promised without any damage to not getting your car at all. In these times of hacking and phishing scams, it has never been easier for thieves to masquerade as legitimate auto transporters. Our founder started Shipper.com after his new Ferrari was stolen by thieves who impersonated a carrier. The shipping broker he was using did not properly vet this carrier and verify their insurance. The fake carrier presented a forged insurance certificate to the broker, and stole the car they were suppose to be transporting.

Unfortunately stories like these are all too common these days, and the only thing standing between you getting your car delivered or it being stolen is a diligent shipping agent whose job it is to make sure the carrier is real and can be trusted.

How to Choose the Right Auto Shipping Company

There are several important steps when selecting an auto transporter. The first and obvious step is to make sure they are properly licensed by the DOT. Click here to look up if a company is licensed as a motor carrier by the US Department Of Transportation. The second and equally important step is to make sure the people you are talking to at this carrier are actually connected to the company that holds the license, mainly the contact phone numbers and email addresses match the info on the license. If this step is not properly taken, you can fall victim to a scammer who is passing themselves off as a legitimate carrier only to load your car on the truck and never be heard from again. Yes, this does happen, and unfortunately not too infrequently.

The final step is to verify the carrier’s insurance policy to make sure they are covered for the type of transport they are offering. In order to do this, you must ask them to send you a proof of their insurance coverage detailing the liability limits. Their liability limits should be equal or greater than the value of the car being transported. If the coverage is sufficient, and you decide to hire this carrier, you should ask them to put your name on their insurance policy as a loss payee to guarantee that your car will be covered if anything happens during transport. Once you receive an updated insurance certificate with your name listed as a loss payee, you should call the agent or company listed at the top right to verify that this policy exists and that the carrier actually added you to their policy for the transport you are hiring them for.