It’s never been easier to ship a car. With online quotes and hundreds of options, the only difficult part is picking which trailer you want to ship with. However, most shipping companies ship hundreds of cars, and time is always a concern. That means even the most thorough shipping company may glance over some important documents that you really should know about. It’s not that they aren’t important; it’s just that most of the time they’re not really needed. Almost all cars arrive safely without any incidents. However, the strange anomaly may leave your car scratched, dinged, or worse. If this happens, you’ll be glad you took the extra time to familiarize yourself with these important documents.

Insurance Terms

If your shipping company doesn’t include their insurance rates right there in the quote, that’s a red flag. If they think they can make your shipment cheaper by not having insurance at all, run for the hills and don’t look back. They may try to convince you that your car’s current insurance will cover your vehicle. That’s not true in most cases. This means that your shipping company needs to have at least enough insurance to cover the cost of your car. If you’re shipping on a trailer that holds more than just your car, they need to have enough insurance to cover all the cars on the trailer.

For a good rule of thumb, most double-decker open transport trailers can hold up to ten cars. So you’re going to want to check to see if their insurance can cover your car times ten. However, if they’re shipping any luxury vehicles along with your car, make sure they have a little extra to cover the costs. This means your shipping company needs to carry a ton of insurance. Taking a quick glance can give you the peace of mind that your car is protected in the case of an incident.

The Bill of Lading

Most shippers will present this document as a type of receipt for your vehicle. However, it has more to do with the insurance than your transaction. If you’ve ever rented a car before, you already know how it works. When your driver arrives to pick up your vehicle, they’ll perform an inspection. In this inspection, they’ll check for any prior damage. They will mark all of this in the bill of lading. Then when your car arrives at the location, you’ll sign the bill of lading and be on your way. However, don’t sign just yet. You’re signing more than you think, and it’s not just confirming that your car arrived. You’re confirming that your car arrived in the same condition.

When your vehicle arrives, it’s time for you to perform your own inspection. Drivers are typically in a hurry and may try to rush you, but this is important. Take a moment to examine all aspects of your car. Let the driver know of any scratches you don’t recall. Once you’re done, only then should you sign. This is because insurance companies will look at the bill of lading as law. If you claim something that’s not on the bill of lading, they’ll dismiss your case. It will be exponentially more difficult to file a successful claim in the event that anything does go wrong.

Important Documents Only Matter if You Know How to Use Them.

Armed with this knowledge, you can have peace of mind knowing your vehicle is in good hands. Most of the time, your car will arrive safely, and these documents will merely be protocol. You won’t have to deal with insurance companies and you’ll be on your way. These only really matter if anything goes wrong during shipping.

If you’re still looking for a shipping company, give Car Transport Depot a call. They offer free quotes instantly online. The best part is that they include industry-leading insurance right there in the quote. With friendly drivers and a team of live customer support, they can help you with any issue that may arise during your shipment. Call today and see how easy it is to ship with Car Transport Depot.