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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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