Understand Minimum Auto Shipping Insurance Requirements

Legally authorized auto transporters are required to have liability insurance. You should make sure your transporter also offers cargo insurance. This means that your auto transporter, if properly insured, should cover any damage caused during the automobile shipping process after you pay the insurance deductible. The terms and amount of coverage can vary depending on the company, so it is best to carefully inspect your transporter’s coverage.

Be sure to ask a potential automobile shipping company for a copy their insurance certificate. They are legally required to provide this to you, and you should feel free to verify the information on the certificate with the insurance company or with the Department of Transportation at www.safersys.org.

Is The Minimum Enough?

Make sure that you are completely comfortable with the amount of coverage you have. While the amount of insurance required by law will offer you some protection, you may find that the minimum coverage offered by vehicle transport companies falls short of the true value of your car. Take responsibility for finding out the exact terms of your transporter’s insurance policy. Some questions you may want to ask about insurance include:

What type of damage is covered?

Are only specific parts of the car, like the body, covered?

Is there a deductible?

What is the limit of their coverage? (Most companies only cover the Kelley Blue Book value of the car)

Will specialty items such as spoilers or ground effects be covered?

Is there an option to purchase additional coverage?

How much will the deductible be for damage claims?

Check with your own auto insurance agent to see how much your personal insurance will cover when shipping a car. Your coverage may or may not cover your vehicle in transit. Regardless, it’s always a good idea to notify your insurance company that you are transporting your vehicle.

Vehicles transported through uShip are eligible for additional coverage through uShip Cargo Insurance. When accepting a bid, you have the option to purchase additional coverage. This policy is all-risk covering approved goods against damage, lost or stolen claims subject to the terms and exclusions of the policy.

If You Need to Make a Claim

Inspect your car thoroughly at delivery. According to Dean Xeros, an industry expert and the VP of Sales, GM – Motors & Relocation at uShip, this time is critical because it is your only window of opportunity to asses for damage. If you cannot be present at the delivery, assign the task of assessing for damage to a trusted representative. In the unlikely event that your car was delivered with damages from shipping, make specific notes on the “Bill of Lading” at delivery and have the driver sign the form before accepting the car. Taking pictures is always a good idea when documenting damages. If the car is delivered at night, inspect the car under bright lights and bring along a flashlight.

In all likelihood, your car will be delivered in the same condition it was dropped off. If there are damages, contact your shipping and insurance companies immediately. You should have no problems if you have carefully inspected your transporter’s insurance policy. A respectable shipping company will want to resolve your complaint as quickly as possible. If you feel like you are being treated unfairly, you can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and any professional organizations the company belongs to. Remember, this is an unlikely scenario. If you take some time to research your auto shipping company and properly prepare your car for transport, you are almost guaranteed a painless shipping experience.